Building a Spatial Decision Support System for Conflict Prevention in the Caucasus: Harmonization of Heterogeneous Sources and Data Quality Assessment Procedures

Geodata analysis at regional level integrates inevitably some datasets from various sources (statistical, geographical, environmental,¿), various scale (regional, national, ..) and various quality: While political structures are constantly changing, as in a potentially conflicting region such as Caucasus, these data integration issues increase. Implementation of quality control methods is an initial and essential step in the integration of geodata inside a spatial regional model. This report provides tools for data harmonization that can be applied to other datasets and other region when existing data sources do not evaluate the quality of their information. The goal of this report is to provide a quality assessment of the Caucasian GIS dataset to build the Caucasus geomodel of instability/stability. This report evaluates qualitatively and quantitatively the adequacy of this dataset to the objective in following a structured quality assessment protocol (Johnston et al. 1999) and consolidates a final geodatabase. Integrating data from a multitude of derivative geospatial products produced by different sources pose severe problems. Challenges are also introduced by the GIS technology itself. Various data are introduced in this study but the main source of statistical and spatial information is the acquisition of the geopolitical atlas dataset, the ¿Caucasian dataset¿ (Radvanyi, INALCO, 2006). In this report, four data quality elements are identified and described in the specific case of the Caucasian dataset. Lineage information, the three accuracy dimensions (positional, temporal and attribute), logical consistency and completeness evaluations are qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by various metrics. This paper illustrates the use of automatic cartographic and data cleanup techniques of Geographic Information System (GIS) to solve data issues (self overlapping, dangles, pseudonodes and gap in spatial data). This report can further be used as a reference for both the producer and the user to somewhat replace the missing metadata information. Clear statements on dataset quality allow to better communicate in a common goal of understanding the geopolitical Caucasus context. The bulk of this report has aimed to illustrate how spatial data from various sources have been collected and made ready for use within a GIS. The different evaluation tests allow to give an overall estimation of the dataset quality. This type of data cannot be used at a scale higher than approximately 1:500 000. This Caucasian dataset has the objective to provide an overall picture of the regional security complex and not a precise localisation of specific real features. This fact has to be kept in mind in the following processing modelling stages. Based on the results of this report, especially the completeness and fitness of the dataset to represent the scope of the model, the Caucasus study will further explore two distinct modelling approaches: (i) a spatial and continuous muticriteria model of instability integrating in a continuous GIS the geopolitical factors, (ii) defining instability indicators values for subnational spatial entities (district units) throughout the Caucasus region. This report provides an adapted methodology to assess quantitatively the quality of a database when no metadata information is available. The elements of data quality are envisaged in a progressive way in this report and thoroughly studied for the settlement layer. The other layers are evaluated in a less in-depth way but allow the test of different methods associated to the three types of features (point, line, polygon).JRC.G.2-Support to external securit

Spatial Permeability Model at the European Union Land Border

In the frame of the ISFEREA action, the JRC IPSC carried out an analysis of the permeability of the EU Eastern land border to a specific class of illegal migration flows. This analysis is based on a preliminary version of a spatial quantitative model of the "green border" permeability. This model was built on the assumption that the flow of illegal migrants is function of the geographical permeability of the border and crossing points, the efficacy to control them by the Authorities, and also function of the driving force defined by people's willingness to cross (push and pull factors). The spatial model developed by the JRC attempts to represent in deep only the first part of this equation, while the modularity of the proposed model may allows further development for a more comprehensive explanation the illegal migration phenomena. With the present release the model uses as input more than 20 spatial datasets ranging from satellite remotely-sensed data, land use land cover, digital terrain model, weather and environmental conditions, presence of population, infrastructures, and physical obstacles, and presence of border control points. The model is focused on the geographic permeability related to a standard adult person having illegal behavior and deciding to cross the green border by foot. The basic criteria implemented in the current release are built around three concepts: the rapidity of walking allowed by the terrain and the weather conditions (walk), the possibility to hide by the physical environment (hide), and the probability to be stopped by a border police agent (secure). The geographic permeability is conceptualized as function inverse of the friction surface calculated using fuzzy multi-criteria methodology with a spatial resolution of 1 kilometer. Friction statistics are related to specific spatial contexts around the border lines (from 1 to 50 km) aggregated at the national and sub-national level between different countries. The model confirms the two major entry routes into Europe: the Ukrainian border and the Turkish section of the Greek border. The model shows also the high sensitivity of the potential corridor of Norway but the high number of border points at this boundary seems to be sufficient to protect this entry point. The report concludes that, in spite of limitations linked to data collection and availability, the permeability maps which resulted from this study show the high potential of such a model for the analysis of potential and actual migration flows and related policy planning. This tool could provide an opportunity to test different “what-if” scenarios about the driving forces of illegal migratory flows at the external EU land border, to prioritize investments of Member States in border management infrastructures at EU level, and to develop policy advice for relevant internal and external EU policies. This modeling tool can help estimate the impact on permeability of concrete measures, such as changes in the number of border points or number of border guards and in their level of equipment at these particular points. The flexibility of the model also allows for the input of additional data like typology of border points, in order to improve the results. Finally, the development of a more comprehensive model would require the co-operation of and contribution from relevant authorities of the EU Member States as well as FRONTEX.JRC.G.2-Global security and crisis managemen

Gender Dimensions in Geo-spatial Security Research: Disciplinary Confrontations

Several EU policy papers have called for an improved dialogue between security policymakers, social science researchers and science and technology researchers working on security (Pullinger, 2006). To increase the understanding of gender dimensions in security, the traditional technological response can be complemented by socio-political knowledge. Gender inequities in the socio-economic and political spheres can be analysed by such a comprehensive socio-political and technological approach. In the field of geo-spatial security research, Hyndman (2004) proposes to bridge a gap between gender studies and geographical analysis of security. In this paper, a workshop is used to illustrate both the potential and the difficulties of such a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. The workshop aim was to define a geographical and spatial analysis of gender dimensions in security. This paper discusses the gender dimensions in geo-spatial analysis, as well as the pros and cons of an interdisciplinary approach. Integrating the overall complexity of gender dimensions as a spatial component in security monitoring is a promising challenge, but is still to be achieved by the technological community. This paper explains the epistemological and methodological issues and opportunities of this dialogue

Towards Gender Equality in Education and Career in the Earth Observation and GI Sector

Ponència del XXIV ISPRS Congress, 5–9 July 2021. The International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XLIII-B5-2021, 2021, pp.21-27Gender inequality is omnipresent in our society and in the field of education and training, the gender gap is especially evident in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines. While different studies have been conducted about potential reasons explaining this gap, little is known about gender inequality and underlying factors in the Earth Observation and Geoinformatics (EO*GI) domain. To close some parts of this knowledge gap, the initiative Women in Copernicus was established with the overall goal to make women working in the EO*GI field and especially in the Copernicus ecosystem more visible. This paper analyses the results of a survey of 462 women identifying reasons for not choosing STEM education and the barriers related to educational choices in their career path. The main obstacles that hinder choosing a STEM education for these women are stereotypes in society, missing female role models but also culture, television and society message transmitted by the media. The lack of self-confidence is an essential factor in this choice and is also experienced as a barrier during individual career paths. This analysis provides insights valuable for political decisions making targeting at a gender-balanced work environment and emphasizes the importance of attracting more girls and young women towards a STEM education and supporting them during their career to reach skills and occupational equality and strengthen the economic development of the EO*GI sector

Geographic information needs of local and regional authorities in Belgium

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

From Real Time Border Monitoring to a Permeability Model

International Migration has risen to the top of the global policy agenda. This paper assesses the potential use of satellite imagery to monitor flows of people across borders. The objective of this "border monitoring" assessement is to contribute to the development of scenarios on potential future migartion through land borders and to develop recommendations for border management. The study begins with an assessement of statistical and earth observation information datasets to monitor border crossing in real time. Due to the unavailabity of relevant data, this study evolved towards an indirect definition of migrants' likelihood to cross the border (the border permeability). The permeability model combines earth observation and geo-spatial technologies with formal decision theory to assess the likelihood that a border area may be crossed by an illegal migrant, based on a presumed cost/oppportunity behavioural strategy. Two preliminary permeability models were developed on two different areas, the EU-25 land border and the Central African region. The resulting permeability maps help in the overall understanding of illegal migration patterns. In the border monitoring process, they help to identify high permeability areas where change detection analysis can be carried out using medium resolution satellite imagery.JRC.G.2-Global security and crisis managemen

Analyzig spatial drivers in quantitative conflict studies: the potential and challenges of geographic information systems

The objective of this literature review is to understand where GIS can be useful to address security issues and how it has been used up till now. While the geographic drivers of territorial conflicts have been extensively described by a number of political studies, the quantitative analysis of these drivers is quite new. This study traces an evolution from conceptual research to quantitative development. It then discusses the advantages and challenges of applying new geographic techniques to analyze spatial drivers of conflict. We identify (i) the main spatial components in conflict and security, (ii) the existing type of information/data and (iii) the quantitative methods used. We describe the spatial component of security by looking at: (i) the main socio-political concepts linked to territory, (ii) the kind of geographic concepts linked to territory (iii) measures used to describe such geographic concepts and (iv) the issues raised in any attempt to integrate geographic concepts into a GIS. We conclude that GIS tools can be useful in the analysis of civil disputes, particularly where sub-national level data exists. This paper shows that spatial processing tools in GIS allow one to represent some spatial components and to address new issues such as the fuzzy complexity of border permeability.JRC.G.2-Global security and crisis managemen

Land Cover / Land Use mapping and dasymetric modelling for improved risk management in compliance with INSPIRE directive

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

Cartographie de l’occupation et de l’utilisation du sol et modélisation dassymétrique pour une meilleure gestion des risques en répondant à la directive INSPIRE

RESUME. Dans un contexte d’urbanisation et d’augmentation des risques des habitants à cause du changement climatique, les autorités doivent élaborer des plans de gestion pour comprendre, mesurer et cartographier les risques. Cet article traite de l'utilisation des géodonnées, des analyses spatiales et de la télédétection pour développer des méthodes de cartographie d’occupation / utilisation du sol mais aussi de densité de population. Ces cartes sont essentielles dans l’analyse des risques, que ce soit dans l’évaluation des dangers ou dans l’exposition de la population mais elles répondent également aux exigences de la directive européenne INSPIRE et donc aux obligations de l’administration. ABSTRACT. In the context of steady urban population growth and increased risk to these populations due to climate change, cities need to develop management strategies to understand, measure, map and mitigate the challenges and risks. This article deals with the use of geodata, spatial analysis and remote sensing to develop land-cover / land-use mapping and population density methods. These maps are not only essential in the risk analysis, whether in the assessment of hazards or in the exposure of the population, but they also meet the requirements of the European directive INSPIRE and therefore the obligations of the administration.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Gender Dimensions in Geo-spatial Security Research: Disciplinary Confrontations

Several EU policy papers have called for an improved dialogue between security policymakers, social science researchers and science and technology researchers working on security (Pullinger, 2006). To increase the understanding of gender dimensions in security, the traditional technological response can be complemented by socio-political knowledge. Gender inequities in the socio-economic and political spheres can be analysed by such a comprehensive socio-political and technological approach. In the field of geo-spatial security research, Hyndman (2004) proposes to bridge a gap between gender studies and geographical analysis of security. In this paper, a workshop is used to illustrate both the potential and the difficulties of such a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. The workshop aim was to define a geographical and spatial analysis of gender dimensions in security. This paper discusses the gender dimensions in geo-spatial analysis, as well as the pros and cons of an interdisciplinary approach. Integrating the overall complexity of gender dimensions as a spatial component in security monitoring is a promising challenge, but is still to be achieved by the technological community. This paper explains the epistemological and methodological issues and opportunities of this dialogue.JRC.G.2-Support to external securit