Kauê de Moraes Vestena

Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) Pato Branco, Paraná, Brazil kauemv2@gmail.com

I am Kauê de Moraes Vestena, a Professor at the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), Pato Branco campus, since August 4, 2026, and hold a PhD in Geodetic Sciences from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR, 2021–2025; degree conferred October 3, 2025), including a sandwich research period at the Politecnico di Milano (Oct 2023–Mar 2024). My work centres on accessibility mapping using open data and open tools, with a particular focus on mapping sidewalk networks in OpenStreetMap. I develop open‑source software to support inclusive mobility, including the OSM SidewalKreator QGIS plugin, and contribute to projects such as OpenSidewalkMap to create comprehensive pedestrian network inventories.

I earned my Master’s degree in Geodetic Sciences (2017–2020) and my undergraduate degree in Cartographic and Surveying Engineering (2013–2017) from UFPR. Before university I trained as a Surveying technician at UTFPR (2009–2012). Outside of research, I enjoy hiking, travelling and exploring maps.

Research interests

Accessibility mapping and inclusive mobility
Studying how open data can inform inclusive urban planning, with a focus on sidewalk networks and pedestrian accessibility.
Geospatial data science
Applying terrestrial mobile mapping, remote sensing and cartographic techniques to extract meaningful insights from spatial data.
OpenStreetMap and collaborative cartography
Developing tools and methodologies that enhance community‑driven mapping efforts.

Interested in learning more? Visit my projects page or drop me a line—I’m always open to collaborations.

news

Aug 04, 2026	PhD completed — joining UTFPR as a Professor
Sep 23, 2024	🎉 Website Launch: My new academic website is now live, showcasing research in accessibility mapping and open-source geospatial technologies!
Aug 15, 2024	OSM SidewalKreator passes 23,000 downloads

latest posts

selected publications

IJGI

Investigating the Performance of Open-Vocabulary Classification Algorithms for Pathway and Surface Material Detection in Urban Environments

Kauê de Moraes Vestena , Silvana Philippi Camboim , Maria Antonia Brovelli , and 1 more author

ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, Nov 2024

Bib HTML

@article{vestena2024openvocabulary,
  title = {Investigating the Performance of Open-Vocabulary Classification Algorithms for Pathway and Surface Material Detection in Urban Environments},
  author = {Vestena, Kauê de Moraes and Camboim, Silvana Philippi and Brovelli, Maria Antonia and Santos, Daniel Rodrigues dos},
  journal = {ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information},
  volume = {13},
  number = {12},
  pages = {422},
  year = {2024},
  month = nov,
  publisher = {MDPI AG},
  doi = {10.3390/ijgi13120422},
}

EJG

OSM Sidewalkreator: A QGIS plugin for an automated drawing of sidewalk networks for OpenStreetMap

Kauê de Moraes Vestena , Silvana Philippi Camboim , and Daniel Rodrigues dos Santos

European Journal of Geography, Dec 2023

Bib HTML Code

@article{vestena2023sidewalkreator,
  title = {OSM Sidewalkreator: A QGIS plugin for an automated drawing of sidewalk networks for OpenStreetMap},
  author = {Vestena, Kauê de Moraes and Camboim, Silvana Philippi and Santos, Daniel Rodrigues dos},
  journal = {European Journal of Geography},
  volume = {14},
  number = {4},
  pages = {66--84},
  year = {2023},
  month = dec,
  publisher = {European Association of Geographers (EUROGEO)},
  doi = {10.48088/ejg.k.ves.14.4.066.084},
}

Anuário IGEO

Development of a Low-Cost Terrestrial Mobile Mapping System for Urban Vegetation Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Kauê de Moraes Vestena , and Daniel Rodrigues dos Santos

Anuário do Instituto de Geociências, May 2022

Bib HTML

@article{vestena2022mobilemapping,
  title = {Development of a Low-Cost Terrestrial Mobile Mapping System for Urban Vegetation Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks},
  author = {Vestena, Kauê de Moraes and Santos, Daniel Rodrigues dos},
  journal = {Anuário do Instituto de Geociências},
  volume = {45},
  year = {2022},
  month = may,
  publisher = {Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro},
  doi = {10.11137/1982-3908_2022_45_46008},
}