<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Roads are one of the most important infrastructural objects for each country. Slow development of third world countries is partially influenced by missing roads. Therefore, United Nation (UN) enlisted them inside the ninth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) whose achievement highly relies on geospatial data. Since the authoritative data for the majority of developing countries are incomplete and unavailable, the focus of this study is on free data. The conveyed research, explained in this paper, was divided in two parts. The first one refers to completeness and positional accuracy assessment of three different road data sets (freely available). The second part was focused only on OpenStreetMap (OSM) since it showed the best results in the previous stage. Thus, OSM was used to compute (in the second part of the research) and analyse the road accessibility rate within the buffer zone of two kilometers from human settlements. To locate human settlements, raster data, representing land covers were used. Results are pointing where the infrastructure is not mapped or is not present. The complete work was done using Free and Open Source Software, which is important, since the proposed procedure can be implemented by anyone.</p>

Abstract. Collaborative projects imply a wide variety of skills, ranging from technical abilities to teamwork and problem-solving attitudes. Innovative teaching programmes focused on the use and promotion of open-source geospatial tools represent a key element in developing such transversal abilities. OpenStreetMap (OSM) brings into play open and collaborative dynamics that build a critical ecosystem where single contributions are part of collective intelligence. This initiative led to the foundation of structured contributors groups such as PoliMappers, the first European YouthMappers chapter based in Politecnico di Milano (Italy). Pursuing the objective to build a responsible student-led community of Free and Open Source Software users, in 2021 PoliMappers organised the course entitled “Collaborative and Humanitarian Mapping”. The programme is structured into 7 meetings and aims to introduce university students to the OSM environment with a focus on the potential of open data and related geospatial tools, especially in the humanitarian field. It has seen the participation of the World Food Programme, Open Knowledge Foundation, TECHO Colombia, IMM Design Lab, Map for Future, UN Mappers, Spazio Vita Niguarda Onlus, Ledha Milano, AUS Niguarda Onlus and Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team. Enrolled attendants’ contributions have been assessed with tools for quality review and statistics. Also, Q&amp;As and suggestions to the attendants have been collected to detect common issues. The paper presents the course, from the design to the assessment of the students’ activities, and the lessons learned in this experience in such a way to provide some guidance to those who want to organize similar initiatives.

Abstract. The onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020 changed the approach to work, research, and study. This period has been a wake-up call for public administrations, the private sector, and the academic community, to digitise their data. In Italy, digital and information technologies for the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage, which were an imperative for more than a decade, have been accelerated. This paper aims to collect and to process openly available data on patrimony from OpenStreetMap and the Lombardian Geoportal. The study is divided into two phases: a simple statistical analysis of cultural heritage in Monza is obtained, and the results are presented graphically. Firstly, built-in tools and Python Console of QGIS are evaluated, to filter attributes and add geometrical values to the downloaded material. Secondly, plug-in DataPlotly and an online coding application named Replit are assessed. The results are presented and compared in terms of their flexibility, quality of visual representation, customisation, and simplicity of use. Tools developed through and for QGIS are easy to use and available to everyone. Additionally, coding applications can be integrated for more refined results. This approach fosters interdisciplinarity, bridges the gap between professionals and non-expert users of GIS, and opens a range of opportunities for future collaborations. The citizen, as a mapper, can be involved in the administrative decision-making process, contributing with data collected in situ. Collaboration between these two sides can potentially produce the better for evaluating the contemporary built environment and its undividable part of cultural heritage.

Abstract. This paper aims at presenting the recording and modelling work developed in the framework of restoration and conservation activities for the Basilica di San Giacomo in Como, Italy, whose construction started in the 11th century. The project started in 2022 and involved the application of the Historical Building Information Model (HBIM) methodology through a Scan-to-BIM approach was assessed. High-detailed 3D survey techniques were used to acquire the specific shape of the church and annexed buildings. Then, through different modelling strategies, the HBIM environment allowed the representation of all the architectural elements. The purpose of this model is to have essential support to plan the restoration activities and to give the different experts involved a single three-dimensional tool for managing all the information during the development of the construction works. The possibility to update the model over time with geometric and non-geometric information will provide a powerful tool also for other future activities, such as the installation of a monitoring system that could reveal the displacements of bearing elements of the church.

Abstract. Founded by Romans, Vimercate had an important geographical position in Lombardy. Layers of history are visible throughout the town, yet there is the inconsistency of historical data and neglect of the historical centre in the past decades. Only recently researchers and professors from Politecnico di Milano pointed out the importance of studying layers of history in the built environment. In the past years, Vimercate was used as an example for students from masters and bachelor courses in preservation studios. This is where the idea for the master’s thesis was developed which focuses on the collection, digitalisation and investigation of primary historical cartography and then other historical documents. Historical cartography can offer extensive knowledge about the past of this town and it is one of the main sources of information. For the creation of the project was selected free and open-source software QGIS where the selected historical maps were vectorised, compared and investigated. A new understanding of the development of the city was studied and some discoveries appeared. Effective application of the thesis project started in the courses of Architectural preservation studio at Politecnico di Milano. This was followed by the interest of citizens in the project who were actively participated in the creation of the same. Other stakeholders showed interest in involving in future developments. The thesis found its application in didactic activities of students and pupils.