Shaping the European Spatial Data Infrastructure Network (ESDIN)

More than 60 users of geographical information from 20 countries met recently in Paris to discuss how their specialist knowledge can contribute to the European Spatial Data Infrastructure Network (ESDIN).

The meeting, the first involving representatives from European postal and transport services, military, local and regional government, and software companies, established two types of reference groups to help develop services to integrate existing national spatial data infrastructures to create the definitive pan-European location framework.

This will give users of geographical information access to the rich resource of reference data - such as co-ordinates, administrative boundaries, transport networks, cadastral parcels and hydrography at various levels of detail - available from the national mapping and cadastral agencies of the European Union Member States, candidate countries and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States. At the same time, the project will also help these organisations to meet the requirements of the Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE) Directive.

ESDIN, which is co-funded by the European Commission and co-ordinated by EuroGeographics, is also investigating ways to reliably and cost-effectively download, use and re-use geographical information from the public sector.

The seven expert reference groups will help to avoid any duplication of effort in overcoming the technical and business obstacles which restrict easy access to joined-up data across national borders. Members will be invited to review and comment on the plans and progress of the project, to provide guidance and advice and to participate in testing activities.

Those who simply want to follow the progress of ESDIN can join the observer reference group to receive regular updates.

Internet: www.esdin.eu