COMMISSION 3 IN PROGRESS
Jes RYTTERSGAARD, Denmark
Key words: Commission 3, Information Management,
NSDI, Internet, e-commerce.
Abstract
Soon no one will think of spatial data as something special. In
time with integration of spatial information in the various
information systems, there will be a strong need for people skilled in
Spatial Information Management. That is people who can manage the
technical and organisational aspects of combining data and in turning
raw data into understandable information.
Presentation of Commission 3
Commission 3, Spatial Information Management, is responsible for:
1) Management of land, property and hydrographic information and the
related processes, procedures and resources, 2) Spatial Data
Infrastructure - data models, standards, availability and legal
aspects, management of spatial knowledge, 3) The impacts on
organisational structure, business models, professional practice and
administration, 4) Management of spatial information supporting
sustainable development.
Information on the Commission and its activities and results are
available on the Commission homepage on http://fig3.boku.at.
Future Activities
Since 1998 the main activities has been dedicated to Spatial Data
Infrastructure. Even though it is very essential topics it is only a
limited part of issues related to Spatial Information Management.
Technological developments such as remote sensing, real time
positioning, personal navigation, Internet, hand held devices and
broadband network offers the citizens, public administration and
business possibilities for access to information and services that was
unforeseeable a few years ago.
Citizens will expect that all information, independent of where it
is stored, will be available at their fingertips present as well as
historical versions 24 hours a day. The geographic based information
systems will directly or indirectly influence the way that the public
administration is organized. The users will take it for granted that
it is possible to combine data from different sources. To handle this
situation the geo information business has to be reorganized. We will
see new business units based on partnership and strategic alliances.
Some of these business units will be global.
Challenges
The chairmanship has formulated "Experiences and Visions"
concerning Spatial Information Management (see http://fig3.boku.at).
An examination of "Experiences and Visions" shows that the
sub-statements can be divided up into six groups: infrastructure
including data modelling, modelling, geo-visualisation, organizing
models and business models and education and training. There are a
several sub-themes in each of the six groups. To support a holistic
development of spatial information you need to concentrate on a few
activities.
To make information systems usable for ordinary users it will
become necessary to include knowledge or access to knowledge in the
future spatial information systems. The time has come to speak about
"Spatial Information and Knowledge Management".
In "Experiences and Visions" you can find advice on the
various aspects of National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). It has
to be stated that data modelling and defining semantics in spatial
data are very fundamental topic within NSDI.
Presentation of data requires decisions on how to select and how to
manipulate data. In this context model generalization and cartographic
generalization are the hot issues.
The last area is modelling of our physical surroundings combined
with tools for analysing of the models and changes introduced into the
models.
Visualization of spatial information on a screen is very different
from visualization on a map. There is a strong need for examples and
standards for visualization of spatial information, geo-visualization.
As soon as it is possible to have access to different sources with
spatial data and the related knowledge it is time for reengineering
the involved organisation.
At the same time it is a part of the organisational framework to
co-operate on NSDI
Changing from a situation where the national mapping agencies
almost had a monopoly to a marked with a widely distributed supply
chain demands new business models, new prizing algorithms, clarified
rules for copyright, standardized product specifications and access to
Meta-data and it demands partnership and strategic alliances between
the possible players in the spatial information arena.
There is a need for people with qualifications such as management,
standards, data models, meta data, access to data, intellectual
property right, copyright, prizing of data and organizational
developments. Beside there is a need for knowledge on analysis,
modelling, visualization, visual communication etc.
The new technology offers completely new possibilities for training
and education. Distance learning and training are strategic issues in
developing countries.
The Future Role of Commission 3
After a period with very much focus on National Spatial Data
Infrastructure it is time for going deeper into some of the other
elements within the framework of Spatial Information Management:
modelling, geo-visualization, organizing models, business models and
education and training.
My recommendation should be to concentrate the energy of the
Commission on organisational and business models combined with aspects
of NSDI, modelling and geo-visualization and spatial knowledge
management.
CONTACT
Jes Ryttersgaard
Chairperson of FIG Commission 3
Head of Informatics Department
National Survey and Cadastre, Denmark
Rentemestervej 8
DK-2400 Copenhagen
DENMARK
Tel. + 45 35 87 50 22
Fax + 45 35 87 50 51
E-mail: JR@kms.dk
23 March 2001
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