Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications

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    From Little Things Big Things Grow: Building the SDI from Local Government Up
    McDougall, K. ; Rajabifard, A. ; Williamson, I. P. ( 2002)
    The successful building of a multi-jurisdictional SDI has the potential to deliver significant benefits to the community, business and government through improved access to a range of relevant geospatial data. An effective National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) requires the vertical integration of spatial data at all levels of government. With local government being a custodian of a number of key SDI data sets, its role is now recognised as crucial to the development of the State and National Spatial Data Infrastructures. This paper will investigate some of the technical and institutional impediments that must be addressed within local and state jurisdictions in order to realise these benefits. An overview of the current status of local-state SDI arrangements in Australia will be presented as a basis for discussion. A framework for the further investigation and research into these issues will be outlined and some suggestions for progress put forward.
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    Understanding inter-organizational collaboration andPartnerships in the development of national SDI
    Warnest, M. ; Rajabifard, A. ; Williamson, I. P. ( 2003)
    The importance of spatial information is fast being recognizedby governments as essential in supporting a country's economic, social and environmental interests. Demand for high-quality spatially related information that is complete, up-to-date, interoperable and integratable isincreasing with impetus for managing widespread, long- and short-term disaster events, domestic security, environmental degradation and the need for improved community preparedness as a nation. The growth ofspatial data infrastructures (SDIs) at all levels of government is reliant oncollaboration both within and between jurisdictions and across the privatesector and involves a multitude of users and stakeholders. Much effort isbeing reported globally towards National SDI development. However, ourunderstanding of the collaboration and partnerships that contribute tobuilding these SDIs is still relatively poor.Whilst much literature exists on SDI initiatives, advances in SDIcomponents, data sharing, and how to structure and manage GIS-basedprojects, little contribution has been made to the nature of theinteractions between the various organizations and stakeholders.Further, National SDI initiatives have largely concentrated on leadagencies rather than the underlying states or provinces, which in somefederated countries either underpin the National initiative or develop SDIindependently.This paper will explore current understanding of collaboration andpartnership arrangements and will look at National SDI initiatives inAustralia to explore these issues. The paper argues that with a maturedunderstanding of the nature of collaboration, practitioners can betterinteract to form the long-lasting partnerships required to underpinNational SDI development.
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    A collaborative approach to building national SDI in Federated State Systems: case study of Australia
    Warnest, M. ; Rajabifard, A. ; Williamson, I. P. (FIG/GSDI, 2005)
    Spatial information is now recognised by governments as essential in supporting theeconomic, social and environmental interests of a nation. The demand for high-qualityspatially related information that is complete, up-to-date, interoperable, and readily availableis increasing with impetus for managing widespread, long- and short-term disaster events,domestic security, environmental degradation and the need for improved communitypreparedness. There are many and varied organisations and stakeholders that use, provide anddistribute spatial data.National SDI is being progressed throughout the world with the majority of countriesreporting SDI activity. However, a nationâ  s need for SDI is not well understood and furtherwhat constitutes National SDI and how to build one is the source of much debate. Thisresearch reveals organisation-based collaboration and effective coordination of spatialinformation and activities is required across and within jurisdictions to progress National SDIin a federated system. The role of the State has never been so important to achieving thisnational imperative.Whilst much literature exists on SDI initiatives, advances in components of SDI, data sharingand how to structure and manage GIS-based projects, little contribution has been made to thenature of the interactions between the various organisations and stakeholders. Results from acomprehensive investigation of SDI at the State and National level in Australia will illustratethese issues.This paper highlights new research by the Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures and LandAdministration at the University of Melbourne and the development of the National SDICollaboration Model to facilitate National SDI development, particularly in federatedcountries and with relevance to all nations. Strategies were developed as part of the Model forimproving collaboration and coordination in countries negotiating federal structures,independent states, private industry and the needs of the c