Beyond Pins On a Map: Visualizing Connected Data at Scale

Session track: Data Intelligence

Session time: 03:30 pm - 04:00 pm UTC November 12

Session description:

Geospatial graph visualisation sounds simple: place nodes on a map and draw the links between them. In practice, combining network structure with geographic context introduces a surprising number of technical and design challenges. Choices around mapping technology, rendering architecture, clustering and interaction can significantly impact both performance and user experience. In this session, you'll explore the key approaches to combining graphs and maps, including popular mapping frameworks such as Leaflet or MapLibre. Together, we'll compare different integration models, from graph overlays and map-native rendering to synchronized side-by-side experiences. We'll examine challenges such as semantic zooming, clustering and grouping, handling co-located or non-geographic entities, and visualising large networks across geographic space. By the end, you'll understand the trade-offs behind common geospatial graph visualisation approaches, what challenges to expect when implementing them, and how to choose the right architecture for your use case.