Vector Datasets and Vector Files
What Is a Vector Dataset?
A Vector Dataset is a named container for spatial geometry — the collection of points, lines, or polygons rendered on the map. Scenarios reference a Vector Dataset to obtain their spatial geometry.
Adding a New Vector Dataset
- Go to Datasets → Vector Datasets → + Add Vector Dataset.
- Fill in the metadata fields (see the fields table below).
- Click Save. You can then upload Vector Files.
Vector Dataset Fields Reference
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name / Name (PT) | Unique name (max 155 chars). Supports EN/PT translations. |
| Description / Description (PT) | Optional abstract. Supports translations. |
Data Owner (source) | Optional attribution (max 155 chars). |
Point of Contact (contact) | Optional contact person or team. |
Publication Date (published) | Optional date the dataset was published at the source. |
| Temporal Extent | Optional time period the data covers (e.g. "2020–2024"). |
| CRS | Optional. Document the source CRS (e.g. "EPSG:4326"). All files are reprojected to EPSG:4326 during processing. |
| Maintenance Frequency | Optional. How often the dataset is updated at the source. |
| Lineage | Optional. Data provenance or processing notes. |
| Legal License | Optional. Licence under which the data is provided. |
| Attribute Definitions | Optional. Link or note describing the attribute schema. |
| Is Public | Superuser only. If ticked, dataset visible to unauthenticated users. |
| Is Approved | Superuser only. Must be approved before the dataset can be used in Scenarios or shown on the frontend. |
Adding Vector Files
Uploading triggers a Celery task: file → FlatGeobuf (GDAL) → PMTiles (Tippecanoe).
- Go to Datasets → Vector Files → + Add Vector File.
- Select the parent Vector Dataset.
- Upload a file. Accepted formats:
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
.geojson | GeoJSON. Must use WGS84 (EPSG:4326). Preferred format. |
.gpkg | GeoPackage. Fully supported. |
.zip | ZIP archive containing a Shapefile (.shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj). |
.kml | Keyhole Markup Language. Fully supported. |
- Click Save. Processing begins automatically.
Monitoring File Processing
Status: Created → Processing → Ready (or Error). If a file enters Error state, open the record and read the Error Message. Use Reprocess files to re-queue.
Publishing a Dataset
Only superusers can publish datasets. Select datasets in the list view and use the Actions dropdown:
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Make dataset public | Sets is_public = True |
| Make dataset private | Sets is_public = False |
| Publish dataset | Sets is_approved = True |
| Unpublish dataset | Sets is_approved = False |
Visibility rule
A dataset is visible to unauthenticated users only when both is_public = True AND is_approved = True. Authenticated users can see any dataset where is_approved = True, regardless of is_public.