Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson is an associate professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management (GEM) at the University of Waterloo. His research seeks to understand how governments, citizens, and private companies share information through geospatial technology, including open data, the geoweb, social media, mobile devices, and the process of crowdsourcing.

• Geographic information science

• Open data

• Public interest technology

• Use of technology in government

• Crowdsourcing

• Mobile data

• Spatial data infrastructures

• Planning support systems

• Technology adoption

Research on maps and technology for public benefit

The Waterloo Civic Map Lab is a research team focused on how geospatial technologies and data are used to meet the needs of community, government, and civic organizations. Student researchers at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral) work to create applied and theoretical research that matters - understanding the challenges, benefits, and issues created by civic technologies.

The Waterloo Civic Map Lab is led by Dr. Peter Johnson, in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management (GEM). Recent projects focus on understanding the value of government open data, the integration of volunteered geographic information in government, and citizen participation in smart city projects.

If you are interested in joining us, please take a look at the topics we research, recent blog posts, and instructions to prospective students at the following site:

https://uwaterloo.ca/civic-map-lab/

For a current listing of Dr. Johnson's publications, please see his Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=14Ov5mYAAAAJ&hl=en

• ENVS 274 - Special Topics in Environment
  • Taught in 2025
• GDS 187 - Geospatial Data Science
  • Taught in 2026
• GDS 287 - Geospatial Data Collection and Management
  • Taught in 2026
• GEOG 187 - Geospatial Data Science
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• GEOG 281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Taught in 2023, 2025
• GEOG 381 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • Taught in 2022, 2023
• GEOG 483 - Civic Technology and Digital Infrastructures
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023
• GEOG 600 - Foundations in Spatial Data Handling
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• GEOG 675 - Selected Topics in Geography
  • Taught in 2023
• GEOG 683 - Civic Technology and Digital Infrastructures
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023
• PLAN 281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Taught in 2023, 2025
• PLAN 381 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • Taught in 2022, 2023

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

• For a current listing of Dr. Johnson's publications, please see his Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=14Ov5mYAAAAJ&hl=en

• 2025. Robinson, P.J. and Johnson, P.A. Strava Metro Data as an Urban Planning Input: Seizing Opportunities and Managing Limitations. International Journal of E-Planning Research. 14(1). 1-14.

• 2024. Robinson, P., Johnson, P., & Vernooy, M. Strava Metro Data: how can urban planning leverage crowdsourced fitness activity data? Canadian Planning and Policy Aménagement Et Politique Au Canada. 2024(1), 90–108.

• 2023. Johnson, P.A., Scassa, T. Who owns the map? Data sovereignty and government spatial data collection, use, and dissemination. Transactions in GIS. 27(1), 275-289.

• 2023. Philpot, S., Hipel, K., and Johnson, P.A. Analysing and anticipating conflict using a values-centred online survey. Environmental Values. 32(5), 579-609.

• 2022. Philpot, S. Philpot, C., Hipel, K. and Johnson, P.A. Proposal, design, and evaluation of a values-based online survey. EURO Journal on Decision Processes. 10, 100015.

• 2021. Khan, Z.T. and Johnson, P.A. Coproducing spatial information: Exploring government approaches and motivations at the local level. JeDEM - eJournal of eDemocracy and Open Government. 13(2), 110-132.

• 2021. Robinson, P.J., and Johnson, P.A. Pandemic-driven Technology Adoption: Public decision-makers need to tread cautiously. International Journal of E-Planning Research. 10(2), 59-65

• 2021. Acedo, A., Santa, F., and Johnson, P.A. Place and people: Spatializing degrees of bonding and bridging social capital in Lisbon (Portugal). Geojournal. 86, 2905-2925.

• 2020. Johnson, P.A., Robinson, P.J., and Philpot, S. Type, tweet, tap, and pass: How smart city technology is creating a transactional citizen. Government Information Quarterly. 37(1). 101414.