Official geospatial data helps Copernicus map out emergency responses to extreme weather

Official geospatial data is proving vital to emergency response as extreme weather conditions become more frequent.

Latvia, Portugal and Slovenia are just three examples where data from the national authorities responsible for geospatial, cadastre and land registration have been fundamental to activations of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. The case studies published by EuroGeographics, the Association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities, show the value of official geospatial information for evaluating and aiding wildfire recovery, assessing landslide risk in wake of heavy rainfall, and assessing damage from a record-breaking windstorm.

The official national data is provided through a framework agreement between the European Environment Agency (EEA) and EuroGeographics which streamlines the licensing process for three Copernicus Services: the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service; the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS); and the Copernicus Security Service (CSS), increasing the number of datasets available via the Copernicus Reference Data Access (CORDA) database.

Angela Baker, Head of Partnerships and Sustainability, EuroGeographics said: “The most recent bulletin from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (CS3) reveals that much of Europe experienced above-average precipitation with heavy rainfall, floods and associated damage in Central and Eastern regions in September 2024. However, severe wildfires were observed over the western and southern Iberian Peninsula where it was drier than average.”

“The new case studies we have published demonstrate how our agreement with the EEA is delivering authoritative national geospatial data to the Copernicus In-Situ Component to enable emergency response, risk and recovery for these types of extreme weather events. The framework licence is key to increasing the use of our members’ data and strengthening cooperation between National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities and Copernicus Services. We were delighted to highlight it as a practical solution for overcoming legal barriers to data access for disaster response and recovery, security and land services at the 14th Session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management in New York.”

“Copernicus Services also have access to harmonised, value-added administrative boundary data through our agreement with Eurostat, as well as pan-European topographic, gazetteer and imagery datasets and services delivered through the Open Maps for Europe interface and the Open Maps For Europe 2 project (OME2).”

 Jose Miguel Rubio Iglesias, Copernicus In-Situ Data Expert, EEA added: “Without in-situ data, the Copernicus Programme simply cannot deliver its data, products and services. Our agreement with EuroGeographics facilitates access to geospatial information from official providers across Europe to help meet end user requirements regarding content and quality. It also allows for increased data delivery from EuroGeographics members in the future, ensuring that National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities are recognised for their essential contributions to Copernicus.”

The case studies focus on:

• Latvia where authoritative data provided by the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency (LGIA) was essential for assessing forest damage in the aftermath of a record-breaking storm.
• Portugal where national landscape data was provided by the Directorate General for the Territory to enable insights into the impact of one of the country’s biggest ever wildfires.
• Slovenia where detailed height data provided by the Surveying and Mapping Authority was key to assessing the risk of landslides and soil erosion following heavy rainfall.

The case studies are available online.

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration: 833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities.

The OME2 project is co-funded by the European Union. It is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Agency, The Netherlands.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

Open Maps For Europe was co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union and ended in 2022. It was coordinated by EuroGeographics, the voice of European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, in partnership with the National Geographic Institute (NGI) Belgium.

Importance of EU funding for pan-European authoritative geospatial data for Digital Europe’s Data Spaces

European Union (EU) funding is essential to ensure official pan-European geospatial data can be used in the development of Digital Europe’s Data Spaces.

In its response to the programme’s stakeholder consultation, EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs), has stressed that authoritative data is as important as the infrastructure upon which the data spaces will be built. It added that without appropriate longer-term funding mechanisms directly linked to EU policy areas, pan-European innovations, such as the award-winning Open Maps for Europe service, will not be feasible in the future.

Carol Agius, Head of Representation and Stakeholder Engagement, EuroGeographics said: “Digital Europe funding has enabled our members to deliver harmonised pan-European open data from more than 40 countries through the Open Maps For Europe project. By driving innovation, market development and growth to support the digital economy, this supports the Open Data and re-use of Public Sector Information (PSI) Directive.”

“Now, thanks to funding from the Digital Europe programme, we are continuing and enhancing this work through Open Maps for Europe 2 (OME2), which addresses the challenge of finding, easily accessing and licensing authoritative pan-European high-value geospatial data. Together with our members from Belgium, France, Greece, Spain and The Netherlands, we are part of the OME2 project consortium creating a new production process and technical specification to release a prototype for edge-matched, large-scale pan-European datasets covering 10 countries.”

“OME2 therefore directly supports the implementation of the European Strategy for Data – including the Open Data and re-use of PSI Directive, the opening of the high-value datasets, and the evolution of the INSPIRE Directive towards the GreenData4All initiative – and demonstrates how demand for geospatial information in all its common data spaces can be met.”

“Whilst organisations have a responsibility to be sustainable post-project, the challenge in relation to open data is securing the necessary funding to ensure the continuous release of up-to-date, harmonised and easily accessible information of at least the same or improved quality and quantity.”

“Programmes supporting digital transition, such as Digital Europe, should provide the solution so it is disappointing that the future strategic funding is linked to different policy areas; there is no mention of open data or the provision of data for the Data Spaces.  As a result, it is difficult for EuroGeographics and its members to link any future activity to the Digital Europe programme. This will stifle innovation, in particular the development of large-scale, high-value pan-European data from the European NMCAs, which OME2 feedback indicates is a stakeholder requirement.”

“If the European Commission would like further innovations within the data areas, there must be appropriate funding mechanisms that are directly linked to EU policy areas.”

In its submission, EuroGeographics also asked that particular importance is placed on Digital Europe’s response to stakeholder needs, as well as how it is adapting to the data requirements of business, citizens, and public administrations. It recommends that particular emphasis is put on the pan-European data requirements of these groups, which is beyond the national remit of NMCAs.

Read EuroGeographics response to the Commission Call for Evidence for an Interim evaluation of the Digital Europe programme. 

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration: 833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities.

EuroGeographics is registered on the EU Transparency Register and bound by its code of conduct: TR 51080067776-74

The OME2 project is co-funded by the European Union. It is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency, The Netherlands.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

Pan-European geospatial datasets from official national sources updated to meet user requirements

EuroGeographics has released updates for two pan-European datasets created using official data from its members, Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities.

The seamless administrative boundary and topographic datasets are created by the not-for-profit organisation using a unique data integration process which harmonises national data to standard specifications.

Users wanting to geo-reference statistical information will benefit from the latest version of EuroBoundaryMap (EBM 2024) which supports interoperability with applications based on European Union LAU and NUTS codes. It also includes the new NUTS regulation that came into effect on 1 January, as well as major updates from France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Spain, Slovenia, Switzerland and Lithuania. Licensing information for EBM 2024, which is widely used within the European Institutions through EuroGeographics agreement with Eurostat, can be found at https://eurogeographics.org/maps-for-europe/licensing/.

“EBM 2024 provides a complete update of our pan-European geo-database for administrative and statistical units to meet user requirements and is accessible as a full coverage dataset or national datasets,” said Victoria Persson, Project Manager – Data Access and Integration, EuroGeographics.

“It enables the exact matching of administrative areas in 56 European countries and territories using geospatial data from 39 EuroGeographics members. Available at 1:100 000 scale, it contains geometry, names and codes of administrative and statistical units."

Working with Germany’s Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), which manages the production of both datasets, EuroGeographics has also updated its 1:250 000 scale dataset, EuroRegionalMap (ERM), which covers 51 European countries and territories, to ensure it continues to meet user needs.

Tim Trautmann, Product Manager for EBM and ERM from BKG explained: “ERM has a long history, starting in the early 2000s, and today contains around 7 million objects in 60 layers. It is now available under an open licence via Open Maps For Europe, and we’re seeing users discovering and embracing new ways to benefit from the data.”

“Our survey showed that its main use is as a reference dataset for base mapping with users stressing the need for complete and up-to-date information. To meet these requirements, ERM 2024 improves the settlement, administrative boundary and hydrographic themes, and we have enabled EuroGeographics members to provide data outside the thematic update cycle, which improves the timeliness.”

“This update also addresses several user feedback issues related to positional accuracy and edge matching. An additional validation algorithm for edge-matching has been implemented to improve the boundary harmonisation, and we have re-evaluated quality requirements to focus on those that are most important for the main use cases. This work is continuing.”

The Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) project is enhancing the five existing Open Maps For Europe datasets available via www.mapsforeurope.org.  It is co-funded by the European Union and is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Agency, The Netherlands.

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration: 833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities.

The OME2 project is co-funded by the European Union. It is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Agency, The Netherlands.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

Open Maps For Europe was co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union and ended in 2022. It was coordinated by EuroGeographics, the voice of European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, in partnership with the National Geographic Institute (NGI) Belgium.

Open Maps For Europe 2 Project releases first prototype for harmonised high-value data

The Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) project has today (28 May 2024) announced the first release of a prototype for harmonised large-scale, high-value data.

OME2 Prototype Maastricht border.

Available via www.mapsforeurope.org, version one provides 1: 10 000 scale authoritative administrative boundary and transport data for Belgium, France and The Netherlands. It is the first dataset created using the new production process, developed by several OME2 Consortium members led by National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN France), to deliver edge-matched official geospatial information from multiple national sources. The image right shows the Maastricht border.

In addition to IGN France, the project partners comprise: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency, The Netherlands. Images below show: La Defense, Paris; Brussels; and Amsterdam.

OME2 Prototype La Defense, Paris.

“This is a really exciting milestone that will benefit national providers of geospatial data and users alike,” said Victoria Persson, Project Manager – Data Access and Integration, EuroGeographics.

“The prototype is aligned to key EU policies, as well as UN core geospatial data recommendations for local level actions, and provides large-scale administrative boundary information as well as transport and railway networks, ports and airports.”

“The authoritative data is harmonised across countries and available via the Open Maps For Europe interface. This saves users time, effort and resources as they will no longer need to visit individual Member State geoportals to access specific datasets, spend significant resources connecting them, or agree to multiple licences.”

OME2 Prototype Brussels.

She continued: “Our members are recognised as important enablers of cross-border data applications and services. By automating the production process, OME2 now transforms their national data to meet the specifications for high-value pan-European datasets. Members simply complete a conversion table which typically takes just a few days, significantly reducing the time and resources required. Additional work is then only needed in the rare event that the data structure changes. The process also responds to user needs by enabling annual updates.”

“Our members can re-use these techniques nationally and exchange good practices to advance the data sharing tools needed to deliver free-flowing, interoperable data for the single market. In doing so, OME2 demonstrates how demand for geospatial information in all common data spaces of the European Strategy for Data can be met.”

By the end of 2025, the OME2 prototype is expected to cover 10 countries with three key themes identified by users and defined as high value by the European Commission – administrative boundaries, transport and hydrography. The project, which is co-funded by the European Union, is also enhancing the five existing Open Maps For Europe datasets, including the pilot Open Cadastral Map.

OME2 Prototype Amsterdam.

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration: 833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities.

The OME2 project is co-funded by the European Union. It is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency, The Netherlands.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

EuroGeographics and BKG sign production management agreement for pan-European datasets

Sallie Payne Snell, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics, and Prof. Dr. Paul Becker, President BKG Germany, sign production management agreement for pan-European datasets.

Germany’s Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) will continue to manage production of pan-European datasets after signing a new agreement with EuroGeographics.

As a result, BKG is responsible for three open datasets available via the Open Maps For Europe (OME) user interface, as well as a database of administrative boundaries and 1:250 000 topographic data. The datasets are created using authoritative national geospatial and land information from members of EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities.

In addition, the National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN France) continues to manage the production of EuroGlobalMap, 1: 1 million scale multi-themed topographic open data also delivered through the OME portal.

Sallie Payne Snell, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics, said: “BKG’s expertise is integral to our unique data integration process. In addition to harmonising national geospatial information to standard specifications, it has a wealth of experience in deriving information from master databases.”

“We are delighted to continue our well-established partnership with them to provide authoritative and trusted pan-European data for making critical decisions about people and places.”

Prof. Dr. Paul Becker, President BKG Germany, said: “We are pleased to continue to make an essential contribution to the provision of harmonised, cross-border geospatial data on behalf of EuroGeographics. The requirements of users – above all the European Commission – inspires us to produce even more demand-orientated data for Europe.”

Under the agreement BKG manages the technical, quality and documentation for five datasets:

• EuroBoundaryMap, which enables the exact matching of administrative units with statistical data using a European-wide unique identifier, and is widely used within the European system.
• EuroRegionalMap, multi-themed topographic data at 1:250 000 scale.

Open datasets available through www.mapsforeurope.org

• The open data version of EuroRegionalMap.
• Open Gazetteer, a service providing authoritative multilingual geographical names.
• EuroDEM, 1:100 000 scale digital open data elevation model providing height data.

BKG also provides the OME pan-European Imagery service, a processed mosaic with a 10 metre resolution, created from European Union´s Earth observation programme Copernicus (Sentinel-2, L1C-L2A). It can be used as a reference for mapping and visualisation.

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration: 833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities.

The OME2 project, which builds on the success of Open Maps For Europe, is co-funded by the European Union. It is being delivered by a consortium comprising: EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities; National Geographic Institute, Belgium; National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France; Hellenic Cadastre; General Directorate for the Cadastre, Spain; and Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency, The Netherlands.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

Open Maps For Europe ended in 2022. It was co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union.