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

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

Users’ Assessment of Orthoimage Photometric Quality for Visual Interpretation of Agricultural Fields

Land cover identification and area quantification are key aspects of implementing the European Common Agriculture Policy. Rightfulness of support provided to farmers is monitored using the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), with land cover identification performed by photointerpretation. While the geometric orthoimage quality required for correct photointerpretation is well understood, little is known about the photometric quality needed for LPIS applications. This paper analyzes the orthoimage quality characteristics chosen by authors as being most suitable for visual identification of agricultural fields. We designed a survey to assess users’ preferred brightness and contrast ranges for orthoimages used for LPIS purposes. Survey questions also tested the influence of a background color on the preferred orthoimage brightness and contrast, the preferred orthoimage format and color composite, assessments of orthoimages with shadowed areas, appreciation of image enhancements and, finally, consistency of individuals’ preferred brightness and contrast settings across multiple sample images. We find that image appreciation is stable at the individual level, but preferences do vary across respondents. We therefore recommend that LPIS operators be enabled to personalize photometric settings, such as brightness and contrast values, and to choose the displayed band combination from at least four spectral bands.JRC.H.4-Monitoring Agricultural Resource

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 together, the definition used and the developed survey methodology provide a good basis for measuring the value of the national geo-information sector. They suggest to carry out comparable studies in order to increase awareness of the geo-information sector as a sector of economic importance and to stimulate further development and innovation

Producing consistent visually interpreted land cover reference data: learning from feedback

Reference data for large-scale land cover map are commonly acquired by visual interpretation of remotely sensed data. To assure consistency, multiple images are used, interpreters are trained, sites are interpreted by several individuals, or the procedure includes a review. But little is known about important factors influencing the quality of visually interpreted data. We assessed the effect of multiple variables on land cover class agreement between interpreters and reviewers. Our analyses concerned data collected for validation of a global land cover map within the Copernicus Global Land Service project. Four cycles of visual interpretation were conducted, each was followed by review and feedback. Each interpreted site element was labelled according to dominant land cover type. We assessed relationships between the number of interpretation updates following feedback and the variables grouped in personal, training, and environmental categories. Variable importance was assessed using random forest regression. Personal variable interpreter identifier and training variable timestamp were found the strongest predictors of update counts, while the environmental variables complexity and image availability had least impact. Feedback loops reduced updating and hence improved consistency of the interpretations. Implementing feedback loops into the visually interpreted data collection increases the consistency of acquired land cover reference data

Multi-view SDI Assessment Framework

When developing Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) initiatives it is increasingly important to assess their outcomes in order to justify the resources spent on those infrastructures. Many researchers throughout the world have been struggling with the issue of assessing SDIs. The task is difficult due to complex, dynamic and constantly evolving nature of SDI. As SDI can be treated as a Complex Adaptive System, the assessment should include strategies for evaluating those kinds of systems. One strategy is to use multiple assessment approaches and methods. The general evaluation research and experience provide additional motives for adopting such a strategy. We present the multi-view framework for assessing SDI initiatives around the world, and argue that the strength of this assessment design lies in its flexibility, its multidisciplinary view on SDI and a reduced bias in the assessment results. The multi-view framework contains methods that not only evaluate SDI performance, but also deepen our knowledge about SDI functioning, and may assist in its development. The article presents the assessment framework and describes its theoretical grounding in complexity theory and evaluation research. The application of the framework is beyond the scope of this paper

Understanding Governance Dynamics: The Governing System of Spatial Data Infrastructures

The importance and influence of spatial data has risen in all kinds of governmental and non-governmental processes, giving spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) a key role in spatial data sharing and dissemination. SDIs are nowadays challenged by new technologies and user demands. Proper SDI governance seems essential, but it is unclear to what extent current SDI governing systems are fully equipped to deal with the dynamics and complexity of SDIs. This research proposes a governing system framework for analysing the governing system of SDIs, adapted from the concepts of Kooiman. This framework is applied to two Dutch SDI cases: the Risk Map and the New Map of the Netherlands. With the help of the framework, the strong and weak aspects of the governing system of SDIs become more apparent and insights emerge on which interactions, images, instruments, actions and structures enable or constrain SDI governance. By observing changes in governing systems over time, SDI governance dynamics become visible. The governing system framework brings a new perspective to SDIs and SDI theory and is a potentially useful analytical tool for SDI governors

Space-time information analysis for resource-conscious urban planning and design: A stakeholder based identification of urban metabolism data gaps

AbstractThe research presented here examined at which spatial and temporal resolution urban metabolism should be analysed to generate results that are useful for implementation of urban planning and design interventions aiming at optimization of resource flows. Moreover, it was researched whether a lack of data currently hampers analysing resource flows at this desired level of detail. To facilitate a stakeholder based research approach, the SIRUP tool – “Space-time Information analysis for Resource-conscious Urban Planning” – was developed. The tool was applied in a case study of Amsterdam, focused on the investigation of energy and water flows. Results show that most urban planning and design interventions envisioned in Amsterdam require information on a higher spatiotemporal resolution than the resolution of current urban metabolism analyses, i.e., more detailed than the city level and at time steps smaller than a year. Energy-related interventions generally require information on a higher resolution than water-related interventions. Moreover, for the majority of interventions information is needed on a higher resolution than currently available. For energy, the temporal resolution of existing data proved inadequate, for water, data with both a higher spatial and temporal resolution is required. Modelling and monitoring techniques are advancing for both water and energy and these advancements are likely to contribute to closing these data gaps in the future. These advancements can also prove useful in developing new sorts of urban metabolism analyses that can provide a systemic understanding of urban resource flows and that are tailored to urban planning and design

Interplay between land-use dynamics and changes in hydrological regime in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta

Policies supporting rice production and investments in water infrastructure enabled intensification and diversification of farming systems in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) over the past 20 years. Yet, demands of food security, economic development, and climate change continue to pose diverging and often conflicting challenges for water resources management in the upper, central, and coastal zones of the delta. The major changes effected in the VMD’s hydrological regime and land-use patterns are acknowledged in the literature, but few studies have examined the interplay between these dynamics at the delta scale. Based on time-series maps and statistical data on land-use, flooding, and salinity intrusion, we investigated the interrelations between land-use dynamics and changes in hydrological regime across the VMD in three representative periods. Land-use was found to be highly variable, changing by 14.94% annually between 2001 and 2012. Rice cropping underwent the greatest change, evolving from single cropping of traditional varieties towards double and triple cropping of high-yielding varieties. Aquaculture remained stable after rapid expansion in the 1990s and early 2000s. Meanwhile, flooding and salinity intrusion were increasingly controlled by hydrological infrastructure erected to supply freshwater for agriculture. Effects of this infrastructure became particularly evident from 2001 to 2012. During this period, spatial and temporal impacts on flooding and salinity intrusion were found, which extended beyond the rice fields to affect adjacent lands and livelihood activities. Unforeseen effects will likely be aggravated by climate change, suggesting a need to rethink the scale of planning towards a more integrated hydrologic approach