Kadaster Releases Open-Source Map Software to Boost Digital Government Efficiency

The Dutch Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster) has made its mapping software publicly available as open source, aiming to reduce duplication of effort and accelerate the development of digital map applications across the public sector. Building accurate and accessible digital maps is a complex task, particularly for government organisations. In addition to factual accuracy, modern map systems must comply with strict European accessibility standards (WCAG), ensuring usability for all citizens, including people with visual impairments.

To prevent each public institution from investing separately in similar digital infrastructure, Kadaster has opened the source code of its mapping solution. The so-called Generic Geo Components (GGC) are now freely available for public use.

These components provide ready-to-use building blocks that allow local authorities and other organisations to develop their own map applications more easily and efficiently. Kadaster itself has been using the technology for years in widely used public services such as the WOZ value portal and the PDOK viewer.

Lower costs, higher impact

Developing digital mapping systems requires specialised expertise in data standardisation and digital accessibility. For smaller municipalities and organisations, this expertise is often expensive or difficult to access.

By making the technology freely available, Kadaster aims to lower these barriers. Organisations with limited development capacity can implement the components directly, saving both time and public funds. According to Kadaster, these savings can then be redirected towards major societal priorities such as nature conservation and accelerating housing development.

For citizens, the initiative also brings direct benefits: government services will be able to present consistent, reliable maps across different platforms, improving usability and trust.

Towards a more open and transparent digital government

The decision to open-source the GGC components is part of a broader government strategy focused on reuse, open standards, and “data at the source” principles. This approach aims to create a more transparent and cost-efficient digital public sector.

By opening up its software, Kadaster hopes to set a new standard for public organisations and significantly reduce unnecessary duplication and IT costs across the sector.

Source: Dutch IT Leaders