Beyond spatial enablement: engaging government, industry and citizens

Abstract

In response to challenges at all scales, there is an increasing use of geographic information technologies and spatial data infrastructures to underpin location-based information for better decision-making. Spatial enablement uses the concept of place and location to organise information and processes and is now a ubiquitous part of e-Government and broader government ICT strategies. But for spatial enablement to occur, it needs to be regarded as a concept that permeates all levels of society – government, industry and citizens.

The spatial community needs to make location, innovation and collaboration its key priorities to not only realise the vision of spatial enablement, but to move beyond it. Collaboration across levels drives spatial innovation to make better use of the available geo-spatial information and to create new, smart applications to harness, integrate and interpret this data. An enabling platform is key to facilitating delivery of spatial data and services. Establishing new partnerships will bring together communities of practice and enable knowledge sharing to overcome both technical and non-technical issues that still persist in realising spatial enablement.