Monitoring of Spatial Data Infraestructures

SDI monitoring and evaluation is increasingly attracting the attention of both public sector bureaucrats seeking justification for providing public sources to SDI and SDI practitioners requiring a measure of success of their SDI strategy. In recent years, a shift from an intuitive to more rational SDI assessments can be observed. SDI monitoring and evaluation is becoming operational and is already part of some SDI implementations and practices. Based on an analysis of the operational monitoring systems of the Dutch national SDI (GIDEON), the European SDI (INSPIRE) and the Catalan SDI (IDEC). We describe, analyze and compare comprehensively the design and application of operational SDI monitoring systems and identify common issues to be taken into account for monitoring of SDIs. This can support further improvement of evaluation practices and operational setups of SDI monitoring systems

A characterization of Volunteered Geographic Information

This paper characterizes the Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) phenomenon and explores comprehensively its relation with SDI. The SDI component view is used as common framework for describing the main characteristics of VGI and as framework for exploring VGI and SDI relation. Openstreetmap, Wikiloc, 360.org, Wikimapia and Eye on earth are evaluated to indentify general characteristics of VGI initiatives and discuss differences and similarities between VGI and SDI. Despite differences between VGI and SDI similarities can be identified. Characteristics of all SDI components have been identified in the VGI case studies. Despite differences between VGI and SDI similarities can be identified. Characteristics of all SDI components have been identified in the VGI case studies

Geoportals: an internet marketing perspective

A geoportal is a web site that presents an entry point to geo-products (including geo-data) on the web. Despite their importance in (spatial) data infrastructures, literature suggest stagnating or even declining trends in visitor numbers. In this paper relevant ideas and techniques for improving performance are derived from internet marketing literature. We tested the extent to which these ideas are already applied in practice through a survey among 48 geoportals worldwide. Results show in many cases positive correlation with trends in visitor numbers. The ideas can be useful for geoportal managers developing their marketing strateg

The economic value of the Dutch geo-information sector

Defining the geo-information sector and estimating its economic value on a national level is difficult and standard methodologies are not available. The aim of this paper is to clearly define the geo-information sector and to measure its economic value in terms of turnover, employment, activities and the market. The results of the survey in the Netherlands estimate the economic value of the Dutch geo-information sector at € 1.4 billion, 0.25% of the national GDP. Furthermore, the results show that the Dutch geo-information sector is a fast developing sector with high potential. The authors conclude that the definition used and the developed survey methodology provides a good basis for measuring the value of the national geo-information sector. They suggest carrying out comparable studies in other countries in order to increase awareness of the geo-information sector as a sector of economic importance and to stimulate further development and innovatio

Geoscience after IT: Part L. Adjusting the emerging information system to new technology

Coherent development depends on following widely used standards that respect our vast legacy of existing entries in the geoscience record. Middleware ensures that we see a coherent view from our desktops of diverse sources of information. Developments specific to managing the written word, map content, and structured data come together in shared metadata linking topics and information types

Adaptive Development of a Regional Spatial Data Infrastructure Facing Local Prospects and Socio-Technological Trends

The regional Lounaispaikka-SDI (Spatial Data Infrastructure) in south-west Finland is being developed by a dynamic assembly of the region’s geospatial expertise and its networking, spatial data and geoportal services. Emerging as a data-centric constellation that supported the region’s geographical information professionals, this assembly has developed into a geospatial service with more broadly-focused public information on the region. This development has had five adaptive phases, each as a response to changing local needs and fast-evolving trends in information and communication technologies. Alongside these processes, the Lounaispaikka-SDI has also reinforced the region’s geospatial competencies with benefits offered to academia, public sector institutions, and companies