Open Maps For Europe Case Study

The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the European Union’s (EU) diplomatic service, and since 2011 has carried out the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy to promote peace, prosperity, security, and the interests of Europeans across the globe. It uses EuroRegionalMap, a pan-European dataset available through the Open Maps For Europe project, for planning military mobility and investment programmes.

“We need a coherent database, and we need data that we can trust and rely on. We need authoritative geospatial information, quality controlled, preferably from governmental sources with borders and boundaries that should reflect the EU view. We also need a common place where we can do planning. So, the 1:250 000 scale seamless open data is crucial for us in determining, for example, where we reinforce our bridges so that heavy trucks can cross them without breaking or planning our routing systems.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Soenke Fischhoefer, Senior Geospatial Officer EUMS, EU External Action Service.

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Open Maps For Europe Case Study

The Geospatial Information Section of the United Nations uses Open Maps For Europe to provides a consistent representation of the world based on common geographies. Its vision is the universal use of geospatial information to underpin and support all roles, mandates and operations of the United Nations for a better world.

“Open data created using official information from Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities provides common and consistent geographies to support the United Nations System. We know that we can rely on these Open Maps For Europe and, that in turn, our colleagues can trust the information we provide to them to support decision-making and data action.”

Kyoung-Soo Eom, Chief, UN Geospatial Information Section

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Open Maps For Europe Case Study

The European Environment Agency (EEA) is using multi-themed topographic open data from official sources as a selectable background map in its European Ground Motion Service (EGMS). Provided through the Open Maps For Europe interface, EuroRegionalMap provides an option for users of the EGMS data viewer who prefer to use maps rather than satellite images.

“The use of EuroRegionalMap open data in the European Ground Motion Service data viewer not only demonstrates the value of information available from National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, but also highlights the benefits of our cooperation. We fully support the ambition to include map data from all Copernicus Participating States in future releases of Open Maps For Europe.”

Henrik Steen Andersen, Contract Manager, Copernicus In Situ Data 

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Providing a single digital topographic base map for Ukraine

"The main state topographic map scale 1:50 000 and access to it on NSDI pilot project geoportal will provide a single digital topographic base in Ukraine and in the future will allow to use it as a source of output data at the national, regional, and local levels. We are also convinced in the crucial role of local governments and central executive bodies in ensuring the development of geospatial data in Ukraine. The StateGeoCadastre is making every effort to accelerate this irreversible process”.

Sergii Zavadskyi, Acting Chairman, State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre

Users of geospatial information in Ukraine are benefitting from updated 1:50 000 scale digital topographic maps and a new national database for topographic data.

Delivered as part of the ‘Maps for Good Land Governance’ project in cooperation with the Norwegian Mapping Authority, the main state topographic map was developed in close cooperation between the StateGeoСadastre, the State Enterprise ‘Research Institute of Geodesy and Cartography’, the State Enterprise ‘Ukrainian State Aerogeodesic Enterpris’, the Central Department of Military Topography and Navigation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the participation of other private enterprises.

The Quality Control Commission was established for adopting map sheets, with 1,288 nomenclature sheets for an area of 436,135 km2 accepted. To ensure automated quality control of the updated digital maps, a ‘validate’ tool, comprising a software package and geoportal of the project monitoring and support system, were created.

Benefits

• Provides a single cartographic basis for use by all geospatial data holders.
• Provides amalgamated territorial communities with the official source of topographic data.
• Promotes the creation of geospatial datasets and their integration into the national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI).
• Provides an accessible service for geospatial data, that is free and open to anyone.
• Provides a beneficial tool for the development and maintenance of railways, highways, networks of main and distribution gas pipelines, main oil pipelines, detection of radio frequency zones.
• Provides an information resource for the Public Cadastral Map, State Geological Map, State Geodetic Network and Catalogue of Administrative Units of Ukraine.
• Strengthens the country's defence capabilities.
• Provides an essential tool for urban planning and development documentation.

Ordnance Survey enables effective urbanisation with geospatial information

“This programme will promote the value associated with accurate and relevant spatial data. The rapid delivery of a scalable and replicable national digital base map is not only relevant to cities such as Lusaka, but also has far reaching benefits at national and regional scale. The data OS has created will provide the evidence and information to support critical decisions when upgrading existing informal settlements and planning future infrastructure to promote economic prosperity.”

Andy Wilson Africa Region Director, Ordnance Survey, Great Britain

Ordnance Survey (OS) worked with the International Growth Centre (IGC) and the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) to create an automated basemap of informal settlements in Lusaka, Zambia, in response to the challenges associated with urban growth, the availability of accurate and up-to-date data for creating well-planned and managed cities, and improving infrastructure at low cost.

Using aerial imagery provided by the Zambia Survey Department in the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and artificial intelligence (AI), OS used its advanced automated process to generate a new base map across 420km2 of Lusaka.

Using Machine Learning techniques, computers were taught what to look for, to label data and trace features such as buildings, roads and water in images using training data; this algorithm classified the various features and the technology then automatically created mapping quickly and accurately.

This innovative technique, using AI, is a rapid, accurate and cost-effective way to generate a detailed digital map that has a multitude of use cases, including the design and management of critical infrastructure services, land use and transport planning, land tenure, ownership and administration, and integration of future census data.

Benefits

• Saves time and resources: The automated process took 10% of the time it would have taken to produce the detailed basemap manually.
• Improves quality of life for citizens by providing a robust foundation for the integration of future census data, as well as identifying informal settlements, population and density, the location of transport infrastructure surrounding the informal neighbourhoods, and access to electricity, sanitation facilities and clean water.
• Enables the Ministry to better target investment in critical infrastructure and services, such as roads and public spaces, in informal settlements.
• Assists government decision-making and planning for urban expansion, enabling predictions of informal settlement growth and their potential capacity to reduce the cost of infrastructure investment, and enable resilient and sustainable urban futures.
• Enables integration of further datasets to give government agencies more information and clarity to improve decision-making, for example as a foundation for street addressing for land management and taxation, and planning and managing disaster response.
• Provides a fast, efficient and economic way to create detailed current base mapping, enabling countries to start building an Integrated Geospatial Information Framework to support their strategic objectives and underpin geospatial business.

Providing an insight into potential of solar energy in The Netherlands

“Our data is at the basis of sustainable goals in society. Only by working together and combining available high-quality data, can we achieve a solid base of the full picture for solar energy potential.’’

Frank Tierolff, Chair Executive Board Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency, The Netherlands

The Netherlands Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster) has created a database of information related to solar potential and solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, which is very useful for policymakers to reach targets related to the Climate Agreement. The data is used gain an insight into the potential for solar energy.

Kadaster has developed a method to assess this potential using two approaches. The first combines a 3D model based on aerial photography with objects from the Key Register Addresses and Buildings. The second approach uses object detection, which is a deep learning technique used to manage the Key Register Topography. This technique automatically detects changes in the landscape, such as the appearance of solar panels on roofs.

A 3D model, based on high resolution elevation data, was used to calculate solar radiation multiple times per day and several days per year. Deep learning techniques were employed to detect existing solar panels from very high- resolution aerial images for the whole of the Netherlands. The results of both techniques provide data for all individual buildings which is combined with information about function and ownership.

This is a good example of GeoAI, where the best of both worlds are combined to use large geographic datasets and create useful policy- and monitoring information for the energy transition.

Benefits

• Generates insight into roof ownership, for example are they citizens, companies or housing associations, which is important for local governments to develop their communication and implementation strategies.
• Helps policymakers to speed up the energy transition by providing information on where and how much space is available to generate solar energy. At the same time, the data is easy to understand and visualise.
• Provides an insight on not only where the potential lies, but also categorises it by building and owner type, which is much more useful to the policymakers.
• Assists the statistics Netherlands organisation called CBS to improve the quality of their solar panel statistics, which are mostly based on register information.
• Presents a realistic insight on solar potential of building rooftops which is useful in urban planning applications.
• Enables consultancy to develop new products and services based on the solar potential and existing solar panel information.
• Enables electricity network operators to make more accurate investment plans for the electricity network using this information.

Award-winning swisstopo app enables easy access to national maps and federal geodata

"It is our task to provide tools so that our data is accessible to the public as simply and free of charge as possible. We do this with the swisstopo app in a contemporary, user-friendly and convincing way."

Dr. Fridolin Wicki, Director, Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, Federal Office of Topography swisstopo

Swiss National Maps and other federal geodata can now be easily accessed free-of-charge via mobile devices thanks to the award-winning swisstopo app.

The app, which has already recorded over one million downloads, increases awareness and useability of swisstopo data by providing quality, reliable geographical information free of charge and without the need to provide login information.

Since the go-live in summer 2020, many new contents and functions have been added and the app has already recorded over one million downloads and was named ‘Master of Swiss Apps 2021’. Besides all National Maps, aerial photographs, aeronautical maps and historical maps,
the app also shows additional information relating to public transport, hiking, cycling, snow sports and aviation and includes planning, guidance or tracking functions, a panorama mode (virtual and augmented reality), search and positioning.

Developed with the external partner Ubique Innovation AG, it provides a future-proof tool for a high level of mobile usability of swisstopo's National Maps and geodata. With the corresponding Open Source Software Development Kit ‘Open Swiss Maps’, which was launched with the introduction of Open Government Data, it is also possible for third parties to easily integrate swisstopo data and basic functions in their own app.

Benefits

• Enables easy public access to Swiss National Maps and other federal geodata via mobile devices.
• Reliably provides consistent quality geographical information throughout Switzerland without interest, free of advertising and without the need to provide login information.
• Increases the awareness and usability of swisstopo data.
• Provides all data and functions free of charge and with unlimited use.
• Allows maps and data to be stored free of charge, without restriction and used offline. This means that the maps can be used even if mobile network coverage is poor or non-existent.
• Offers both simple operation and display of National Maps for general orientation as well as complex content and functions for use by professionals.
• The Open Source Software Development Kit ‘Open Swiss Maps’ creates a basis for easily integrating swisstopo maps, geodata and functions into other apps. For developers, everything is documented on GitHub. www.swisstopo.ch/sdk

Contributing to major national infrastructure programmes in Sweden

“Sweden has now implemented a scalable national infrastructure for exchange of standardised data where digital detailed development plans and 3D buildings are the first datasets.”

Susanne Ås Sivborg, Director General, Swedish Mapping,Cadastral and Land Registration Authority (Lantmäteriet)

Digital detailed development plans and 3D buildings are the first datasets to be created from Sweden’s scalable national infrastructure.

To enable everyone to consume the datasets via machine interface, national specifications have been set and implemented through extensive collaboration between Lantmäteriet, municipalities, other authorities and system vendors.

The entire infrastructure is built on four legal roles: producer, consumer, coordinator, and data hosting.

The infrastructure is also in line with the planned and existing building blocks and ground data framework that is held by the Swedish authority for digitisation.

Agile working has enabled Lantmäteriet to develop several test versions of both specifications and technical solutions. It has also set up an agreement model for producers and consumers. Consumers need only sign the one agreement to get access to data from multiple producers such as municipalities and authorities.

Benefits

• Increases sustainability by providing data that can be used for analysis.
• Increases legal certainty as data is nationally harmonised.
• Improves efficiency in the exchange of data.
• Reduced costs as built once and made available for all.
• Increases accessibility as published as open data.
• Identifies which land use is permitted within an area.
• Provides a basis for trying out a building permit.
• Provides a basis for statistics with the opportunity to automatically generate statistics for Statistics Sweden, the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning.

Demonstrating value of cadastral information in managing natural disasters

“In addition to cartographic data, cadastral information contains other valuable data of properties such as the surfaces of each use, the state of conservation and photography, and data of the title-holders. It also provides the areas and uses of crops in agricultural parcels, which, in addition to having a greater degree of details than the Copernicus Emergencies Service, allows a better evaluation of the goods and rights affected by the natural catastrophe.”

Fernando de Aragón Amunárriz Director, General Directorate for Cadastre, Spain

Fundamental data provided by the General Directorate for Cadastre played a vital role in managing natural disasters caused by the volcanic eruption on La Palma and by rivers overflowing.

Cadastral data of the new affected areas was delivered daily and disseminated to emergency services and public administrations responsible for disaster management.

Data from the Copernicus Emergency Service was analysed and cross-checked with the cadastral database. The analysis, using QGIS tools, was carried out daily throughout the volcano eruption and advance of the lava in the case of La Palma, and during the floods.

Information was then disseminated to emergency services and public administrations responsible for disaster management. This included detailed 1:5 000 scale data of cadastral parcels, buildings and crops and information about owners, surfaces, crops and agricultural exploitations, buildings classified by uses and destinations, photography, and values of real estate.

Benefits

• Enables citizens to demonstrate the condition of their properties before they were eliminated or damaged by the natural disaster – regardless of whether they are registered in the Land Registry or not.
• Provides more information than can be obtained from the Copernicus Emergency Service as it not only visually identifies constructions and crops, but also provides many other valuable data of the affected area.
• Enables managing administrations to evaluate the damages immediately and act appropriately.
• Provides transparency in the management of natural disasters as all information is published in an accessible and user-friendly way.
• Allows both private companies and researchers to analyse and manage the territory in natural disasters, whilst ensuring only owners and public administrations can access protected data.
• Demonstrates usefulness of cadastral information that goes beyond the payment of property taxes or real estate conveyance.

Spain’s customised map app puts users in control of coverage and content

“With Mapa a la Carta (https://mapaalacarta.cnig.es/) we combine innovation and tradition. Users can create their own topographic maps and aerial photos and download for free or purchase and receive them at home with the usual quality. This project has been possible thanks to the implementation of a workflow involving different areas of the IGN, databases, and applications.”

Lorenzo Garcia Asensio Director General, National Geographic Institute, Spain

Mapa a la Carta enables maps or aerial photos to be configured by the area of interest, scale, title, subtitle, colour of the cover, and by loading or drawing geometries or pictures on top. By using IGN products as a base, users can design their own maps in minutes and receive a high-quality free digital product for free or purchase as a paper copy.

The idea was born to allow users to get a paper map centred in a certain location rather than choosing from one of 4,123 classic 1:25 000 scale sheets.

The project, developed by IGN during 2021, embraces a more flexible way of consulting geographic information using web applications and viewers, and takes advantage of the possibilities offered by new technologies.

The web application has been designed using several open source components and standard web services.

The result is an easy-to-use web application for customising and receiving maps in different formats.

Benefits

• Environmentally sustainable, instead of printing hundreds of individual map sheets, it is printed on demand.
• Free download of the map or aerial photo in digital format.
• Users always have access to the latest version of the base map as the topographic database is regularly updated.
• Promotes reuse of existing geographic information and knowledge derived from the activity of public administrations.
• Provides a good option to get a customised map for specific purposes, for example organising a route, remembering a trip, promoting a business or as a gift.