Part 1 – Vector Import & Basemap

Data Preparation
Import land use and neighbourhood boundary layers into QGIS, style them, and produce a basemap.
Published

August 6, 2026

Classification: Beginner GIS Analysis | Spatial Data Basics | Vector Import

Learning Level: Beginner

Time Estimate: 30 minutes

Software Required: QGIS LTR 3.44, QuickMapServices (QMS) plugin

Authors: Daniele Cannatella and Julia Fossa Marques

Overview

This exercise is the first hands-on block of the Week 1 GIS workshop. You will import two vector layers — a land use layer and a neighbourhood boundary layer — for the municipality of Vlissingen, style them, add an OpenStreetMap basemap, and produce a basemap screenshot for the Miro board.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this exercise, you will be able to:

✅ Import vector layers into QGIS from the Browser Panel
✅ Check a layer’s feature count and coordinate reference system (CRS)
✅ Add an OpenStreetMap basemap using the QuickMapServices plugin
✅ Style a categorical vector layer by attribute
✅ Export a styled map view as an image for sharing

Data & Software

You will need:

Resource Type Description
vlissingen.qgz QGIS project Starter project for the municipality of Vlissingen
bbg.gpkg Geopackage Land use layer (Bestand Bodemgebruik), pre-clipped to the study area
vlissingen_neighbourhoods.gpkg Geopackage CBS neighbourhood boundaries, pre-clipped to the study area

Step 1: Import and Explore the Data

1.1 Open the Project and Import the Layers

  1. Launch QGIS LTR 3.44
  2. Open the project vlissingen.qgz
  3. From the Browser Panel, import the land use layer bbg.gpkg
  4. From the Browser Panel, import the neighbourhood boundary layer vlissingen_neighbourhoods.gpkg

Result: Both the bbg and vlissingen_neighbourhoods layers should now appear in the Layers Panel and draw on the canvas over Vlissingen.

1.2 Explore the Layers

❓ Question: How many features does the land_use layer have?

✅ Solution (click to reveal):

Open the Attribute Table (right-click the layer → Open Attribute Table) and check the feature count shown at the bottom-left of the table window.

❓ Question: What CRS is the project using? What CRS is the bbg layer in?

✅ Solution (click to reveal):

Check the bottom-right corner of the QGIS window for the project CRS, and right-click the layer → Properties → Information for the layer’s CRS. Dutch national datasets such as BBG and CBS boundaries are typically distributed in EPSG:28992 (Amersfoort / RD New).

Step 2: Add an OSM Basemap

  1. Install the QuickMapServices (QMS) plugin if not already installed: Plugins → Manage and Install Plugins, search for QuickMapServices, click Install Plugin
  2. Go to Web → QuickMapServices → OSM → OSM Standard to add an OpenStreetMap basemap
  3. Drag the basemap layer to the bottom of the Layers Panel, below bbg and vlissingen_neighbourhoods

Tip: To make the land use colours stand out against the basemap, right-click the basemap layer → Properties → Symbology, and choose one of the Grayscale options, or reduce Brightness/Saturation.

Step 3: Style the Layers

3.1 Style the Land Use Layer by Category

  1. Select the bbg layer, open Layer Styling (F7)
  2. Change the symbology to Categorized
  3. Value: categorie
  4. Choose a colour ramp and click Classify

Tips:

  • Group related categories so the colour scheme reads intuitively (e.g. shades of green for vegetation, greys for built-up area)
  • Decide in advance what you want the map to highlight — urbanised areas, agricultural land, or landscape features — and let that choice guide the colour scheme

3.2 Style the Neighbourhood Boundaries

  1. Select the vlissingen_neighbourhoods layer, open Layer Styling (F7)

  2. Set the symbol fill to No Fill and choose a visible outline colour/width, so boundaries are readable on top of the land use layer

  3. Zoom in to the land area (using the mouse scroll or clicking on the magnifying glass icon)

Step 4: Export and Share

  1. Take a screenshot of the QGIS canvas that includes the legend
  2. Upload the screenshot to the course Miro board
  3. File → Save Project

Reflection

  • What did you choose to highlight in your map, and how did your styling choices support that?
  • How does adding the neighbourhood boundaries change how you read the land use pattern?
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