Gerard Mateu Porras Cantons

GIS Specialist & Developer | Geo-ICT, Web-GIS, Geo-data & Cartography

Utrecht, Netherlands

About me

GIS Developer with a strong foundation in GEO-IT, skilled in making sense of spatial data analysis and bringing it to life through web applications. A collaborative professional dedicated to continuous learning, clear communication, and leveraging the latest technology to tackle complex challenges.

Work Experience

Ordina - Sopra Steria

Geospatial Developer

Mar 2024 - Present
As a Geospatial developer and GIS Specialist I work in different internal projects related to the geospatial and IT domain.
- Working in the Front-end of an internal AI tool.
- Collaborating with Utrecht's Landscape Foundation as a GIS Specialist to create dashboards and online maps, increasing awareness and insights into landscape changes.
The People Group

GIS Developer

Jan 2023 - Feb 2024
During this time, along with three other developers, I worked in developing and maintaining a modular Web-GIS application (with React). In addition, we implemented an intuitive configuration interface with Angular, allowing clients to easily customize the viewer. This challenge demanded knowledge in web development and geographic information systems (GIS), as well as proficiency in agile methodologies and GIS technologies, including GeoServer and PostGIS.
- Used TypeScript, React, Leaflet, and Redux to develop a robust WebGIS application, focusing on performance and user experience.
- Applied Figma and Inkscape to design intuitive and interactive GIS web interfaces, emphasizing usability and aesthetic appeal.
- Employed Scrum and Azure DevOps for project management, ensuring efficient workflow and team collaboration throughout the development cycle.
- Administered PostGIS, GeoServer, and Docker to manage spatial data effectively, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
- Engaged in the design of new basemaps using the Maputnik editor.
- Agile
- GeoServer
- PostGIS
- JavaScript
- React
- Docker
- Git
- React
- Angular
- Figma
- Leaflet
- CSS
GIS Specialisten - TPG

GIS Specialist

Jan 2022 - Jan 2023
I participated in a wide range of geo-information and geo-ICT projects. The position required a versatile skill set, including data analysis, mapping, process automation, spatial database management, and supporting the development team with various programming tasks
- Created data workflows integrating PostGIS databases with GeoServer for visualization and management.
- Engaged in the development of automated browser-based tests using Selenium and Python.
- Engaged in various data and spatial analysis projects. Data manipulation, transformation and analysis using Python, PostGIS, geopandas, FME, QGIS and ArcGIS Pro.
- Offered technical support to the development team, specially with Python, React and GIS data.
- Qgis
- Python
- PostGIS
- FME
- ArcGIS Pro
- JavaScript
- AGOL
- GeoPandas
- OGC Standards
GIS Specialisten - TPG

Web-GIS Developer Intern

Jun 2021 - Dec 2021
During my 6 months internship, I was part of a small development team of 4. My main project focused on spatio-temporal data visualization in a Web-GIS application. The organization identified a need for a tool to represent the temporal dimension of geo-data, given its relevance in multi-temporal spatial datasets.
- Reviewed literature on Web-GIS and spatio-temporal data visualization and became acquainted with essential tools.
- Engaged in front-end and back-end development, utilizing React and Redux for UI and state management, Leaflet for mapping, and GeoServer for backend data services.
- Designed the application with functional, reusable components to incorporate a timeline tool, enhancing scalability and maintainability through modular frontend development.
- Qgis
- Python
- PostGIS
- JavaScript
- Remote Sensing
- GEE
- TypeScript
- React
Cartography & GIS Service - Universitat de Lleida

Junior GIS Technician

Sep 2017 - Dec 2018
This role was situated within an academic context, offering support across various geographical and spatial research projects. Our work catered to both internal clients, such as professors from different university departments, and external stakeholders. Working part-time at 20 hours per week, I managed to balance this role with my academic studies, bridging the gap between academic research and real-world GIS applications.
- I converted traditional maps into digital formats, making sure they were accurate and easy to use.
- Used ArcMap extensively for creating and analyzing maps, helping to visualize geographic data.
- Used Adobe Illustrator to improve map designs, making them both beautiful and scientifically accurate.
- Used Excel for organizing and analyzing spatial data, ensuring accuracy and usefulness for research.
- Qgis
- Excel
- ArcMap
- Adobe Illustrator
- Cartography
- Spatial Analysis
- Data Management

Education

TYC GIS Academy

Jan 2023 - May 2023
Web GIS Specialization

Intensive 240-hour course conducted by TYC GIS Formación. Throughout the course, the field of Web GIS was extensively explored, providing comprehensive training that ranged from fundamental concepts to the handling of advanced tools and technologies.
- Leaflet
- OpenLayers
- GeoServer
- PostGIS
- MapBox
- Carto
- JavaScript
- ESRI API
- Google Maps
Wageningen University & Research

Sep 2019 - Jan 2021
M.Sc. Geoinformation Science

Two-year (120 ECTS) M.Sc. programme. Program focused on solving geo-spatial complex issues using geoinformation, spatial analysis and remote sensing techniques. Track: Data Science & Human and Space Interaction. Internship: Web-GIS Development
- Python
- Geo-Scripting
- Geostatistics
- Spatial Modelling
- Remote Sensing
- Data Science for Smart environments
- Big Data
- Web-GIS
Universitat de Lleida

Sep 2014 - Jan 2019
B.Sc. Geography & Spatial Planning

Degree focused on the interaction between people and their environments, spanning urban, territorial, and physical landscapes. It combines practical skills in cartography and geographic information systems (GIS) with an understanding of social and economic dynamics to address issues in urban planning, sustainability, and resource management. Awarded with the extraordinary prize of the Bachelor's Degree.
- Land Management
- Urban Geography
- Social Geography
- Rural Geography
- Cartography
- GIS
- Hidrology
- Physical Geography

Certificates

FME Professonal Certificate

Sep 2022

Safe Software
EASA Certified Drone Pilot

Jan 2022

EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency

Projects & Maps

Spatio-tempral data visualization in a Web-GIS application

A Web-GIS application that visualizes spatio-temporal data, focusing on the temporal dimension of geo-data. The application was developed to address the need for a tool to represent the temporal dimension of geo-data in multi-temporal spatial datasets.

ReactReduxLeafletGeoServer
Slums and Urban Land Consumption in Brazilian Metropolitan Areas

A study that monitors SDG indicators 11.1.1 and 11.3.1 using open data to address the critical issues of fast and uncontrolled urban expansion, slum formation, and their environmental and social impacts in Brazilian metropolitan areas.

QGISPython
Tailoring basemaps for color vision impaired people •

A consultancy group project focused on optimizing basemaps for individuals with color vision impairments. The project aimed to improve basemap accessibility for colorblind people by identifying problematic color combinations and proposing alternative solutions.

ArcGIS Pro
Geo-photos •

This webmap contains geolocated photos of my trips around the world. To me it's a nice way to remember the places I've been and the people I've met. The front-end is built with Angular and Mapbox, and the backend is a Supabase PostGIS database.

AngularMapboxSupabasePostGIS
Lat Lon Finder - Not published yet •

Find cities along a latitude and longitude line

NextJS