International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Vol XXXV, Part B4. Istanbul 2004
application. This is where we think that common specifications
are really required. This ‘real’ interoperability must be
achievable at different levels:
e Across borders, the borders being typically the national
borders, but also any geographic or horizontal boundary
between providers
* Across scales, as source data may be provided in different
scale or resolution levels
* Across themes, as the interrelations between themes
should be significantly preserved in the integration
processes — ‘vertical’ interoperability.
We know from current projects (SABE, EuroGlobalMap &
EuroRegionalMap previously mentioned, as well as GiMoDig),
that this is a challenge that needs harmonisation of
* Coordinate reference systems (a quite well understood
process, but which is not as simple and rigorous a we
would expect)
* Positional accuracy and matching (at
horizontally , and between themes — vertically)
* Semantic description of the real world (beyond languages
and cultures)
borders —
* Data modelling (beyond individual platforms and
technology).
This is where EuroSpec can make the difference by proposing
specifications for the Common Reference Data, recognising
also that technical specifications will not solve all
interoperability issues: organisational aspects will be critical for
matching data from different sources, and the efforts required
for the reengineering of the existing databases must not be
minimized.
2. EUROSPEC, THE PROJECT
2.1 Vision
The general vision is to achieve sustainable interoperability of
European mapping (and other GI) — thus answering one of the
main concerns of the GI industry and user community. The goal
therefore is not to create one single centralised database. but is
to implement specifications, processes and services built upon a
decentralised strategy within which a user can identify,
transform, integrate and access the information they require
when they want to.
This vision is shared with INSPIRE, and is the core of the
EuroGeographics strategy, which also sets out a number of key
projects that are designed to facilitate achieving the goal of
interoperability. These projects include:
e A new metadata service to provide better information
about, and access to, existing national and European
reference data:
e Pricing and licensing guidelines to remove some of the
‘business’ barriers to using geographic information: and,
e The development of European specifications for reference
data.
This paper addresses the latter project, as being the core of the
EuroSpec strategy and implementation, as well as its position
within the wider programme context.
2.2 Rationale
A large part of the work done within the INSPIRE work groups
is justification enough of the needs for common specification
for reference data. It would in particular support some the most
fundamental of the 12 key policy principles underlying
INSPIRE (INSPIRE data policy position paper, http://www.ec-
gis.org/inspire/) ;
Principle 3- Datasets made available through the INSPIRE
programme shall be provided to harmonised data specifications
and to common standards.
Principle 6- Reference Data, the scope and composition of
which shall be specified by INSPIRE, will provide the
underpinning framework to which INSPIRE thematic data will
be referenced.
Principle 11- The unimpeded flow of data and information
between (a) the Commission and Member States, (b) Member
States, (c) local authorities and (d) members of the public shall
be assured.
The development of European specifications and the move
towards the broader goal of interoperability is timely for a
number of reasons.
Improve efficiency and effectiveness of governance
At the European level the development of a European Spatial
Data Infrastructure (ESDI) has gained considerable momentum
through the INSPIRE initiative. The National Mapping and
Cadastre Agencies have a key role to play in providing the
reference data that will underpin the ESDI, and the
development of European specifications through this project
will be an important component of the infrastructure.
The European Commission needs ‘borderless’ geographic
information to inform the development, implementation and
monitoring of policies. This covers the environment (including
impact assessment), water quality, forest monitoring, regional
development and planning, agriculture and transport. Greater
access and use of geographic information is also important
within the context of the EC's ambition to develop the ‘e’
economy as part of its eEurope action plan. EuroGeographics is
already supplying data (SABE, EuroGlobalMap) to support
some of the functions of the European Commission, data that is
also being adopted at the national level to meet Member State
reporting requirements, for example, for the Water Framework
Directive. User experience with these products however, is
already creating demand for larger scale (and higher quality)
datasets.
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