In Europe a major recent development has been the entering in force of the INSPIRE Directive in May 2007,
establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in Europe to support Community environmental policies, and
policies or activities which may have an impact on the environment.
INSPIRE is based on the infrastructures for spatial information established and operated by the 27 Member
States of the European Union. The Directive addresses 34 spatial data themes needed for environmental
applications, with key components specified through technical implementing rules. This makes INSPIRE a unique
example of a legislative ¿regional¿ approach.
One of the requirements of the INSPIRE Directive is to make existing spatial data sets with relevance for
one of the spatial data themes available in an interoperable way, i.e. where the spatial data from different sources
in Europe can be combined to a coherent result.
Since INSPIRE covers a wide range of spatial data themes, the first step has been the development of a
modelling framework that provides a common foundation for all themes. This framework is largely based on the
ISO 19100 series of standards. The use of common generic spatial modelling concepts across all themes is an
important enabler for interoperability.
As a second step, data specifications for the first set of themes has been developed based on the modelling
framework. The themes include addresses, transport networks, protected sites, hydrography, administrative areas
and others. The data specifications were developed by selected experts nominated by stakeholders from all over
Europe. For each theme a working group was established in early 2008 working on their specific theme and
collaborating with the other working groups on cross-theme issues. After a public review of the draft specifications
starting in December 2008, an open testing process and thorough comment resolution process, the draft
technical implementing rules for these themes have been approved by the INSPIRE Committee. After they enter
into force they become part of the legal framework and European Member States have to implement these rules.
The next step is the development of the remaining 25 spatial data themes, which include many themes of
interest for the Earth Sciences including geology, meteorological and oceanographic geographic features, atmospheric
conditions, habitats and biotopes, species distribution, environmental monitoring facilities, and land cover
to name a few. The process will follow in general the same steps as for the first themes and the working groups are
expected to start their work in March/April 2010. The first draft specifications for public comment are expected at
the end of 2010 and the work is scheduled to be completed in 2012.JRC.DDG.H.6-Spatial data infrastructure
