This presentation provides an in-depth status update on GeoServer 3, the ambitious overhaul of the widely used open-source server for spatial data and web services. Announced as part of a community-driven crowdfunding effort, GeoServer 3 seeks to modernize the platform’s foundation to ensure it meets the growing demands of the geospatial community.

We’ll first analyze the GeoServer 2.x status quo, and the effect of cascading changes that a “simple” Spring upgrade caused, turning the activity into a cross project overhaul, and how the large effort required got socialized and eventually brought to implementation via in-kind volunteering and a crowdfunding campaign driven by Camp2Camp, GeoCat and GeoSolutions.

We will explore the planned milestones in the transition to GeoServer 3. These include critical refactorings, such as replacing aging libraries, adopting modern Java frameworks, and integrating support for the latest versions of GeoTools and GeoWebCache. Key technical advancements include the evolution and integration of ImageN for improved raster data processing, the migration from Wicket 7 to Wicket 10 for a modernized and more secure web user interface, and the adoption of Jakarta EE and Spring 6 to support enhanced security, scalability, and long-term compatibility with modern Java ecosystems.

Join us to celebrate the progress, reflect on the lessons learned, and get inspired by what’s possible with GeoServer 3—a project that continues to empower geospatial professionals and organizations worldwide.