Spatial Data Infrastructures at Work: Analysing the Spatial Enablement of Public Sector Processes

Annex 1: Collected definitions of SDI

227 Annex 1: Collected definitions of SDI Class Definition A Components B Objectives A1 whole A2 list B1 data B2a user B2b broader (1) Spatial Data Infrastructures are foremost social networks of people and organisations, in which technology and data play a supportive role. The technology is cheap, data is expensive, but social relations are invaluable. (Craglia et al., 2009) X (2) The components of a spatial data infrastructure should include sources of spatial data, databases and metadata, data networks, technology (dealing with data collection, management and representation), institutional arrangements, policies and standards and end-users. (McLaughlin et al., 1992) X (2) A national spatial data infrastructure comprises four core components institutional framework, technical standards, fundamental datasets, and clearing house networks (ANZLIC, 1996). X (2) The concept of a spatial data infrastructure is extended to include more than just the data itself – it now encompasses all organisations and customers involved in the entire process, from data capture to data access, including the geodetic framework. (Land Victoria 1999 homepage of GI Connections, cited by Chan et al., 2001) X (3) Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) is about the facilitation and coordination of the exchange and sharing of spatial data between stakeholders in the spatial data community. (Crompvoets et al., 2004) X (3) An SDI is an evolving concept about facilitating and coordinating the exchange and sharing of spatial data and services between stakeholders form different levels in the spatial data community. (Hjelmager et al., 2008) X 228 Class Definition A Components B Objectives A1 whole A2 list B1 data B2a user B2b broader (3) A“Spatial (data/information/knowledge/ expertise) infrastructure”should be more than a geographic information infrastructure. It is the spatial integration component for an information society system, which is the important interoperability element of a future information society. (Hoffmann, F. (1999). GI definition, A message sent to GI-2000 discussion list, Received May 1999.) X (5) National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) means the technology, policies, standards and human resources necessary to acquire, process, store, distribute, and improve utilization of geospatial data. (Executive Office of the President, 1994). X X (5) An NSDI is one which makes effective use of computer and communications technologies for the efficient acquisition, management, and dissemination of spatial data and information on a national basis. (Thompson, 1995) X X (5) National SDI is an umbrella of policies, standards, and procedures under which organisations and technologies interact to foster more efficient use, management, and production of geospatial data. (FGDC, 1997) X X (5) The Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure is the technology, standards, access systems and protocols necessary to harmonize all of Canada’s geospatial data bases, and make them available in the Internet. (CGDI, 2003) X X (5) The relevant base collection of technologies, policies and institutional arrangements that facilitate the availability of and access to spatial data. The SDI provides a basis for spatial data discovery, evaluation, and application for users and providers within all levels of government, the commercial sector, the non-profit sector, academia and by citizens in general. (GSDI, 2004) X X 229 Class Definition A Components B Objectives A1 whole A2 list B1 data B2a user B2b broader (5) Spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) provide a basis for spatial data discovery, evaluation, and application, and include the following elements: Geographic data: the actual digital geographic data and information. Metadata: the data describing the data (content, quality, condition, and other characteristics). It permits structured searches and comparison of data in different clearinghouses and gives the user adequate information to find data and use it in an appropriate context. Framework: includes base layers, which will probably differ from location to location. It also includes mechanisms for identifying, describing, and sharing the data using features, attributes, and attribute values, as well as mechanisms for updating the data without complete re-collection. Services: to help discover and interact with data and provide direct answers to the questions of users. Clearinghouse: to actually obtain the data. Clearinghouses support uniform, distributed search through a single user interface; they allow the user to obtain data directly, or they direct the user to another source. Standards: created and accepted at local, national, and global levels. Partnerships: the glue that holds it together. Partnerships reduce duplication and the cost of collection and leverage local/national/ global technology and skills. Education and Communication: allowing individual citizens, scientists, administrators, private companies, government agencies, non-government organizations, and academic institutions with local...