International SDI Short Course

Abstract

Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) is an evolving concept about facilitation and coordination of the exchange and sharing of spatial data between stakeholders from different jurisdictional levels in the spatial data community. In order to develop and maintain such an infrastructure, the international community needs to pay more attention to capacity building. In response to this need, an International SDI Short Course held by the Centre for SDIs and Land Administration, Department of Geomatics, The University of Melbourne from 19-21 November 2003. The course was conducted as a result of Resolution 5 (Capacity Building) of the 16th United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific (UNRCC-AP) and was further endorsed at the 9th Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructures for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP) meeting in Okinawa, Japan, July 2003.The focus of the course was on Developing Spatial Data Infrastructures. It introduced the concept and hierarchical nature of SDIs as well as discussing some SDI applications, issues and challenges for future SDI initiatives. The structure over the three days was based on the book Developing Spatial Data Infrastructures: from concept to reality, Taylor and Francis, UK.The course provided an understanding of the concept and application of SDI, with a range of speakers giving different perspectives to the concept of SDIs. The practical sessions and discussions throughout the course allowed participants to share knowledge, and were a good opportunity to discover the other participants use and understanding of SDIs in their different jurisdictions and organisations.The key issues that were highlighted concerned data availability, accessibility, and applicability as well as the importance of partnerships among of stakeholders and securing funding for the development, and of ensuring SDIs were user driver, interoperable and integratable. The course finished with a group discussion on the future directions and the k