Paradigm unveils its new geocoding API at FOSS4G
On 15 October 2026, Belgian open-source mapping experts gathered in Brussels for FOSS4G Belgium. Dedicated to free and open-source software for mapping and geographic data, the conference featured a series of presentations, hands-on workshops and a map gallery
Paradigm’s new geocoding API
Paradigm presented its new geocoding API through its expert, Benoît Fricheteau. Geocoding makes it possible to locate an address using geographic coordinates. The API is built on the authentic Brussels address register, which complies with the BeSt Address standard used by all three Belgian regions.
The API allows users to:
· search for an address, street, municipality or place, such as a park, cemetery or monument;
· perform a free-text or structured search, or retrieve an address from coordinates;
· receive results in JSON or XML, together with a relevance score.
The API is documented in French and Dutch on the datastore and can be integrated into any IT application.
From mid-November onwards, the API will cover all Belgian addresses. These addresses can then be linked to statistical sectors and cadastral parcels. Visit datastore.brussels to use the API.
A day of knowledge-sharing around geographic data
Throughout the day, speakers showed how geographic data can address practical needs: locating an address more accurately, updating information in the field and monitoring how an area evolves over time.
Several presentations focused on data quality, especially address data. High-quality data is essential for positioning a building correctly or directing an intervention to the right location. Collaborative data collection with QGIS and Mergin Maps also showed how teams can enrich and update their data directly in the field. Sessions on OpenStreetMap and vector tiles explored ways to reuse open data and display it in mapping applications.
Artificial intelligence also featured on the programme. Brussels Mobility presented a geospatial tool designed for Brussels, while the National Geographic Institute showcased a project that detects changes using aerial photographs.
These examples open up new opportunities to make data easier to use and to track changes across the territory. Projects such as BruWater, which focuses on surface water and groundwater data in the Brussels-Capital Region, also highlighted the value of making geographic information accessible to support knowledge and the management of our environment.