An approach is provided for automatically coding cartographic feature(s), e.g., human settlement(s). The approach involves receiving data point(s) associated with point location(s) and indicative of a cartographic feature. The approach also involves retrieving or generating a cartographic feature polygon corresponding to the cartographic feature based on the data point(s). The approach further involves generating a plurality of polygon data points that replicate the cartographic feature polygon, and/or a spider web model that represents the point location(s). The approach further involves retrieving imagery data depicting the cartographic feature based on the plurality of polygon data points and/or the spider web model. The approach further involves merging the data point(s), the plurality of polygon data points, and/or the imagery data to generate new or updated polygon structure data point(s) to represent the cartographic feature. The approach further involves storing the new or updated polygon structure data point(s) in a map database.