Spatial Data Infrastructures in Context

Spatial data infrastructures for cities in developing countries

The development of a spatial data infrastructure to support marine spatial planning in Greece

Abstract. Geo-information techniques have proven their usefulness for the purposes of early warning and emergency response. These techniques enable us to generate extensive geo-information to make informed decisions in response to natural disasters that lead to better protection of citizens, reduce damage to property, improve the monitoring of these disasters, and facilitate estimates of the damages and losses resulting from them. The maintenance and accessibility of spatial information has improved enormously with the development of spatial data infrastructures (SDIs), especially with second-generation SDIs, in which the original product-based SDI was improved to a process-based SDI. Through the use of SDIs, geo-information is made available to local, national and international organisations in regions affected by natural disasters as well as to volunteers serving in these areas. Volunteer-based systems for information collection (e.g., Ushahidi) have been created worldwide. However, the use of 3D maps is still limited. This paper discusses the applicability of 3D geo-information to disaster management. We discuss some important aspects of maps for disaster management, such as user-centred maps, the necessary components for 3D maps, symbols, and colour schemas. In addition, digital representations are evaluated with respect to their visual controls, i.e., their usefulness for the navigation and exploration of the information. Our recommendations are based on responses from a variety of users of these technologies, including children, geospecialists and disaster managers from different countries.

This paper elaborates research prospects in the recent scenario, which identifies the use of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) in the design of interdisciplinary geo-information systems for decision support systems to handle energy linked disasters at different scales for all user groups. The realization of the SDI potential as subsidiary for resolving sustainable local & global energy complications depends on multiple factors including reliable access to well-harmonized information. The work also introduces to an emerging digital geo-information infrastructure and policy framework at global, regional, national and local levels. The concept of SDI as a tool presents the notion for networked SDIs, designed and implemented to serve various specific applications at the national, regional or municipal level. Handling energy linked disasters could be such an application sector. The work illuminates the necessity of the legal and regulatory changes to be done in order to achieve the SDI framework. The work wishes at comprehending role of SDI in providing policy solutions for complex problems embedded with energy linked disaster caused due to conflict over energy issues with a scientific challenge. The work also examines the relationship between competition for energy resources and the inclination for conflict in the coming future taking the argument well beyond issues of energy politics and the significance of oil and gas to the global market, the work offers significant new findings concerning the impact of energy wealth on life and the economies. It also explores the ways attempting to uphold the energy interests in the newly independent states, and the impact of competition on regional security. Believe it or not, conflict is an untapped source for creativity and energy. The paper proposes a prototype with a set of recommended practices in the development of SDI on clear political accountability to its integrity to address the role as a framework for facilitating local and global energy linked disaster. It is discussed that the design and implementation of an SDI model framework can assist the managing agencies to improve the quality of their decision-makings at all level of the activities. This includes the development of a prototype web-based system which can facilitate sharing, access and use of data in energy linked disaster management and especially disaster response.

Abstract. The new concept of Open Spatial Data Infrastructures (Open SDIs) has emerged from an increased interest in open data initiatives together with national and international directives, such as the EU Open Data Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/1024), and the large investment of European public authorities in developing SDIs for sharing spatial data within public authorities. Open SDIs have the potential to boost reaching SDIs’ general aims and goals of facilitating the exchange and sharing of spatial data to support planning and decision-making by including public participation and increased openness in all aspects of SDIs, including Open SDI Education. The open SPatial data Infrastructure eDucation nEtwoRk (SPIDER) project aims to address Open SDI Education by particular emphasis on studying Active Learning and Teaching (ALT) methods for SDI education. This article provides a theoretical basis of ALT for SDI methodologies. We show in which way ALT practices were already implemented in SDI education at the Partner universities before the COVID-19 pandemic. We also describe how the pandemic functioned as a catalyst for implementing ALT practices to an online environment, and how students evaluated these practices. The outcomes of our research can serve as an inspiration for SDI education in other countries.

Best practices, policy and innovations in the administration of healthcare in developing communities and countries. For administrators, academics, researchers and policy leaders. Includes peer reviewed research papers. Edited by Dr. Judith Shamian, President Emeritus, International Council of Nurses, Professor and Co-investigator with the Nursing Health Services Research Unit, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

With the advancement of GIS technology since its inception in 1960’s, many educational institutions, government departments, public/ private sectors and individuals have started its use for the production and management of spatial data. Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) concept was introduced in the early1990’s and provides a set of technologies, standards, protocols, policies and guidelines on the whole cycle of geospatial data production and distributions, i.e., from data capture to storage and to sharing. SDI initiative at national level, termed as National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), has been taken by different countries including India. Geospatial community is facing various challenges like handling of large volumes of geospatial data, requirement of high computing resources to process geospatial data, scalability and interoperability. Therefore, need of advanced technologies in the form of SDI and cloud computing is realized to resolve the above challenges. Cloud computing has several characteristics like scalability, elasticity and self-provisioning that offers high-performance computing resources to perform geoprocessing efficiently. The main aim of the present paper is to study SDI and its components along with analysis and comparison of NSDI of various countries as well as to conceptualize and discuss service oriented architecture of cloud enabled SDI. Several challenges of the spatial data handling and processing that occurred due to the high intensity of data and lack of processing capability can be solved by adopting proposed cloud enabled SDI architecture. This research will help geospatial community and SDI developers in various perspectives including data sharing and management, interoperability, security and reliability, fault tolerance, mass market solution, upfront cost and global collaboration.

In this thesis, concepts for developing Spatial Data Infrastructures with an emphasis on visualizing 3D landscape and city models in distributed environments are discussed. Spatial Data Infrastructures are important for public authorities in order to perform tasks on a daily basis, and serve as research topic in geo-informatics. Joint initiatives at national and international level exist for harmonizing procedures and technologies. Interoperability is an important aspect in this context - as enabling technology for sharing, distributing, and connecting geospatial data and services. The Open Geospatial Consortium is the main driver for developing international standards in this sector and includes government agencies, universities and private companies in a consensus process. 
\n3D city models are becoming increasingly popular not only in desktop Virtual Reality applications but also for being used in professional purposes by public authorities. Spatial Data Infrastructures focus so far on the storage and exchange of 3D building and elevation data. For efficient streaming and visualization of spatial 3D data in distributed network environments such as the internet, concepts from the area of real time 3D Computer Graphics must be applied and combined with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). For example, scene graph data structures are commonly used for creating complex and dynamic 3D environments for computer games and Virtual Reality applications, but have not been introduced in GIS so far. 
\nIn this thesis, several aspects of how to create interoperable and service-based environments for 3D spatial data are addressed. These aspects are covered by publications in journals and conference proceedings. The introductory chapter provides a logic succession from geometrical operations for processing raw data, to data integration patterns, to system designs of single components, to service interface descriptions and workflows, and finally to an architecture of a complete distributed service network.
\nDigital Elevation Models are very important in 3D geo-visualization systems. Data structures, methods and processes are described for making them available in service based infrastructures. A specific mesh reduction method is used for generating lower levels of detail from very large point data sets. An integration technique is presented that allows the combination with 2D GIS data such as roads and land use areas. This approach allows using another optimization technique that greatly improves the usability for immersive 3D applications such as pedestrian navigation: flattening road and water surfaces. It is a geometric operation, which uses data structures and algorithms found in numerical simulation software implementing Finite Element Methods. 
\n3D Routing is presented as a typical application scenario for detailed 3D city models. Specific problems such as bridges, overpasses and multilevel networks are addressed and possible solutions described. The integration of routing capabilities in service infrastructures can be accomplished with standards of the Open Geospatial Consortium. An additional service is described for creating 3D networks and for generating 3D routes on the fly. Visualization of indoor routes requires different representation techniques.
\nAs server interface for providing access to all 3D data, the Web 3D Service has been used and further developed. Integrating and handling scene graph data is described in order to create rich virtual environments. Coordinate transformations of scene graphs are described in detail, which is an important aspect for ensuring interoperability between systems using different spatial reference systems. The Web 3D Service plays a central part in nearly all experiments that have been carried out. It does not only provide the means for interactive web-visualizations, but also for performing further analyses, accessing detailed feature information, and for automatic content discovery.
\nOpenStreetMap and other worldwide available datasets are used for developing a complete architecture demonstrating the scalability of 3D Spatial Data Infrastructures. Its suitability for creating 3D city models is analyzed, according to requirements set by international standards. A full virtual globe system has been developed based on OpenStreetMap including data processing, database storage, web streaming and a visualization client.
\nResults are discussed and compared to similar approaches within geo-informatics research, clarifying in which application scenarios and under which requirements the approaches in this thesis can be applied.
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PurposeWhile the term “entrepreneurship” is not exclusively a private sector phenomenon, it is usually associated with private sector business activity and more specifically with small to medium enterprises. However, over the last two decades it has appeared in the public administration literature with increasing frequency. The recent research in public sector entrepreneurial activity makes an exploratory comparative analysis of the key components that are applicable from private sector entrepreneurship timely as the topic is emerging as an area of academic inquiry and research. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of private and public sector entrepreneurship using an analytical model from private and public sector entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachA clear understanding of the research issues involved requires an appreciation of the nexus between private sector entrepreneurship and the more limited research field of public sector entrepreneurship. The paper identifies and examines the historical and evolutionary research on entrepreneurship as a basis for analysis of public and private sector entrepreneurship.FindingsThe paper provides a comprehensive analysis that highlights key similarities, differences or a combination between public and private sector entrepreneurship and develops an existing model and framework for a systematic approach to the public sector entrepreneurial process.Originality/ valueBased on this exploration, new insights about public sector entrepreneurship are developed, practical implications for public sector entrepreneurs on how to approach public sector entrepreneurship more systematically and effectively are presented and opportunities for further research are identified.

OGC Catalog Services: a key element for the development of Spatial Data Infrastructures

Digital transformation is the key to turning public authorities into organisations that make decisions based on data-driven insights. Big geodata analysis can enable public authorities to tackle complex sustainability issues in order to achieve long-term goals. However, the efficient management of large amounts of geodata through the implementation of viable and state-of-the-art data infrastructures represents a major challenge for public authorities. In this article, we propose a cloud-integrated decentralised Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) to meet the needs of public authorities mandated to provide data products and services based on Earth Observation (EO) imagery. We describe the SDI setup, the implementation process, big geodata components, and the integration of the Copernicus Data and Exploitation Platform—DE (CODE-DE), drawing on the specific SDI implementation in a federal agricultural authority in Germany. Two practical applications are illustrated, underpinning the added value of a cloud-integrated SDI. We elaborate on lessons learnt from the SDI-implementation by summarising key findings that may facilitate the effective establishment and use of the SDI, namely i) the need for an organisational strategy, ii) identifying stakeholders, including their participatory roles, and iii) planning of long-term financial and human resources. The SDI proposed serves as a blueprint for public authorities helping them on their way to become data service providers, leveraging the potential of big geodata, including EO imagery.

BackgroundSouth Africa has large public and private sectors and there is a common perception that public sector hospitals are inefficient and ineffective while the privately owned and managed hospitals provide superior care and are more sustainable. The underlying assumption is that there is a potential gap in management capacity between the two sectors. This study aims to ascertain the skills and competency levels of hospital managers in South Africa and to determine whether there are any significant differences in competency levels between managers in the different sectors.MethodsA survey using a self administered questionnaire was conducted among hospital managers in South Africa. Respondents were asked to rate their proficiency with seven key functions that they perform. These included delivery of health care, planning, organizing, leading, controlling, legal and ethical, and self-management. Ratings were based on a five point Likert scale ranging from very low skill level to very high skill level.ResultsThe results show that managers in the private sector perceived themselves to be significantly more competent than their public sector colleagues in most of the management facets. Public sector managers were also more likely than their private sector colleagues to report that they required further development and training.ConclusionThe findings confirm our supposition that there is a lack of management capacity within the public sector in South Africa and that there is a significant gap between private and public sectors. It provides evidence that there is a great need for further development of managers, especially those in the public sector. The onus is therefore on administrators and those responsible for management education and training to identify managers in need of development and to make available training that is contextually relevant in terms of design and delivery.

Antiretroviral therapy in countries with low health expenditure

VGI-based spatial data infrastructure for land administration

The operational efficiency in China's private and public sectors presents significant differences that managers are unaware of, leading to increased turnover intentions. The current research covers the impacts of intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction on turnover intentions within the Chinese public sector. This research investigates the correlation between job satisfaction and employee turnover intentions in the Chinese public and private sectors. Data were gathered via questionnaires distributed to employees from multiple public and private enterprises and institutions. The findings indicate clear differences between employees in the public and private sectors regarding the influence of job satisfaction on intentions to turnover. Specifically, Chinese public employees show less extrinsic job satisfaction and less desire to quit than employees employed in the private sector. Moreover, compared to employees in the private sector, those working in the public sector have a direct but insignificant negative relationship between extrinsic job satisfaction and turnover intentions. To improve employee motivation, it is recommended that public-sector managers prioritize enhancing extrinsic job factors and consider reallocating dissatisfied employees to more suitable roles. Furthermore, managers should evaluate whether their organization’s turnover rate is overly high, as it will deteriorate productivity and efficiency.