Building European Spatial Data Infrastructures, third edition, demonstrates how public- and private-sector organizations are working together to maximize access to geographic information through SDIs. Over the past two decades, GIS has dramatically changed how spatial information is used, constituting a multibillion-dollar industry.
Building European Spatial Data Infrastructures, third edition, explores the efforts of the European Union (EU) to create a framework for a multinational infrastructure for spatial information in the European Community (INSPIRE). This framework will enable the EU to exploit the myriad opportunities created by modern GIS technologies. This edition presents an overview of the innovative activities being performed by both the public and private sectors to comply with the INSPIRE Directive and explains the rationale and the processes involved in spatial data infrastructure (SDI) development and implementation. Designed as a reference for GIS professionals and decision makers, the chapters promote a general understanding of SDI concepts and provide examples of practical applications.