Building European Spatial Data Infrastructures

Written by one of the world's leading experts on spatial data infrastructures (SDIs), this book explores existing European SDIs and the efforts of the European Union to create a framework for a multinational Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE) in order to exploit the many opportunities being created by modern geographic information technologies. The institutional and decision-making context within which SDIs must be developed requires partnerships between the public and private sectors, and concerted government action will play a key role in helping INSPIRE oversome political and institutional barriers. The author discusses the steps needed to create a legal framework for the wide-ranging project and identifies key strategic issues for future SDI development.