Next Generation of Spatial Data Infrastructure: Lessons from Linked Data implementations across Europe

Abstract

The need for integration of geospatial data across national borders poses questions on how to overcome technical and organizational barriers between national mapping agencies. Existing National Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDIs) inherited heterogeneous technology stacks and user cultures. Example integration solutions are based on cascading data services on the Web using open standards. However, this approach is often cumbersome since it requires substantial efforts aimed at harmonisation of data structures and semantics of the content between NSDIs. In contrast, the Linked Data technology as an innovative approach for publishing heterogeneous data sources on the Web is able to transcend the traditional confines of separate databases, as well as, the confines of separate institutions - keeping existing infrastructures intact. Moreover, exposing national data as Linked Data on the Web makes it a part of the Semantic Web. This allows shifting focus from collection and dissemination of data to meaningful data consumption. Here, we present and discuss the results of the Open European Location Services project, a collaboration between the national mapping agencies of Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain which is aimed at demonstrating the capabilities of Linked Data technology in the context of Pan-European geospatial data provision.