A collaboration model for national spatial data infrastructure in federated countries

Deposited with permission of the author. © 2005 Dr. Mathew WarnestSpatial information is increasingly acknowledged as a national resource essential for sustainable development. Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) is part of the basic infrastructure that needs to be efficiently coordinated and managed in the interests of the nation. However, there is no framework or adequate knowledge available for users, providers and administrators of SDI to collaborate effectively to build National SDI. In countries that are a federation of states, administration is dispersed across multiple tiers of government. The system of governance and constitution in a federated country makes the coordination of spatial activities in the national interest complex. (For complete abstract open document

Local and state-based collaboration: the key to unlocking the potential of SDI

Access to reliable and affordable spatial information is now recognised as a critical component of Australia's future economic, environmental and social development. The growth of spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) at all levels of government relies heavily on collaboration both within and between jurisdictions. However, our understanding of the collaborations and partnerships that contribute to building these SDIs is still relatively poor. Whilst the literature within the spatial information and GIS field explores data-sharing arrangements, technology diffusion, multi-participatory projects and project-based partnerships, little contribution is made to the nature of the interactions between the various organisations and stakeholders. Although useful for understanding advances in spatial information management and how to structure and manage GIS-based projects the literature does not describe how to forge cooperative relationships, what partnership models to engage nor how to nurture ongoing interactions, especially in competitive environments. This paper investigates the nature of SDI collaborations in order to illustrate the wide variation in the range of stakeholders, forms of interaction and level of engagement. To highlight the various characteristics of collaboration, a number of SDI partnerships will be explored. Differences and similarities between these partnerships will be discussed with a view to identifying important factors for successful collaboration. The need for, and role of central coordination bodies to minimise the duplication and dispersion of effort will be examined in this context

Fundamental partnerships driving Spatial Data Infrastructure development within Australia

This is a pre-print version of an article published in Cartography 2002. This version is restricted to staff and students only.Recent models of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) are overly simplistic and fail to address the dynamic nature, complexity, inter- and intra-jurisdictional nature and important role of partnerships. There is a need by governments and administrators to better understand the complex nature of SDIs to facilitate implementation of this form of infrastructure in an information society. This paper aims to build upon current SDI research at local, state and regional levels to better understand the complex and multi-dimensional nature at a national level, while building onthe principles of Hierarchical Spatial Reasoning (HSR) theory. To date little work has been undertaken on mapping these partnerships particularly at the national level within a country that is a federation of states. This paper will introduce the notion that better understanding of the partnerships that support SDI will enable administrators of spatial information to implement this type of infrastructure into the future. The paper will also highlight new research being conducted by the Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures and Land Administration at the University of Melbourne on the Australian SDI (ASDI) and the aims to develop a methodology to map the complex nature of national SDI (NSDI)

Fundamental Partnerships Driving Spatial Data Infrastructure Development Within Australia

Recent models of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) are overly simplistic and fail to address the dynamic nature, complexity, inter- and intra-jurisdictional nature and important role of partnerships. There is a need by governments and administrators to better understand the complex nature of SDIs to facilitate implementation of this form of infrastructure in an information society. This pape