diff --git a/include/mapnik/json/create_geometry.hpp b/include/mapnik/json/create_geometry.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a04f377fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/json/create_geometry.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,243 @@
+ /*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_JSON_CREATE_GEOMETRY_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_JSON_CREATE_GEOMETRY_HPP
+
+#include <mapnik/geometry.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/geometry/correct.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/json/positions_x3.hpp>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json {
+
+// geometries
+template <typename Geometry>
+struct create_point
+{
+    explicit create_point(Geometry & geom)
+        : geom_(geom) {}
+
+    void operator() (point const& pos) const
+    {
+        mapnik::geometry::point<double> point(pos.x, pos.y);
+        geom_ = std::move(point);
+    }
+
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const&) const {} // no-op - shouldn't get here
+    Geometry & geom_;
+};
+
+template <typename Geometry>
+struct create_linestring
+{
+    explicit create_linestring(Geometry & geom)
+        : geom_(geom) {}
+
+    void operator() (ring const& points) const
+    {
+        std::size_t size = points.size();
+        if (size > 1)
+        {
+            mapnik::geometry::line_string<double> line;
+            line.reserve(size);
+            for (auto && pt : points)
+            {
+                line.emplace_back(std::move(pt));
+            }
+            geom_ = std::move(line);
+        }
+    }
+
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const&) const {}  // no-op - shouldn't get here
+
+    Geometry & geom_;
+};
+
+template <typename Geometry>
+struct create_polygon
+{
+    explicit create_polygon(Geometry & geom)
+        : geom_(geom) {}
+
+    void operator() (rings const& rngs) const
+    {
+        mapnik::geometry::polygon<double> poly;
+        std::size_t num_rings = rngs.size();
+        if (num_rings > 1)
+        {
+            poly.interior_rings.reserve(num_rings - 1);
+        }
+
+        for ( std::size_t i = 0; i < num_rings; ++i)
+        {
+            std::size_t size = rngs[i].size();
+            mapnik::geometry::linear_ring<double> ring;
+            ring.reserve(size);
+            for ( auto && pt : rngs[i])
+            {
+                ring.emplace_back(std::move(pt));
+            }
+            if (i == 0) poly.set_exterior_ring(std::move(ring));
+            else poly.add_hole(std::move(ring));
+        }
+        geom_ = std::move(poly);
+        mapnik::geometry::correct(geom_);
+    }
+
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const&) const {}  // no-op - shouldn't get here
+
+    Geometry & geom_;
+};
+
+// multi-geometries
+template <typename Geometry>
+struct create_multipoint
+{
+    explicit create_multipoint(Geometry & geom)
+        : geom_(geom) {}
+
+    void operator() (ring const& points) const
+    {
+        mapnik::geometry::multi_point<double> multi_point;
+        multi_point.reserve(points.size());
+        for (auto && pos : points)
+        {
+            multi_point.emplace_back(std::move(pos));
+        }
+        geom_ = std::move(multi_point);
+    }
+
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const&) const {}  // no-op - shouldn't get here
+
+    Geometry & geom_;
+};
+
+template <typename Geometry>
+struct create_multilinestring
+{
+    explicit create_multilinestring(Geometry & geom)
+        : geom_(geom) {}
+
+    void operator() (rings const& rngs) const
+    {
+        mapnik::geometry::multi_line_string<double> multi_line;
+        multi_line.reserve(rngs.size());
+
+        for (auto const& ring : rngs)
+        {
+            mapnik::geometry::line_string<double> line;
+            line.reserve(ring.size());
+            for (auto && pt : ring)
+            {
+                line.emplace_back(std::move(pt));
+            }
+            multi_line.emplace_back(std::move(line));
+        }
+        geom_ = std::move(multi_line);
+    }
+
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const&) const {}  // no-op - shouldn't get here
+
+    Geometry & geom_;
+};
+
+template <typename Geometry>
+struct create_multipolygon
+{
+    explicit create_multipolygon(Geometry & geom)
+        : geom_(geom) {}
+
+    void operator()(rings_array const& rngs_arr) const
+    {
+        mapnik::geometry::multi_polygon<double> multi_poly;
+        multi_poly.reserve(rngs_arr.size());
+        for (auto const& rings : rngs_arr)
+        {
+            mapnik::geometry::polygon<double> poly;
+            std::size_t num_rings = rings.size();
+            if ( num_rings > 1)
+                poly.interior_rings.reserve(num_rings - 1);
+
+            for ( std::size_t i = 0; i < num_rings; ++i)
+            {
+                std::size_t size = rings[i].size();
+                mapnik::geometry::linear_ring<double> ring;
+                ring.reserve(size);
+                for ( auto && pt : rings[i])
+                {
+                    ring.emplace_back(std::move(pt));
+                }
+                if (i == 0) poly.set_exterior_ring(std::move(ring));
+                else poly.add_hole(std::move(ring));
+            }
+            multi_poly.emplace_back(std::move(poly));
+        }
+        geom_ = std::move(multi_poly);
+        mapnik::geometry::correct(geom_);
+    }
+
+    template <typename T>
+    void operator()(T const&) const {}  // no-op - shouldn't get here
+
+    Geometry & geom_;
+};
+
+struct create_geometry_impl
+{
+    using result_type = void;
+    template <typename Geometry>
+    void operator() (Geometry & geom, int type, mapnik::json::positions const& coords) const
+    {
+        switch (type)
+        {
+        case 1 ://Point
+            util::apply_visitor(create_point<Geometry>(geom), coords);
+            break;
+        case 2 ://LineString
+           util::apply_visitor(create_linestring<Geometry>(geom), coords);
+           break;
+        case 3 ://Polygon
+            util::apply_visitor(create_polygon<Geometry>(geom), coords);
+            break;
+        case 4 ://MultiPoint
+            util::apply_visitor(create_multipoint<Geometry>(geom), coords);
+            break;
+        case 5 ://MultiLineString
+            util::apply_visitor(create_multilinestring<Geometry>(geom), coords);
+            break;
+        case 6 ://MultiPolygon
+            util::apply_visitor(create_multipolygon<Geometry>(geom), coords);
+            break;
+        default:
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+};
+
+}}
+
+#endif // MAPNIK_JSON_CREATE_GEOMETRY_HPP
diff --git a/include/mapnik/json/geojson_grammar_x3.hpp b/include/mapnik/json/geojson_grammar_x3.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..557db176f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/json/geojson_grammar_x3.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_JSON_GEOJSON_GRAMMAR_X3_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_JSON_GEOJSON_GRAMMAR_X3_HPP
+
+#include <mapnik/value/types.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/util/variant.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/json/json_grammar_config.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/json/positions_x3.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/geometry/geometry_types.hpp>
+#pragma GCC diagnostic push
+#include <mapnik/warning_ignore.hpp>
+#include <boost/spirit/home/x3.hpp>
+#pragma GCC diagnostic pop
+
+#include <vector>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json {
+
+namespace x3 = boost::spirit::x3;
+struct json_value;
+using json_array = std::vector<json_value>;
+using json_object_element = std::pair<int, json_value>;
+using json_object = std::vector<json_object_element>;
+using json_value_base = mapnik::util::variant<value_null,
+                                              value_bool,
+                                              value_integer,
+                                              value_double,
+                                              std::string,
+                                              mapnik::geometry::geometry_types,
+                                              positions,
+                                              json_array,
+                                              json_object>;
+struct json_value : json_value_base
+{
+#if __cpp_inheriting_constructors >= 200802
+
+    using json_value_base::json_value_base;
+
+#else
+
+    json_value() = default;
+
+    template <typename T>
+    json_value(T && val)
+        : json_value_base(std::forward<T>(val)) {}
+
+#endif
+};
+
+namespace grammar {
+
+using geojson_grammar_type = x3::rule<class geojson_tag, json_value>;
+using key_value_type = x3::rule<class key_value_tag, json_object_element>;
+BOOST_SPIRIT_DECLARE(geojson_grammar_type);
+BOOST_SPIRIT_DECLARE(key_value_type);
+}
+
+grammar::geojson_grammar_type const& geojson_grammar();
+grammar::key_value_type const& key_value_grammar();
+
+}}
+
+#endif // MAPNIK_JSON_GEOJSON_GRAMMAR_X3_HPP
diff --git a/include/mapnik/json/geojson_grammar_x3_def.hpp b/include/mapnik/json/geojson_grammar_x3_def.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5b85732bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/json/geojson_grammar_x3_def.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,182 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_JSON_GEOJSON_GRAMMAR_X3_DEF_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_JSON_GEOJSON_GRAMMAR_X3_DEF_HPP
+
+#define BIGINT // int64_t support
+
+#include <mapnik/json/geojson_grammar_x3.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/json/positions_grammar_x3.hpp>
+#include <boost/fusion/include/std_pair.hpp>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json { namespace grammar {
+
+namespace x3 = boost::spirit::x3;
+
+auto make_null = [] (auto const& ctx)
+{
+    _val(ctx) = mapnik::value_null{};
+};
+
+auto make_true = [] (auto const& ctx)
+{
+    _val(ctx) = true;
+};
+
+auto make_false = [] (auto const& ctx)
+{
+    _val(ctx) = false;
+};
+
+auto assign = [](auto const& ctx)
+{
+    _val(ctx) = std::move(_attr(ctx));
+};
+
+auto assign_key = [](auto const& ctx)
+{
+    std::string const& name = _attr(ctx);
+    keys_map & keys = x3::get<keys_tag>(ctx);
+    auto result = keys.insert(std::make_pair(name, keys.size()));
+    std::get<0>(_val(ctx)) = result.first->second;
+};
+
+auto assign_value = [](auto const& ctx)
+{
+    std::get<1>(_val(ctx)) = std::move(_attr(ctx));
+};
+
+using x3::lit;
+using x3::string;
+using x3::omit;
+
+struct geometry_type_ : x3::symbols<mapnik::geometry::geometry_types>
+{
+    geometry_type_()
+    {
+        add
+            ("\"Feature\"",mapnik::geometry::geometry_types(0xff)) // this is a temp hack FIXME
+            ("\"Point\"", mapnik::geometry::geometry_types::Point)
+            ("\"LineString\"", mapnik::geometry::geometry_types::LineString)
+            ("\"Polygon\"", mapnik::geometry::geometry_types::Polygon)
+            ("\"MultiPoint\"", mapnik::geometry::geometry_types::MultiPoint)
+            ("\"MultiLineString\"", mapnik::geometry::geometry_types::MultiLineString )
+            ("\"MultiPolygon\"",mapnik::geometry::geometry_types::MultiPolygon)
+            ("\"GeometryCollection\"",mapnik::geometry::geometry_types::GeometryCollection)
+            ;
+    }
+} geometry_type_sym;
+
+// exported rules
+// start
+geojson_grammar_type const value("JSON Value");
+key_value_type const key_value("JSON key/value");
+// rules
+x3::rule<class json_object_tag, json_object> object("JSON Object");
+x3::rule<class json_array_tag, json_array> array("JSON Array");
+x3::rule<class json_number_tag, json_value> number("JSON Number");
+//x3::rule<class key_value_tag, json_object_element> key_value("JSON key/value");
+// GeoJSON
+x3::rule<class geojson_coordinates_tag, json_object_element> coordinates("GeoJSON Coordinates");
+x3::rule<class geojson_geometry_type_tag, json_object_element> geometry_type("GeoJSON Geometry Type");
+x3::rule<class geojson_key_value_type_tag, json_object_element> geojson_key_value("GeoJSON Key/Value Type");
+auto const json_double = x3::real_parser<value_double, x3::strict_real_policies<value_double>>();
+auto const json_integer = x3::int_parser<value_integer, 10, 1, -1>();
+
+// import unicode string rule
+namespace { auto const& json_string = mapnik::json::unicode_string_grammar(); }
+// import positions rule
+namespace { auto const& positions_rule = mapnik::json::positions_grammar(); }
+
+// GeoJSON types
+auto const value_def =  object | array | json_string | number
+    ;
+
+auto const coordinates_def = string("\"coordinates\"")[assign_key] > lit(':') > (positions_rule[assign_value] | value[assign_value])
+    ;
+
+auto const geometry_type_def = string("\"type\"")[assign_key] > lit(':') > (geometry_type_sym[assign_value] | value[assign_value])
+    ;
+
+auto const key_value_def = json_string[assign_key] > lit(':') > value[assign_value]
+    ;
+
+auto const geojson_key_value_def =
+    geometry_type
+    |
+    coordinates
+    |
+    key_value
+    ;
+
+auto const object_def = lit('{')
+    > -(geojson_key_value % lit(','))
+    > lit('}')
+    ;
+
+auto const array_def = lit('[')
+    > -(value % lit(','))
+    > lit(']')
+    ;
+
+auto const number_def = json_double[assign]
+    | json_integer[assign]
+    | lit("true") [make_true]
+    | lit ("false") [make_false]
+    | lit("null")[make_null]
+    ;
+
+#pragma GCC diagnostic push
+#include <mapnik/warning_ignore.hpp>
+
+BOOST_SPIRIT_DEFINE(
+    value,
+    geometry_type,
+    coordinates,
+    object,
+    key_value,
+    geojson_key_value,
+    array,
+    number
+    );
+
+#pragma GCC diagnostic pop
+
+}}}
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json {
+
+grammar::geojson_grammar_type const& geojson_grammar()
+{
+    return grammar::value;
+}
+
+grammar::key_value_type const& key_value_grammar()
+{
+    return grammar::key_value;
+}
+
+}}
+
+#endif // MAPNIK_JSON_GEOJSON_GRAMMAR_X3_DEF_HPP
diff --git a/include/mapnik/json/json_grammar_config.hpp b/include/mapnik/json/json_grammar_config.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f8e5c07c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/json/json_grammar_config.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_JSON_GRAMMAR_CONFIG_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_JSON_GRAMMAR_CONFIG_HPP
+
+#include <boost/spirit/home/x3.hpp>
+#include <unordered_map>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json {
+
+struct keys_tag;
+
+namespace grammar {
+
+using keys_map = std::unordered_map<std::string, int>;
+
+namespace x3 = boost::spirit::x3;
+using space_type = x3::standard::space_type;
+using iterator_type = std::string::const_iterator;
+using context_type = x3::with_context<keys_tag,
+                                      std::reference_wrapper<keys_map> const,
+                                      x3::phrase_parse_context<space_type>::type>::type;
+}}}
+
+#endif // MAPNIK_JSON_GRAMMAR_CONFIG_HPP
diff --git a/include/mapnik/json/positions_grammar_x3.hpp b/include/mapnik/json/positions_grammar_x3.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..55827907e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/json/positions_grammar_x3.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_JSON_POSITIONS_GRAMMAR_X3_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_JSON_POSITIONS_GRAMMAR_X3_HPP
+
+#pragma GCC diagnostic push
+#include <mapnik/warning_ignore.hpp>
+#include <boost/spirit/home/x3.hpp>
+#pragma GCC diagnostic pop
+
+// mapnik
+#include <mapnik/geometry.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/json/positions_x3.hpp>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json {
+
+namespace grammar {
+
+namespace x3 = boost::spirit::x3;
+using positions_grammar_type = x3::rule<class positions_tag, positions>;
+
+BOOST_SPIRIT_DECLARE(positions_grammar_type);
+
+}
+
+grammar::positions_grammar_type const& positions_grammar();
+
+}}
+
+#endif // MAPNIK_JSON_POSITIONS_GRAMMAR_X3_HPP
diff --git a/include/mapnik/json/positions_grammar_x3_def.hpp b/include/mapnik/json/positions_grammar_x3_def.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ab012c061
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/json/positions_grammar_x3_def.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_JSON_POSITIONS_GRAMMAR_X3_DEF_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_JSON_POSITIONS_GRAMMAR_X3_DEF_HPP
+
+#include <mapnik/json/positions_grammar_x3.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/geometry/fusion_adapted.hpp>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json { namespace grammar {
+
+namespace x3 = boost::spirit::x3;
+using x3::lit;
+using x3::double_;
+using x3::no_case;
+using x3::omit;
+
+// start rule
+positions_grammar_type const positions("Positions");
+// rules
+x3::rule<class point_class, point> const point("Position");
+x3::rule<class ring_class, ring> const ring("Ring");
+x3::rule<class rings_class, rings> const rings("Rings");
+x3::rule<class rings_array_class, rings_array> const rings_array("RingsArray");
+
+auto const positions_def = rings_array | rings | ring | point ;
+auto const point_def = lit('[') > double_ > lit(',') > double_ > omit[*(lit(',') > double_)] > lit(']');
+auto const ring_def = lit('[') >> (point % lit(',') > lit(']'));
+auto const rings_def = lit('[') >> (ring % lit(',') > lit(']'));
+auto const rings_array_def = lit('[') >> (rings % lit(',') > lit(']'));
+
+BOOST_SPIRIT_DEFINE(
+    positions,
+    point,
+    ring,
+    rings,
+    rings_array
+    );
+}}}
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json {
+grammar::positions_grammar_type const& positions_grammar()
+{
+    return grammar::positions;
+}
+}}
+
+#endif // MAPNIK_JSON_POSITIONS_GRAMMAR_X3_DEF_HPP
diff --git a/include/mapnik/json/positions_x3.hpp b/include/mapnik/json/positions_x3.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..38a56a647
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/json/positions_x3.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_JSON_POSITIONS_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_JSON_POSITIONS_HPP
+
+// mapnik
+#include <mapnik/util/variant.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/geometry.hpp>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json {
+
+struct empty {};
+using point = mapnik::geometry::point<double>;
+using ring = std::vector<point>;
+using rings = std::vector<ring>;
+using rings_array = std::vector<rings>;
+using positions = util::variant<point, ring, rings, rings_array>;
+
+}}
+
+#endif // MAPNIK_JSON_POSITIONS_HPP
diff --git a/include/mapnik/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3.hpp b/include/mapnik/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8b70f598a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2015 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_JSON_UNICODE_STRING_GRAMMAR_X3_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_JSON_UNICODE_STRING_GRAMMAR_X3_HPP
+
+#pragma GCC diagnostic push
+#include <mapnik/warning_ignore.hpp>
+#include <boost/spirit/home/x3.hpp>
+#pragma GCC diagnostic pop
+
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json { namespace grammar {
+
+namespace x3 = boost::spirit::x3;
+class unicode_string_tag;
+using unicode_string_grammar_type = x3::rule<unicode_string_tag, std::string>;
+
+BOOST_SPIRIT_DECLARE(unicode_string_grammar_type);
+
+}
+
+grammar::unicode_string_grammar_type const& unicode_string_grammar();
+
+}}
+
+#endif // MAPNIK_JSON_UNICODE_STRING_GRAMMAR_X3_HPP
diff --git a/include/mapnik/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3_def.hpp b/include/mapnik/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3_def.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..00a5932b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3_def.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_JSON_UNICODE_STRING_GRAMMAR_X3_DEF_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_JSON_UNICODE_STRING_GRAMMAR_X3_DEF_HPP
+
+#include <mapnik/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3.hpp>
+#include <iostream>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json { namespace grammar {
+
+namespace x3 = boost::spirit::x3;
+
+using uchar = std::uint32_t; // a unicode code point
+
+auto append = [](auto const& ctx)
+{
+    _val(ctx) += _attr(ctx);
+};
+
+namespace detail {
+
+void push_utf8_impl(std::string & str, uchar code_point)
+{
+    using insert_iterator = std::back_insert_iterator<std::string>;
+    insert_iterator iter(str);
+    boost::utf8_output_iterator<insert_iterator> utf8_iter(iter);
+    *utf8_iter++ = code_point;
+}
+}
+
+auto push_utf8 = [](auto const& ctx) { detail::push_utf8_impl(_val(ctx), _attr(ctx));};
+
+auto push_esc = [] (auto const& ctx)
+{
+    std::string & utf8 = _val(ctx);
+    char c = _attr(ctx);
+    switch (c)
+    {
+    case ' ': utf8 += ' ';          break;
+    case '\t': utf8 += '\t';        break;
+    case '0': utf8 += char(0);      break;
+    case 'a': utf8 += 0x7;          break;
+    case 'b': utf8 += 0x8;          break;
+    case 't': utf8 += 0x9;          break;
+    case 'n': utf8 += 0xA;          break;
+    case 'v': utf8 += 0xB;          break;
+    case 'f': utf8 += 0xC;          break;
+    case 'r': utf8 += 0xD;          break;
+    case 'e': utf8 += 0x1B;         break;
+    case '"': utf8 += '"';          break;
+    case '/': utf8 += '/';          break;
+    case '\\': utf8 += '\\';        break;
+    case '_': detail::push_utf8_impl(utf8, 0xA0);  break;
+    case 'N': detail::push_utf8_impl(utf8, 0x85);  break;
+    case 'L': detail::push_utf8_impl(utf8, 0x2028);  break;
+    case 'P': detail::push_utf8_impl(utf8, 0x2029);  break;
+    }
+};
+
+using x3::lit;
+using x3::char_;
+using x3::hex;
+using x3::eol;
+using x3::no_skip;
+
+x3::uint_parser<uchar, 16, 4, 4> hex4;
+x3::uint_parser<uchar, 16, 8, 8> hex8;
+
+// start rule
+unicode_string_grammar_type const unicode_string("Unicode String");
+// rules
+x3::rule<class double_quoted_tag, std::string> const double_quoted("Double-quoted string");
+x3::rule<class escaped_tag, std::string> const escaped("Escaped Characted");
+
+auto unicode_string_def = double_quoted
+    ;
+auto const escaped_def = lit('\\') >
+    (lit('x') > hex[push_utf8]
+     |
+     lit('u') > hex4[push_utf8]
+     |
+     lit('U') > hex8[push_utf8]
+     |
+     char_("0abtnvfre\"/\\N_LP \t")[push_esc]
+     |
+     eol) // continue to next line
+    ;
+
+auto const double_quoted_def = lit('"') > no_skip[*(escaped[append] | (~char_('"'))[append])] > lit('"');
+
+#pragma GCC diagnostic push
+#include <mapnik/warning_ignore.hpp>
+
+BOOST_SPIRIT_DEFINE(
+    unicode_string,
+    double_quoted,
+    escaped
+    );
+
+#pragma GCC diagnostic pop
+
+}
+grammar::unicode_string_grammar_type const& unicode_string_grammar()
+{
+    return grammar::unicode_string;
+}
+}}
+
+#endif // MAPNIK_JSON_UNICODE_STRING_GRAMMAR_X3_DEF_HPP
diff --git a/src/json/geojson_grammar_x3.cpp b/src/json/geojson_grammar_x3.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..824156557
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/json/geojson_grammar_x3.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#include <mapnik/json/geojson_grammar_x3_def.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/json/json_grammar_config.hpp>
+namespace mapnik { namespace json { namespace grammar {
+
+BOOST_SPIRIT_INSTANTIATE(geojson_grammar_type, iterator_type, context_type);
+
+}}}
diff --git a/src/json/positions_grammar_x3.cpp b/src/json/positions_grammar_x3.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e20de39f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/json/positions_grammar_x3.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#include <mapnik/json/positions_grammar_x3_def.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/json/json_grammar_config.hpp>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json { namespace grammar {
+BOOST_SPIRIT_INSTANTIATE(positions_grammar_type, iterator_type, context_type);
+}}}
diff --git a/src/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3.cpp b/src/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..69fadbba2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#include <mapnik/json/unicode_string_grammar_x3_def.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/json/json_grammar_config.hpp>
+
+namespace mapnik { namespace json { namespace grammar {
+BOOST_SPIRIT_INSTANTIATE(unicode_string_grammar_type, iterator_type, context_type);
+}}}