From Hyper-Layering to Practical SVGMap: AppLayers & Community Updates
2026-03-26 22:00 - 23:00 (Etc/UTC) | Online
https://www.w3.org/events/meetings/ebda7af1-1b21-43e1-977d-faa46283dc70/

At TPAC 2025, we [introduced the Hyper-Layering Architecture (HLA)](https://svgmap.org/movie/TPAC2025/index_HLA_breakout.html) as a Web-native approach to spatial integration. Since then, a [Hyper-Layering Architecture Draft Community Report](https://svgmap.org/movie/TPAC2025/HyperLayeringArchitectureCommunityReport.html) has been published, and related discussions are continuing within the [Maps for HTML Community Group](https://www.w3.org/groups/cg/maps4html/).

This session shifts the focus from architectural discussion to **practical progress**.

[SVGMap](https://svgmap.org/movie/TPAC2025/index_HLA_breakout.html) and its reference implementation (SVGMap.js) provide a lightweight, client-side foundation reflecting HLA principles. Recent momentum has centered on the growing ecosystem of **ready-to-use layers** collected in [svgmapAppLayers](https://github.com/svgmap/svgmapAppLayers), along with practical [tutorials](https://github.com/svgmap/tutorials).

We refer to this model as *Layers as WebApps (LaWA)* — treating each map layer as an independent Web application that can be combined directly in the browser.

This session will be an informal, interactive meetup focused on demos, international community updates, and sharing real-world layers that are ready to use today.

The session will be conducted primarily in English, with Japanese support if needed (slides can include bilingual elements)

##### Format
Informal meetup style:
- Short intro & updates (10–15 min)
- Lightning talks / participant shares (15–20 min)
- Open discussion, live demos, and idea jam (rest of time)
- Tools: Browser (SVGMap demo pages), IRC/Zoom chat for links & questions
- Real-time scribing on IRC (W3C bots will handle minutes)
- If recording the session, consent will be sought at the start

##### Why at Breakouts Day?
- Strong alignment with Web geospatial interests (SVG WG, Spatio-temporal Data on the Web CG/IG topics)
- Focus on practical, open, client-side tools that anyone can try instantly
- Opportunity to grow an international community around ready-to-use map layers
- Encourage cross-pollination: "If you have geospatial data, let's make it a LaWA layer!"

##### Related Links
- tutorials: https://github.com/svgmap/tutorials
- svgmapAppLayers overview & catalog: https://deepwiki.com/svgmap/svgmapAppLayers
- SVGMap repo: https://github.com/svgmap

Looking forward to your thoughts, emoji reactions :+1:, or "I'd like to join/share my layer!" comments!

**Goal(s):**
Share practical progress on HLA and SVGMap since TPAC 2025 and gather community feedback.

Agenda

- **[svgmapAppLayers](https://github.com/svgmap/svgmapAppLayers) Highlights** (LaWA concept demo)
- Philosophy: Framework is the engine; Layers are the real content (246+ layers across 13 categories)
- Japanese expansions: JMA weather radar, MLIT hazard/flood maps, river CCTV, evacuation sites, medical POI, seismic data, etc.
- [Canadian svgMapAppLayers](https://github.com/svgmap/canadianSvgmapAppLayers/) kickoff (early international content efforts)
- Global integrations: NASA FIRMS fires, NOAA nowCOAST, yr.no weather tiles, Sentinel-2, USGS earthquakes, OSM basemaps, etc.
- Lightning round: Participants share their own recent layer additions / tweaks (bring your permalink!)

- **[Tutorial](https://github.com/svgmap/tutorials) Internationalization Progress**
- Making tutorials "immediately usable" guides (layer creation, CSV/GeoJSON import, dynamic tiles, etc.)
- English + Japanese (and plans for more languages) to lower barriers for global users
- Feedback wanted: What tutorial gaps exist for newcomers?

- **Live Demos & Interactive Part**
- Browser-only demos: Load layers via permalink, overlay data, play with filters/time animation
- Community sharing: "What data would you like to layer next?" or "I made this layer — here's the link!"
- Q&A and brainstorming for future layers / improvements

**Materials:**
- [slides](https://svgmap.github.io/presentations/breakouts-day-2026-W3C/)
- [Session proposal on GitHub](https://github.com/w3c/breakouts-day-2026/issues/5)
