NSDI in Germany
by Bernd Teichert
Key words: National Spatial Data Infrastructure, Metadata,
Geographic Information System, Data Access, Data Exchange, Standards.
Abstract
Computer assisted Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) and digital data processing are essential to todays practices.
Due to the complex tasks there is a high demand in many areas for
accurate spatially related data. Geodata provide the essential
building blocks for successful information systems. Up-to-date areas
of application are all modern technologies in the fields of public
planning and administration, conservation, traffic control and
telecommunication all the way to the use of geodata on the Internet.
The problem in Europe as well as in Germany
concerning NSDI at the moment is that the future growth is hampered by
major differences in the way geographic information is collected,
stored and distributed in different sectors of government and
commerce. There is still no conclusive policy on digital geographic
information, nore are there operational standards for data definition
and exchange. Readily available basic data sets and knowledge
infrastructure all over Europe is still missing. The main impediments
to the successful use of geographic information in Europe are not
technical, but political and organisational.
There is a policy framework required to set up and
maintain a stable set of agreed rules, standards, procedures,
guidelines and incentives for creating, collecting, exchanging and
using geographic information. Policy has to create the conditions for
competitive, plentiful, rich and differentiated supply of geographic
information which is easily identifiable and easily accessible for the
benefit of the citizen, society and the economy. Based on the
questionnaire of Harlan Onsrud this paper shows the german activities
about NSDI.
Bernd Teichert
University of Applied Siences Dresden
Friedrich-List-Platz 1
D-01069 Dresden
GERMANY
E-mail: teichert@htw-dresden.de
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