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INSPIRE

Joep Crompvoets

Wageningen, 27 January 2015

Why do we need an European Spatial Data Infrastructure?

Who will benefit of an European Spatial Data Infrastructure?

Who knows what is INSPIRE?

What is INSPIRE?

What does this EU Directive include?

Questions

Motivation for an European SDI

and the role of spatial data within SDI

Project funded by the

European Commission

EUROSION

OBJECTIVE

“To provide the European Commission with a package of recommendations on policy and management measures to address coastal erosion in the EU.

These recommendations should be based on a thorough assessment of the state of coastline and of the response options available at each level of administration.”

Moderately vulnerable areas

Lowly vulnerable areas

Highly vulnerable areas (hotspot)

Assessment of European coastlineExample of Ajaccio Bay

Analysis

Vulnerable areas andMonitoring indicators

In terms of

Lives at riskEconomy at risk

Nature at risk

ElevationBathymetryAdministrative boundariesHydrographyInfrastructureErosion patterns (CCEr)Sediment discharges from riversHydrodynamics and sea level riseLand cover (LC) and LC changesLaws and decreesNationally designated areasSocial and economical profiles

From Data to Information

INFORMATION PROBLEMS

A large variety of formats exist

Many geographical gaps still remain

Reference systems are not harmonized

Many data sources are not consistent

Scales are not compatible

All data are not interoperable

Costs and access restrictions

Issue No. 1 - A large variety of formats exists

Integration of various formats is time consuming and uncertain

- Satellite images

- Maps

- Aerial photographs

- Diagrams

- Statistics

- Reports

- Databases- Etc.

Issue No. 2 – Many geographical gaps still remain

Geological data at scale 1:50,000(source: BRGM, France)

Need to identify the gaps and make priorities to bridge them

Reference system 1 : ETRS89

Issue No. 3 - Reference systems are not harmonized

Need to define a common terrestrial reference system for data production and processing

Reference system 2 : Clarke 80

- 5 m

- 5 m

- 5 m

- 10 m

- 10 m

- 15 m

- 20 m

- 25 m

- 25 m

5 m

5 m

5 m

10 m

10 m

15 m

15 m

15 m

10 m

15 m

Sources 1:

Coastline : SABE (EuroGeographics)Bathymetry : TCIFMS (SHOM)Topography : BDTOPO (IGN)

Sources 2:

Coastline : SABE (EuroGeographics)Bathymetry : GEBCO (BODC)Topography : MONA PRO

Issue No. 4 – Many data sources are not consistent

Need to build pan-european “seamless” data with standard specifications

Issue No. 5 - Scales are not compatible

1:100,000 (source: SABE)

1:250,000 (source: WVS)

Need to adopt a common level of perception and representation of data

0 m < Difference < 50 m

50 m < Difference < 200 m

Difference > 200 m

CORINE Land Cover 1990

SABE Coastline

Issue No. 6 – All the data are not interoperableIssue No. 6 – All the data are not interoperable

Issue No. 7 – Costs and access restrictions

Most existing datasets are “copyrighted”: you do not buy information itself, but a right to use it (“license”)

Dissemination of end-products is restricted(sometimes, end-products have to be

“degraded”)

Quality “label” are not commonly adopted : uncertainty about the products

Issue No. 7 – Costs and access restrictions

26% acquisition of licensed data (e.g. Elevation)

17% update of existing data (e.g. Coastal Erosion)

33% production of missing data (e.g. Hydrodynamics)

24% Format conversion, integration, and quality control

EUROSION database = 2 Millions Euros

CONCLUSIONS

Higher investment costs (2 to 3 times)

Delayed implementation (8 to 10 months)

Uncertain quality

Dissemination constraints

The absence of a European spatial data infrastructure results in:

I N S P I R EI N S P I R EINfrastructure for SPatial InfoRmation in Europe

Main objective INSPIRE

To deliver useful, standardised and high quality data in order to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate European, National andLocal Policy.

Differences between Height Reference Levels

Why INSPIRE? Coastal Erosion

Source: EUROSION Project

Sea Level trends in mm/y

Source: Marcos & Tsimplis, as quoted in JRC/IES

Forest Fire RiskSource: JRC/IES

Source: JRC/IES

Source: JRC/IES

International river basin districts cover more than 60% of the EU territory!

International coordination a huge challenge.

Environmental phenomena do not stop at national borders! 20% of the EU citizens (115

million) live within 50 Kms from a border.

60 million EU citizens live less than half an hour (25 kms) from a border

Near - boundary population importance

115M

82M 70

M64M

60M

60M

59M 45

M39M 23

M22M

16M

12M

16.08.2001

WFD Reporting

(Environmental) policy cycle as basis

– Problem statement– Policy definition– Policy implementation– Policy evaluation– Policy adjustment

Relations with other Directives

Aarhus addresses the public access to environmental information

PSI addresses the re-use of public sector information by third parties

INSPIRE addresses the shared use of spatial data and services between public authorities for the performance of public tasks

One Stop Geo-Portal

CGDI GeoConnections

The global context

EC Proposal for a Directive establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in the

Community – INSPIRE

In Summary:Environmental Needs Better information needed to support

policies [6EAP] Improvement of existing information

flows Diversity across regions to be

considered Revision of approach to reporting and

monitoring, moving to concept of sharing of information

Situation in Europe Data policy restrictions Lack of co-ordination across borders

and between levels of government Lack of standards incompatible

information and information systems Existing data not re-usable

fragmentation of information, redundancy, inability to integrate

Environmental data 90% of is linked to geography Out of 58 data components needed

for environmental policy : 32 are multi-sectoral 16 are environmental only 10 are related to other sectors

These 32 components allow to: link different ENV themes together:

policy coherence link with other sectors: integration

source EEA

From Commission proposal to Community Directive implementation

Preparatory phase (2004-2006)– Co-decision procedure– Preparation of Implementing Rules 2005 – 2008 …

Transposition phase (2007-2008)– 15 May 2007: Directive entered into force– Transposition into national legislation– 26 June 2007: INSPIRE Committee starts its

activities– Adoption of Implementation Rules by Comitology

Implementation phase (2009-2020)– implementation and monitoring of measures

INSPIRE progress

INSPIRE Components

I. Metadata

II. Harmonisation and interoperability of spatial data sets and

services

III. Network services (discovery, view, download, transform,

middleware)

IV. Data and Service sharing (policy)V. Coordination and measures for Monitoring & Reporting

INSPIRE is a Framework DirectiveDetailed technical provisions for the issues above will be laid

down in Implementing Rules (IR)IRs will be submitted to the Committee (comitology)Once decided, IRs will be published as a Regulation

INSPIRE Spatial Data Scope

Annex I

1. Coordinate reference systems

2. Geographical grid systems

3. Geographical names

4. Administrative units

5. Addresses

6. Cadastral parcels

7. Transport networks

8. Hydrography

9. Protected sites

Annex II1. Elevation

2. Land cover

3. Ortho-imagery

4. Geology

Harmonised spatial data specifications more stringent for Annex I and II than for Annex III

Annex III1. Statistical units2. Buildings3. Soil4. Land use5. Human health and safety6. Utility and governmental

services7. Environmental monitoring

facilities8. Production and industrial

facilities9. Agricultural and

aquaculture facilities10.Population distribution –

demography

11.Area management/restriction/regulation zones & reporting units

12.Natural risk zones13.Atmospheric conditions14.Meteorological geographical

features15.Oceanographic geographical

features16.Sea regions17.Bio-geographical regions18.Habitats and biotopes19.Species distribution20.Energy Resources21.Mineral resources

INSPIRE Thematic Scope

I Metadata

Member States shall create metadata and shall keep them up to date

Metadata shall include:– Conformity with IR on interoperability / harmonisation– Conditions for access and use– Quality and validity– The public authorities responsible– Limitations on public access

IR to take into account existing and relevant international standards

Once Implementing Rules adopted:– Created within 2 years for Annex I, II– Created within 5 years for Annex III

II Interoperability of spatial data sets and services

Harmonised data specifications– Annex I, II, III:

• definition and classification of spatial objects• geo-referencing

– Annex I, II:• common system of unique identifiers for spatial objects;• relationship between spatial objects;• key attributes and corresponding multilingual thesauri;• how to exchange the temporal dimension of the data;• how to exchange updates of the data.

public authorities and 3rd parties shall have access to these specifications at conditions not restricting their use

User requirements, existing standards, and cost-benefit considerations to be taken into account in developing the IRs

Cross-border issues shall be agreed on

Implementing Rules shall be adopted for interoperability and where practical for harmonisation of spatial data sets and services

III Network Services

Member States shall operate a network of the following services available to the public for data sets and services for which metadata has been

created:

Discovery services; No charge View services; No charge (exceptions: large

volumes and high update frequency)

Download services; Transformation services, (middleware) services allowing spatial data services to be

invoked

- Access to services may be restricted (conditions !)- Services shall be available on request to 3rd parties under conditions- INSPIRE Geo-portal shall be established – Member States geo-portals

IV INSPIRE Data Sharing Policy

Member States shall adopt measures for the sharing of data and services between public authorities for public tasks relating to the environment without restrictions occurring at the point of use.

Public authorities may charge, license each other and Community institutions provided this does not create an obstacle to sharing.

When spatial data or services are provided to Community institutions for reporting obligations under Community law relating to the environment then this will not be subject to charging.

Member States shall provide the institutions and bodies of the Community with access to spatial data sets and services in accordance with harmonised conditions.

V INSPIRE Monitoring and Reporting

Member States shall monitor the implementation and use of their infrastructures for spatial information. They shall make the results of this monitoring accessible to the Commission and to the public on a permanent basis.

No later than 3 years MS shall send to the Commission a report including summary descriptions of:– Coordination between public sector providers and

users– Organisation of quality assurance– Relationship with third parties– Contribution made by public authorities to the

functioning of the infrastructure.

• Major differences between Member States regarding the number of reported data sets and services

Experiences in other countries / Annual Monitoring

201415 countries – 70% of data & services with metadata5 countries – 70% of metadata conform9 countries – 70% of the data & services can be discovered2 countries – 70% of the data can be viewed and downloaded

2014 - Germany94% of data & services with conform metadata94% of the data & services can be discovered66% of the data can be viewed and downloaded

• Mostly drafted by NCP• Feedback received from NSDI Stakeholders• Varying in length between 20 – 100 pages• Written in official language -> Translated by official service of

the Commission • Reports freely available at INSPIRE website• Good overview of the progress made by Member States

Overall

Implementation of INSPIRE Directive is well under way

Marked differences between MS in both speed of implementation and its content

Experiences in other countries / 3-Year Reporting

• Most MS established a governance structure • Ministry of environmental matters led mostly the INSPIRE

implementation• Some MS led by NMCA (in tandem with Min. of Environ.)• Difference in involvement • In some MS part of a more broadly based infrastructure• Great attention needed to train staff and raise awareness• Limited information about the INSPIRE/NSDI usage• Difference in data sharing arrangements• Lack of knowledge and skills considered as one of the main

barriers• Few MS able to provide info about costs/benefits

Experiences in other countries / 3-Year Reporting

Overview of 2014 Reporting

See, Masser, I. and Crompvoets, J., (2015). Building European Spatial Data Infrastructures. 3th Edition. ESRI Press. 100 pgs.

Experiences in other countries / 3-Year Reporting

INSPIRE Roadmap (1/4)

Article

Mile-stone

Description

20020077

XX Entry into force of INSPIRE DirectiveEntry into force of INSPIRE Directive

22§2 2007

X+ 3m

Establishment of the INSPIRE Committee

5§416(a)

16(b)

21(4)

17(8)

2008

X + 1y

Adoption of IRs for the creation and up-dating of the metadata

Adoption of IRs for Network Services

NS Implementing Rules 1: Adoption of IRs for “upload and discovery” and view services

Adoption of IRs for monitoring and reporting

Adoption of IRs governing access and rights of use to spatial data sets and services for Community institutions and bodies

16(a) 2009

X + 2y

NS Implementing Rules 2: Adoption of IRs for download and Transformation Services

9(a) 2009

X + 2y

Adoption of IRs for the interoperability and harmonisation of spatial data sets and services for Annex I spatial data themes

19§2 2009

X + 2y

MS designate a contact point (as early as possible; at latest X+2y = end of transposition phase)

Bold means: explicitly mentioned in the directive, including a timingBold + italics: explicitly mentioned but without timing Italics: proposal for subdivision from what is mentioned in the directive, including a proposed timing

Article Milestone Description

24§1 2009 X +2y Provisions of Directive are brought into force in MS (transposition date)

17§1 Implementation of data sharing framework of spatial data sets and services between public bodies

21§1 Implementation of provisions on monitoring

6(a) 2010 X + 3y Metadata available for spatial data corresponding to Annex I and Annex II spatial data themes

16(a) 2010 X + 3y NS Implementing Rules 3: Adoption of IR for invoke “spatial data service” Network Service

2010 X + 3y NS Operation 1 : “Upload and Discovery” and View Network services operational

15§2 2010 X + 3y The EC establishes and runs a geo-portal at Community level

21§2 2010 X + 3y Member States’ First Report to the Commission. From then onwards MS have to present reports every 3 years

INSPIRE Roadmap (2/4)

Article Mile-stone

Description

7§39(a)

2011 X + 4y(2 + 2)

Newly collected and extensively restructured spatial data sets available in accordance with IRs for interoperability and harmonisation of spatial data sets and services for Annex I spatial data themes

2011 X + 4y NS Operation 2 : Download and Transformation services operational

9(b) 2012 X + 5y Adoption of IRs for the interoperability and harmonisation of spatial data sets and services for Annex II and Annex III spatial data themes

2012 X + 5y NS Operation 3 : invoke “Spatial Data service” service operational

6(b) 2013 X + 6y Metadata available for spatial data corresponding to Annex III spatial data themes

23 2014 X + 7y Commission’s report to the EP and the Council. From then onwards the Commission has to present reports every 6 years

7§39(b)

2014 X + 7y(2 + 5)

Newly collected and extensively restructured spatial data sets available in accordance with IRs for interoperability and harmonisation of spatial data sets and services for Annex II and III spatial data themes

INSPIRE Roadmap (3/4)

Article Mile-stone

Description

7§39(a)

2017 X + 9y(7 + 2)

Other spatial data sets available in accordance with IRs for interoperability and harmonisation of spatial data sets and services for Annex I spatial data themes

7§39(b)

2020 X +12y(7 + 5)

Other spatial data sets available in accordance with IRs for interoperability and harmonisation of spatial data sets and services for Annex II and III spatial data themes

INSPIRE Roadmap (4/4)

Latest remarks on INSPIRE

• Coordination of INSPIRE appears to be problematic• For better coordination, use softer steering• Need to balance INSPIRE requirements with other

EU, national requirements (e-gov, PSI)• Lack of economic success stories regarding INSPIRE

implementation• INSPIRE articles on data sharing are most confusing• Pending legal reform is a cause for many legal

uncertainties• No clear guidelines to follow for organisations at

stake.

Concluding remarks

• INSPIRE provides an interesting model for developing an infrastructure in the full meaning of the word, i.e. including technical challenges, shared practices, organisational settings and cooperative partnerships

• Its development requires a lot of time, resources and effort, but the added value of shared ownership of processes and outcomes can hardly be underestimated.

• Uncertainties on how to deal with new developments • major commercial players (Google earth, Virtual earth)• Crowdsourcing initiatives • Open Data initiatives

Conclusions

INSPIRE is an important political step towards more efficient use of geo-information for the purposes of environmental policies or policies with an impact on the environment

Removing obstacles in data sharing between public authorities is THE key issue

National and Regional SDIs are building blocks for the European SDI.

Bottom-up, open and transparent development of Implementing Rules through stakeholder participation

Questions??