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Data Infrastructure, Spatial

  • Reference work entry
Encyclopedia of GIS

  • 120 Accesses

Synonyms

Map distribution; Digital divide

Definition

Spatial data infrastructure (SDI) is the well connected and functional assemblage of the required technology, policies, and people to enable the sharing and use of geographic information. It should include all levels of organizations and individuals such as government agencies, industry, nonprofit organizations, the academic community, and individuals.

Historical Background

The creation of the concept of SDI is the result of the increasing availability of geospatial data. This increase is due mostly to the spread of the technology, which leads to lower costs. Growing concerns with the environment also lead many governments to start distributing data and creating policies that allow for a broader access to the data. Along with the availability of data soon came an awareness that the technology was difficult to handle for most end users. Geospatial data by itself is not enough to enable users to effectively reason and make decisions...

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Recommended Reading

  1. Câmara, G., Fonseca, F., Monteiro, A.M., Onsrud, H.: Networks of innovation and the establishment of a spatial data infrastructure in Brazil. Inf. Technol. Dev. 12, 255–272 (2006)

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  3. Aanestad, M., Monteiro, E., Nielsen, P.: Information infrastructures and public goods: Analytical and practical implications for SDI. Inf. Technol. Dev. 13, 7–25 (2007)

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  4. Davis, C.A., Fonseca, F.: Considerations from the development of a local spatial data infrastructure. Inf. Technol. Dev. 12, 273–290 (2006)

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  5. Georgiadou, Y., Bernard, L., Sahay, S.: Implementation of spatial data infrastructures in transitional economies. Inf. Technol. Dev. 12, 247–253 (2006)

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  6. Lance, K., Bassolé, A.: SDI and national information and communication infrastructure (NICI) integration in Africa. Inf. Technol. Dev. 12, 333–338 (2006)

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  7. Satish, K.P.: Technological frames of stakeholders shaping the SDI implementation: A case study from India. Inf. Technol. Dev. 12, 311–331 (2006)

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  8. Sorensen, M., Sayegh, F.: The initiation, growth, sustainment of SDI in the Middle East—notes from the trenches. Inf. Technol. Dev. 13, 95–100 (2007)

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Information Sciences and Technology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Frederico Fonseca

Authors
  1. Frederico Fonseca
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Shashi Shekhar (McKnight Distinguished University Professor) (McKnight Distinguished University Professor)

  2. Management Science and Information Systems Department, Rutgers Business School Newark and New Brunswick Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA

    Hui Xiong (Assistant Professor) (Assistant Professor)

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag

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Fonseca, F. (2008). Data Infrastructure, Spatial. In: Shekhar, S., Xiong, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of GIS. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-35973-1_243

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