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Dear Readers,
The notion of spatial data infrastructure (SDI) across the world is not new. Initiatives are concurrent at quite a number of nations, deliverables have been conceptualized and in many cases certain products have also been delivered. At this point, one can approach the whole discourse in a different perspective. Here is a case where there is an existing mandated ‘need’ – a need for cooperation for information use. Technologies have been identified to address this need. Organizations have born. Products are taking shape. Investments and funds are getting generated. And finally there are conferences, workshops and seminars happening. However, what remains slightly in dark is this ‘geospatial community’ that shall seamlessly use the seamless data. In simple words, what can make SDIs (and more importantly GSDI) become alive and working in the longer run, thinking irrespective of the expert GI agencies? Who is the SDI community and what does it need? The point was raised a number of times in the day. D Nert, in his presentation this day, put forth an interesting thought that natural communities are non-hierarchical. However, SDI conceptualization as a dataset is often conceptualized in a hierarchical mode. The design and formation of SDI that goes in tandem with the natural communities forming the main share of SDI’s prospective users. The day had interesting discourses broadly categorized over two heads of plenary sessions. First session before the lunch had a theme on, The societal relevance of SDIs : A Vision Ahead. The post lunch had the topic of ‘SDI for a Sustainable Future’ . Happy Reading.
The societal relevance of SDIs : A Vision Ahead
This was a thought-provoking session. It promised to capture the essence of many questions raised in the first day. Societal relevance of any spatial data infrastructure can be theoretically assumed to be many. Its relevance with respect the data usage in various application areas, with respect to the data generation techniques, data manipulation and usage in direct and indirect sense and finally with respect to the decision support it provides for stakeholders in the society can be assumed in many general terms. However, discussing the relevance of SDI as a concept in relation to a ‘geospatial’ society or community makes the issue more specific and measurable. It then perhaps calls for case descriptions and white papers that relate community development with data infrastructures. The session had presentations from public as well as private sector GI agencies that tried to recapitulate cases of their data and service usage. While the papers of the public sector agencies again invariably spoke of the organizations, their data and its description; the private companies spoke of the products and their robust-ness. Society or community remained elusive both at the concept as well as the case study level. Relationship of SDI with development and governance were made at certain points. SDI for a sustainable future “We need to take GIS off its isolated island.” This statement made by presentation by Mr. Mike on behalf of Bart from Intergraph set the session rolling in the right direction. GIS is still a technique enjoyed by experts who know it and develop it. It is still a science where its doctors have to be called for once a shortcoming is detected. However, with the present development and proliferation of this technology it can actually become far ahead of what it is. The movement of securing SDIs at various strategic levels across the world is another complimentary move that can now take GIS out of its ‘expert-driven’ attire and bring it to a platform (read SDI) that is open for all and shaped as per needs. Another noteworthy presentation was by Harlan Onsrud, where he brought in the important perspective of ‘Incentive Premise’. He very pragmatically emphasized upon the fact that to invite participation and thoroughfare in the SDI initiative from one and all, only policies will not do. It needs steps and thought processes that shall need to build upon incentive premises for sharing spatial data. Various points were raised that had parallel lines to business models and economic sustainability concepts. It basically told us that to keep SDIs running and active, one needs to constantly look at its operational, cost and administrative aspects. Doug Nert’s presentation also is worth mentioning. He pushed in the fact that SDI has to be understood as a community rather than just a concept or a product. Once it is a community, it shall be working on its own in the longer run. The reason to understand it as a community is critical because both share similar working models, needs and operate in similar manner to resolve conflicts. He also mentioned that problem solving validates the application functions and formation of any SDI. Problem solving should be taken as a benchmark for each SDIs in terms of its measure of effectiveness and monitoring. Spatial World Expo The conference also had a parallel tradeshow running in Hotel Grand Ashok. This exhibition was quite happening with steady flow visitors around the clock. The exhibition had 27 exhibitors spread over around 1000 sq ft. It was interesting to visit the Reliance India stall that demonstrated data for over 200 Indian cities in various layers developed from IKONOS. Noteworthy large stalls with wide range of display were those of Survey of India, ESRI, Intergraph, Space Imaging, etc. |
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