A Foundation for a Decentralized User-centric Web Mapping : The Hyper-Layering Architecture

[satakagi]

Session description

The World Wide Web is at a critical juncture, facing increasing centralization and the loss of its original decentralized philosophy. This breakout session will propose a new approach to web mapping that not only addresses the need for a modern, interoperable map standard, but also serves as a model for shifting the entire Web's paradigm from centralization back to a self-organizing, user-centric model.

We will introduce the Hyper-Layering Architecture (HLA), a philosophy that has been under development since 1996 and submitted to SVGWG in 2011. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on a single, centralized service or data format, HLA leverages existing Web principles to enable a decentralized, flexible, and powerful web mapping system. This session is in scope for a breakout as it addresses core web architectural principles (decentralization, user control) described in the W3C's Ethical Web Principles and Vision for W3C, and their application to a new, native content type (maps).

We understand and respect the work of the Maps in HTML Community Group, with whom we have been in discussion for many years. However, we also believe there remains a non-negligible philosophical gap between our two approaches.

Session goal

The goal is to present the Hyper-Layering Architecture (HLA) as a philosophical foundation for a decentralized, user-centric web. We aim to initiate a constructive dialogue on how we can align future web mapping standards with the W3C's Ethical Web Principles and Vision for W3C. We also seek to explore potential collaboration points with the Maps in HTML Community Group and other stakeholders to pave the way for a unified proposal that leverages existing web standards to their fullest potential.

Shared slides:

https://svgmap.org/movie/TPAC2025/index_HLA_breakout.html

Minutes:

https://www.w3.org/2025/11/12-svgmap-minutes.html

Additional session chairs (Optional)

No response

Who can attend

Anyone may attend (Default)

Instructions for meeting planners (Optional)

Desired dates: November 10, 11, or 12.

Note: While unrelated to the content, please avoid scheduling it during #31 s time slot since members are likely participating in both.

IRC channel (Optional)

#svgmap

Agenda for the meeting.

• Introduction to the Hyper-Layering Architecture (HLA) and its philosophy.
• Layers as Web Apps (LaWA): How can we integrate diverse data sources using existing Web technologies?
• Leveraging and Extending Existing Browser Standards: The Roles of svg and the map Tag
• The philosophical case for decentralization in web mapping and the broader Web.
• Q&A and discussion on next steps.

Scheduling conflicts to avoid (For meeting planners only)

• Originator Profile Overview and further discussions #31
• Future of the Open Web #37

Links to calendar

• Wednesday, 10:00 - 11:00

Meeting materials

• Minutes

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