Spatial data infrastructure and policy development in Europe and the United States

Many national governments throughout the world are involved in developing spatial data infrastructures (SDI) to facilitate the availability of information in such a way that the needs of the agencies, organization, citizens, commerce, and society in general are met. This book covers some of the most prevalent policy issues evolving around spatial data infrastructure development. First, the book addresses a variety of European SDI projects aiming at the creation of a regional spatial data infrastructure. Secondly, insights are provided on how two different legal and economic SDI settings can still allow for and serve very similar infrastructure functions. Through the publication of this book, the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Legal and Economic Working Group provides a communication channel and an organized understanding of a sampling of policy and legal frameworks for the development of spatial data infrastructures. Stakeholders working on SDIs development in other or similar SDI settings may use this book for the benefit of their SDI.OT