https://icaci.org/files/documents/national_reports/2011-2015/croatia.pdf

Cartography in Croatia 2011-2015 National Report to the ICA 16th General Assembly Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2015

Spatial data seamless exchange and interoperable usage has become a necessity in efficient data management and competitive positioning in the European Union. Conceptual and technical framework for the spatial data and services interoperability is specified within the EU INSPIRE Directive. The Directive provides flexible and modular structure, giving the opportunity for customisation of the data specifications and usage. From the data publisher level to the European spatial data infrastructure, this opened the question of disharmony of the spatial data structure and sharing. Arisen challenges in data harmonisation process are thus subject of interest for different formalisation approaches.

This study approaches the spatial data harmonisation process focusing on the area of Western Balkans, the region of Europe with countries that have similar interest for implementation of the INSPIRE Directive. With the main aim to propose the improvement to regional data harmonisation process, the study is focused on geology as the spatial theme. The study (1) analyses the INSPIRE data harmonisation process, (2) assesses critical factors of the process in the region and (3) tests the implementation of the INSPIRE data model harmonised in accordance with user needs. 

Results of the analysis present the structure and formalisation concepts of the INSPIRE data model, its extensibility, means for securing interoperability and standardised approach in defining data model elements. Critical factors of the harmonisation process are assessed through semi-structured questionnaire answered by competent representatives of the Western Balkans countries. The results show that, on a regional level, spatial data managers have made progress towards compliance and are familiar with the Directive. However, they lack a coordinated approach and implementation guidance. Aside from the low capacities, due to the current state of the data structures, harmonisation is a highly complex process and a goal that is difficult to reach. The outcomes of the INSPIRE defined harmonisation process and user needs are implemented on a practical example, a INSPIRE Theme Geology dataset from a Western Balkans region stakeholder. The user needs and data model structure characteristics of the regional geology dataset were integrated in the formal description of the source and transformed to target INSPIRE data model. The concept required structuring the source model to meet both INSPIRE and local requirements.
The study general aim was reached by implementing the INSPIRE data harmonisation with fulfilling the main objectives – creating market-oriented, interoperable and accessible dataset, meeting national legal requirements towards the geological data management and increasing efficiency of data usage. Further application of the developed approach is seen as the implementation methodology for other INSPIRE themes and other geographical regions.

/pdf/spatial-data-harmonisation-in-regional-context-in-accordance-58n2a1zr7t.pdf

Spatial Data Harmonisation in Regional Context in Accordance with INSPIRE Implementing Rules

Developing an efficient property valuation system using the LADM valuation information model: A Croatian case study

Geoportals are a consolidated web-based solution to provide open spatial data sharing and online geo-information management. Their roles and possible advancements according to the Digital Earth vis...

Current status and future directions of geoportals

Implementation of spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) can maximize access to geographic information (GI) and, through geoportals or other access points, serve as a powerful tool in different fields of practice and specialization. In many countries, the most important sources of infrastructure reference data are survey databases and land information systems managed by surveying and mapping services. However, the SDI frequently has a more interdisciplinary character, which influences the value derived from its use by different communities. This paper aims to present the evaluation criteria of SDI usefulness and usability in the implementation of certain land-surveying tasks. The case study focuses on the Polish SDI (PSDI) and its main access point, Geoportal 2. SDI evaluation considers information and support provided by Geoportal 2, as well as the infrastructure’s impact on use process and user organizational performance. Surveyors consider the PSDI a resource for information from geodetic and cart...

Evaluating Spatial Data Infrastructure as a Data Source for Land Surveying

The INSPIRE Directive requires actions from EU member states and also has direct implications on the countries in the neighbourhood of the EU, regardless of whether they are candidate countries or not. Preconditions for EU membership, to which actually all the countries of Western Balkan (WB) countries aspire is their administrative capacity to incorporate the EU acquis, to fulfil the adopted standards and to execute the assumed obligations. INSPIRE Directive is just one but very important piece of legislation in environmental acquis and is a part of negotiation processes between the European Commission and candidate countries. This paper provides an analysis of the existing status and conditions of National Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDIs) in WB countries. Results of analysis clearly show that in all countries there are ongoing initiatives on NSDI implementation in line with INSPIRE. The level of implementation between countries however differs but they are all on the right track. In the paper the ma...

Development of NSDIs in Western Balkan Countries in accordance with INSPIRE

This paper summarises some recent developments in INSPIRE implementation from the JRC point of view. The INSPIRE process started some 11 years ago and today some clear results and benefits could be seen. Spatial data are more accessible and more shared across the countries and on the European level. Despite of that, an efficient and unique coordination and collaboration between different stakeholders and participants has been achieved which is another great success. JRC as a scientific brain of European Commission plays a very important role in this process from the very beginning. This role is in line with its mission which is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. The JRC acts as the overall technical coordinator of INSPIRE but it also carries out the activities necessary to support a coherent implementation of INSPIRE by helping the Member States in the implementation. The experiences from collaboration and negotiation in each country and on the European level will be of high importance in the revision of INSPIRE Directive which is foreseen in 2014.

/pdf/inspire-from-the-jrc-point-of-view-wutfp7vlr2.pdf

INSPIRE from the JRC Point of View

The Abstract Test Suite (ATS) included in the Annex A of Data Specification aims at easing the conformance testing process. It includes a set of tests that need to be applied on a data set to evaluate whether it is conformant to the requirements on interoperability of spatial data included in this data specification. Purpose of the ATS is to primarily help to data providers. ATS sums up requirements appearing in the text of this data specification and adds further relevant information, explanations, notes, etc.

Katalin Tóth

Papers

Development of NSDIs in Western Balkan Countries in accordance with INSPIRE

INSPIRE from the JRC Point of View

Abstract Test Suite for INSPIRE Data Specifications