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Abstract
Map world forum 2009
From Local to Global – Embedding the Use of Spatial
Data Infrastructure in e-Governance Processes
Dr Robert Barr OBE
MANCHESTER GEOMATICS
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
UNITED KINGDOM
robert.barr@manchester.ac.uk
Abstract
The concept of spatial data infrastructures appears to be coming of age. At global, continental, national,
regional and local levels much rhetoric is being expended on the advantages of an effective spatial data
infrastructure. In Europe, the INSPIRE programme has been agreed to by the European Parliament and
has passed into the legislation of the member states. The United Kingdom Government has just released
a Locational Strategy which will guide the development of the UK Spatial Data Infrastructure in the
context of INSPIRE. Yet, on the ground, in local and central governments, the enthusiasm for general
purpose centrally controlled infrastructures is much less obvious. Implementing e-governance processes
is difficult enough for many programme managers not to want to become embroiled in the many political
and economic issues associated with the development of a spatial data infrastructure. Yet, unless data for
an infrastructure emerges from mission critical applications and is maintained through use, it is destined
to fail. This presentation will explore these issues from commercial, academic and local government
perspectives based on the author’s active engagement in all three arenas. It will argue that, to succeed
a spatial data infrastructure must satisfy four criteria: it must be demonstrably in the public interest; it
must concentrate on data which should be collected once and used many times; it must be sustainably
financed and there should be an effective, though lightweight mechanism of governance. Examples will
be presented from spatial and other data infrastructures, to illustrate what appears to work and what
does not.
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