Data-driven Economies in Central and Eastern Europe. Challenges and Perspectives

The recently published Communication on “Building a European Data Economy” (COM(2017)9) clearly highlights the increasing importance of data as a driver for growth, innovation and job creation. It is estimated that by year 2020, the value the EU data economy will increase to EUR 643 billion, representing over 3% of the EU GDP. At the same time there is no comparable and quantifiable evidence on the current state and the future perspectives of the data driven economy in the European Union neighbouring countries. It can however safely be assumed that the role of data will be following a similar pattern, and is therefore expected to be contribution to an increasing relative share of GDP. Furthermore, some European neighbouring countries, most notably those in Central and Eastern Europe, are a recognised destination for IT businesses that grow two to three times faster than in their economy of origin. Within this context, a workshop was co-organized by the World Bank, the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC). The workshop took place on 05 September as part of the annual INSPIRE Conference in 2017 (co-organised in Strasbourg and Kehl by France and Germany). The workshop explored the challenges and possibilities related with Data driven economy in Central and Eastern Europe. All the presentation of attendees are available online. The rapidly emerging spatial data infrastructures (SDI) were used as a use case to have a better insight into the data economy as they address a broad spectrum of topics that relate to the legal, technological and organisational challenges towards the use and reuse of data. Particular emphasis was put on good practices that if re-used and extended, can further foster innovation and intensify growth. This JRC technical report summarises the outcomes of the WB/UNECE/FAO/JRC workshop. It includes (i) overview of relevant processes on the global and European agenda, (ii) good practices from countries in the target region on the value-added from data that provide indications future policy directions and emerging opportunities.JRC.B.6-Digital Econom

Intelligent geospatial decision support system for Malaysian marine geospatial data infrastructure

Marine resources for different uses and activities are characterised by multi-dimensional concepts, criteria, multi-participants, and multiple-use conflicts. In addition, the fuzzy nature in the marine environment has attendant features that increase the complexity of the environment, thus, necessitating the quest for multiple alternative solutions and adequate evaluation, particularly within the context of Marine Geospatial Data Infrastructure (MGDI). However, in the literature of MGDI, there has yet to be a concerted research effort and framework towards holistic consideration of decision making prospects using multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) and intelligent algorithms for effective and informed decision beyond the classical methods. This research, therefore, aims to develop and validate an intelligent decision support system for Malaysian MGDI. An integrated framework built on mixed method research design serves as the mode of inquiry. Initially, the quantitative methodology, comprising of Dynamic Analytic Network Process (DANP) model, comprehensive evaluation index system (CEIS), MCE extensions, geographic information system’s spatial interaction modelling (SIM), and hydrographic data acquisition sub-system was implemented. Within this framework, a case study validation was employed for the qualitative aspect to predict the most viable geospatial extents within Malaysian waters for exploitation of deep sea marine fishery. Quantitative findings showed that the model has an elucidated CEIS with a DANP network model of 7 criteria, 28 sub-criteria, and 145 performance indicators, with 5 alternatives. In the MCE, computed priority values for Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy AHP are different though their rankings are the same. In addition, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Fuzzy TOPSIS results from the MCE extensions showed that they were similarly ranked for the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (200 nm) area as predicted by the DANP model. Furthermore, re-arrangement of the priorities in sensitivity analysis enhanced the final judgment for the criteria being evaluated; and for the SIM. Qualitatively, the validation of the DANP through the prediction has cumulated a computed value of 76.39 nm (141.47 Km) where this would be the most viable and economical deep sea fishery exploitation location in Malaysian waters and within the EEZ. In this study, MGDI decision and MgdiEureka are newly formulated terminologies to depict decisions in the realms of MGDI initiatives and the developed applications. The framework would serve as an improved marine geospatial planning for various stakeholders prior to decision making

Citizen Science and Geospatial Capacity Building

This book is a collection of the articles published the Special Issue of ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information on “Citizen Science and Geospatial Capacity Building”. The articles cover a wide range of topics regarding the applications of citizen science from a geospatial technology perspective. Several applications show the importance of Citizen Science (CitSci) and volunteered geographic information (VGI) in various stages of geodata collection, processing, analysis and visualization; and for demonstrating the capabilities, which are covered in the book. Particular emphasis is given to various problems encountered in the CitSci and VGI projects with a geospatial aspect, such as platform, tool and interface design, ontology development, spatial analysis and data quality assessment. The book also points out the needs and future research directions in these subjects, such as; (a) data quality issues especially in the light of big data; (b) ontology studies for geospatial data suited for diverse user backgrounds, data integration, and sharing; (c) development of machine learning and artificial intelligence based online tools for pattern recognition and object identification using existing repositories of CitSci and VGI projects; and (d) open science and open data practices for increasing the efficiency, decreasing the redundancy, and acknowledgement of all stakeholders

Training of Crisis Mappers and Map Production from Multi-sensor Data: Vernazza Case Study (Cinque Terre National Park, Italy)

This aim of paper is to presents the development of a multidisciplinary project carried out by the cooperation between Politecnico di Torino and ITHACA (Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperation and Action). The goal of the project was the training in geospatial data acquiring and processing for students attending Architecture and Engineering Courses, in order to start up a team of "volunteer mappers". Indeed, the project is aimed to document the environmental and built heritage subject to disaster; the purpose is to improve the capabilities of the actors involved in the activities connected in geospatial data collection, integration and sharing. The proposed area for testing the training activities is the Cinque Terre National Park, registered in the World Heritage List since 1997. The area was affected by flood on the 25th of October 2011. According to other international experiences, the group is expected to be active after emergencies in order to upgrade maps, using data acquired by typical geomatic methods and techniques such as terrestrial and aerial Lidar, close-range and aerial photogrammetry, topographic and GNSS instruments etc.; or by non conventional systems and instruments such us UAV, mobile mapping etc. The ultimate goal is to implement a WebGIS platform to share all the data collected with local authorities and the Civil Protectio

Geodetic infrastructure of Serbia

Geodetic reference systems and their realization at the territory of Serbia have been created and maintained since the end of 19th century. Until mid-80s a series of reference geodetic networks were established: trigonometric networks in four orders, two levelling networks of high accuracybut also a series of gravimetric networks. In the following period of 20 years, there were not any organized worksaiming to maintenance of existing networks and creating new ones. In 1996, works started again on developing a new geodetic infrastructure in the form of realizing: a passive geodetic network, a network of permanent stations (AGROS – the active geodetic reference network of Serbia) as well as basic gravimetric networks. In this paperwork, a short review of works aiming to establish and use said networks is given but also a series of suggestions for a future development of geodetic infrastructure of Serbia

Towards the development of a strategy for a national spatial data infrastructure

In today's world of ever advancing technology the time is precisely right for investment in the development and implementation of a national spatial data infrastructure. This implies that all spatial data presently scattered in different departments and organisations are coordinated and shared. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia there are a number of different mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS) activities being implemented within various government organisations, each with its own merits. Certain research and pilot projects have also been carried out aiming to provide help and recommendations with regard to spatial data sharing and to promote awareness of the importance of spatial data to the Kingdom's development. However, there is an urgent need for a consolidation of effort to avoid the costly mistake of duplication of work; hence the need for a unified national spatial data infrastructure. This research aims to develop a conceptual framework for a strategy for a national spatial data infrastructure (SNSDI) including its main components. A proposal is presented for a Saudi national spatial data infrastructure (which happens to have the same abbreviation - SNSDI) to consolidate isolated mapping and spatial data efforts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in place of the current practice of each agency acting independently. This research project will hopefully provide a leadership role in developing a Kingdom-wide spatial data infrastructure

Open Mapping towards Sustainable Development Goals

This collection amplifies the experiences of some of the world’s young people who are working to address SDGs using geospatial technologies and multi-national collaboration. Authors from every region of the world who have emerged as leaders in the YouthMappers movement share their perspectives and knowledge in an accessible and peer-friendly format. YouthMappers are university students who create and use open mapping for development and humanitarian purposes. Their work leverages digital innovations - both geospatial platforms and communications technologies - to answer the call for leadership to address sustainability challenges. The book conveys a sense of robust knowledge emerging from formal studies or informal academic experiences - in the first-person voices of students and recent graduates who are at the forefront of creating a new map of the world. YouthMappers use OpenStreetMap as the foundational sharing mechanism for creating data together. Authors impart the way they are learning about themselves, about each other, about the world. They are developing technology skills, and simultaneously teaching the rest of the world about the potential contributions of a highly connected generation of emerging world leaders for the SDGs. The book is timely, in that it captures a pivotal moment in the trajectory of the YouthMappers movement’s ability to share emerging expertise, and one that coincides with a pivotal moment in the geopolitical history of planet earth whose inhabitants need to hear from them. Most volumes that cover the topic of sustainability in terms of youth development are written by non-youth authors. Moreover, most are written by non-majoritarian, entrenched academic scholars. This book instead puts forward the diverse voices of students and recent graduates in countries where YouthMappers works, all over the world. Authors cover topics that range from water, agriculture, food, to waste, education, gender, climate action and disasters from their own eyes in working with data, mapping, and humanitarian action, often working across national boundaries and across continents. To inspire readers with their insights, the chapters are mapped to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in ways that connect a youth agenda to a global agenda. With a preface written by Carrie Stokes, Chief Geographer and GeoCenter Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This is an open access book