Being familiar with the SANDAG data (and less so, its import into
OSM), the importation of landuse polygons into OSM (having done a
number of these myself in California), Escondido proper (been there
many times) and the various ways that California cities grow (often
with low density, urban sprawl and heavy dependence on
automobiles...), Escondido doesn't look all that "bad" to me in OSM.
In fact, especially in its commercial areas, it is one of
California's better-looking cities in OSM (in my opinion).
What Hans calls a "mega residential area" is actually local zoning
which says that all properties (parcels) in a given area are zoned
residential. While not strictly true that each square meter of this
area has residential buildings upon it where people live, it is true
that each square meter of this area is ZONED residential. In my
opinion, this is a "loosely correct" way that OSM might represent a
particular area, though I am quick to add that "capturing zoning with
landuse= is a good first step to avoid large blank areas, but actual
on-the-ground data are preferred to simple zoning (landuse=) when
on-the-ground data are also known." (I have said exactly this for
many years in our Santa Cruz County wiki).
So, while we might leave these polygon data alone, we might also
agree (somewhat strenuously) that a better job of adding actual
building polygons that represent dwellings (houses, apartments,
condominiums, dormitories...) is an excellent next step as welcome
additions to OSM. Especially as they might contain building:levels
tags, these can provide a visual representation of the density of
urban areas which distinctly are "landuse=residential" much better
than can Escondido's current representation of simply "gray coloring
punctuated by streets." In fact, it can be seen that some buildings
have been added, and some have not.
Call it a work in progress. OSM, Escondido and Escondido-in-OSM,
that is. One brick (building, train station, bike route, pub, park
bench...) at a time.
SteveA
California
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