INSPIRE revisions are opportunity to improve geospatial governance, says EuroGeographics

GreenData4All’s plans to update rules for environmental spatial data are an opportunity to better govern and access geospatial information within the European Union (EU), says EuroGeographics.

The not-for-profit association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs) welcomed modernisation of INSPIRE Directive rules but warned that removing location data from its scope risks having little or no governance in the geospatial sector. It added that the GreenData4All initiative should include a separate chapter for geospatial data and its role in the Green Deal data space, noting that inclusion of NMCAs is vital for overcoming shortcomings in existing governance.

Marjana Zelic, Senior Research and Policy Officer, EuroGeographics said: “Revision of the INSPIRE Directive represents an important milestone for EuroGeographics’ members, many of whom have invested significant resources in its implementation to ensure their data is discoverable, accessible and interoperable. Whilst we support any action to simplify the technical provisions, such as data harmonisation and network services, previous investments must be protected and solutions identified to finance new ones.”

“Information about location is a critical component for environmental monitoring and reporting providing an accurate continuous observation of the territory, which is necessary for the Green Deal. While INSPIRE is rigid, it provides a clear framework for managing geospatial data and at least half of the 34 cross-sectoral categories within its existing thematic scope are from the geospatial sector. Indeed, the Implementing Act on High-Value Datasets (HVD) refers to the INSPIRE rules to make listed geospatial data available and accessible for reuse, and as the official national providers of map, cadastral and land registration information, our members appreciate this level of coherence.”

“Without defining which other sectoral tools would cover non-environmental data if it is removed from the scope of INSPIRE, there is a risk of having little or no governance in the geospatial sector. Currently there is no dependable policy framework or ‘home’ for geospatial within the EU, with the management of the sector fragmented across various directives including Open Data and PSI Reuse and the Implementing Act on HVD, as well as INSPIRE.”

“As a continuation of 15 years of investment in the implementation of INSPIRE, EuroGeographics’ members are keen to make their data available for the future Green Deal data space which they consider a priority. This is therefore an opportunity to develop an appropriate solution to better govern both geospatial data and the geospatial knowledge infrastructure. These support not only Green Deal priority actions on climate change, circular economy, zero pollution, biodiversity, and deforestation, but every single data space in the European Strategy for Data.”

Read EuroGeographics full feedback on the Greendata4All call for evidence.

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

Tomaž Petek elected President of EuroGeographics

Colin Bray, Tailte Éireann (left) congratulates Tomaž Petek, General Manager, Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia, on his election as President of EuroGeographics.

Tomaž Petek, General Manager, Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia, was elected President of EuroGeographics at the not-for-profit Association’s 2024 General Assembly.

He succeeds Colin Bray, Tailte Éireann, who has held the position since 2019. 

Heads of Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities also voted Hannah Cook from the Norwegian Mapping Authority, Col. Martins Liberts, Latvian Geospatial Information Agency, and Cora Smelik from The Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency to the Management Board. Emilio López Romero, National Geographic Institute of Spain, was re-elected for a further term.

Commenting on his election, Mr Petek said: “More than ever before, the world needs accurate information that it can trust is up to date, definitive and detailed – and it needs to know where to find it.”

“It is a privilege and an honour to be elected President of EuroGeographics, which is committed to working with its members to enable access to their data and expertise for the public good through its integration into European and Global infrastructures. The desire to continue our cooperation is clear and we must continue to demonstrate its value and role to those making critical decisions about people and planet.”

“On behalf of members, I would like to thank Colin Bray for his professionalism, advice and unerring commitment to realising the vision of EuroGeographics during his presidency. I would also like to express our appreciation for Martin Salzmann, The Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency, who attended his final General Assembly as the Association’s Treasurer, and to Denis Tabučić, Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs, Bosnia and Herzegovina, who has completed his term on Management Board.”

Following the event, the EuroGeographics Management Board now comprises:

• Tomaž Petek, Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia
• Hannah Cook, Norwegian Mapping Authority
• Matt Goodman, Ordnance Survey, Great Britain
• Martins Liberts, Latvian Geospatial Information Agency
• Emilio López Romero, National Geographic Institute of Spain
• Nicolas Paparoditis, National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France
• Cora Smelik from The Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency
• Suren Tovmasyan, Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia
• Pier-Giorgio Zaccheddu, Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy, Germany.

EuroGeographics 2024 General Assembly was hosted by the National Geographic Institute, Spain and supported by General Directorate for the Cadastre. The event was attended by 115 delegates from 37 countries.

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.

Faroese Environment Agency joins EuroGeographics

The Faroese Environment Agency has become the latest organisation to join EuroGeographics, which represents the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs).

Members approved the Agency’s application for associate membership at their 2024 General Assembly hosted by the National Geographic Institute, Spain and supported by General Directorate for the Cadastre. The event was attended by 115 delegates from 37 countries.

Dr Sigurð í Jákupsstovu, Director General, Faroese Environment Agency, said: “Attending EuroGeographics 2023 General Assembly and the workshop on the challenges and opportunities facing smaller NMCAs, convinced us of the value of membership. We already participate in Nordic collaboration and we look forward to extending our activities to include pan-European cooperation.”

Sallie Payne Snell, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics, added: “It is a privilege to represent official providers of the trusted geospatial information that is fundamental to the everyday lives of people across Europe. We are delighted to welcome the Faroese Environment Agency to the Association.”

“Our collaborative approach to using collective expertise across national boundaries is one of EuroGeographics’ primary strengths. We look forward to working with Dr Jákupsstovu and his colleagues as we continue to focus enabling access to members’ data and expertise for the public good.”

The Faroese Environment Agency is responsible for all national mapping activities, including land mapping and hydrographic surveying, and is also the national authority for Cadastre and Land Registration.

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.

Open Maps For Europe (OME) 2 project announces plans for pan-European Cadastral Data Strategy

Plans to develop a strategy that will increase the use of European cadastral data by making it more findable and accessible have been announced by the Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) Project.

The pan-European Cadastral Data Strategy will define stakeholders as well as the technology, processes, resources and best practices required to support the long-term delivery of official high-value data for addresses, cadastral parcels, buildings and administrative units.

The OME2 Project is enhancing the Open Cadastral Map prototype, which is available through the Open Maps For Europe interface and currently provides large-scale coverage for six countries. The cadastral map comprises four layers: Administrative Units, Cadastral Parcels (and Cadastral Zones), Buildings (and Building Parts) and Addresses. It compiles and harmonises INSPIRE open data to provide users with an overview of the information available, and user-friendly links for downloading it directly from the data providers’ national geoportals.

Ms Hara Papadaki is one of the team of experts from the Hellenic Cadastre who are working with the General Directorate on Cadastre Spain to develop this key Project deliverable.

She said: “Our vision is that the Open Cadastral Map becomes a single point to access pan-European high-value cadastral data enabling users to easily find authoritative information. To do this, we are developing common processes, guidelines and best practices, aligned to key European and global policies, for integrating data from National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities.”

“Whilst INSPIRE sets some common regulations which help to streamline existing data from those countries that comply with the Directive, we have developed further specifications for our production process to achieve harmonisation. This includes requirements for INSPIRE endorsed gml schema, INSPIRE ATOM Feed Service for download, and ETRS 89 Coordinate Reference System. Our aim is to establish a process that delivers up to date, quality, authoritative cadastral data that is both easy to use and combine with other information.”

“For example, linking location with other datasets provides new insights and opportunities to inform decisions and operations, thus unlocking value and enabling more complex data transactions.”

Ms Papadaki concluded by urging NMCAs to take advantage of the opportunity to promote the value of their expertise and information.

She said: “Projects such as OME2 demonstrate our eagerness and competence to collaborate across sectors and national boundaries. By adjusting our operations and business models to reflect changes at international, as well as national and European level, we can be core agents in the implementation of important and high-profile initiatives, including the UN-endorsed Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF) and the open and high value data.”

Plans for the pan-European Cadastral Data Strategy were presented at a recent workshop on Sustainable Business Models for NMCAs jointly organised by EuroSDR and EuroGeographics, which represents official national providers of geospatial information in Europe.

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.

It runs until the end of 2025.

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.

To find out more about EuroGeographics, please visit www.eurogeographics.org

The OME2 project is co-funded by the European Union. 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.

European Policy experts share insights for UN paper on authoritative geospatial data for disaster risk reduction and crisis management

Policy experts from European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs) are contributing to a new United Nation’s paper on authoritative geospatial data for disaster risk reduction and crisis management.

EuroGeographics’ Policy Network (POLKEN) is providing the UN-GGIM Working Group on Policy and Legal Frameworks for Geospatial Information Management with case studies to demonstrate the value of trusted information from official national sources.

The first discussions took place at joint workshop between the POLKEN, which is part of the extensive knowledge exchange programme organised by the membership association for European NMCAs, and the UN-GGIM Working Group. The event was jointly hosted by National Geographic Institute, Belgium, the European Region of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM: Europe), and EuroGeographics.

Marjana Zelic, Senior Research and Policy Officer, EuroGeographics said: “We are delighted to share our network, which links different players within the wider data ecosystem, as well as our insights into EU policy, with our colleagues in the UN-GGIM Working Group. The collaboration is part of our on-going commitment to extending our knowledge exchange activities with the broader UN-GGIM community, and working in partnership with those who share our goal of using geospatial data for the public good.”

“By holding a joint workshop in Belgium, we have been able to maximise the participation and input from EuroGeographics members, relevant stakeholders and policy makers. This included discussions on the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act with Kai Zenner, Head of Office and Digital Policy Adviser for Axel Voss MEP, who was involved in the political negotiations and provided deep insight on possible approaches to AI, and Katerina Yordanova, Senior Legal Expert at KU Leuven, who provided an overview of the latest developments.”

“We look forward to continuing our contributions to the paper being developed by the UN-GGIM Working Group.”

EuroGeographics has a letter of collaboration with the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) – the Secretariat of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management’s (UN-GGIM). As a result, the two organisations are working together to address key global challenges, specifically capacity development for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The collaboration focuses on knowledge exchange as a key to unlocking the power of geospatial data for the benefit of people and planet.

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 announces new Co-Chairs for Cadastre and Land Registry Network

EuroGeographics has named Jolien Neckebroeck from Belgium and Vents Priedoliņš from Latvia as new Co-Chairs of its Cadastre and Land Registry Network. 

Jolien, who is Head of the Valuations Department at the Belgian Cadastre, and Vents, who is Cadastre Development Manager at the State Land Service, Latvia, succeed Dr Daniel Steudler from the Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo) who has held the role since 2015.

Known as the CLR KEN, the expert group is part of the extensive knowledge exchange programme organised by the not-for-profit membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. Together, Jolien and Vents will lead EuroGeographics’ collaboration with the EU Permanent Committee on Cadastre (PCC), the European Land Registry Association (ELRA), the European Land Information Service (EULIS) and the Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (CLGE) to establish a common vision for cooperation on cadastre and land registry.

Patricia Sokacova, Membership and Communications Manager, EuroGeographics and the Association’s contact for the CLR KEN said: “We are delighted to welcome Jolien and Vents as Co-Chairs of our expert group that provides the European platform for networking and sharing best practice. We would also like to sincerely thank Dr Steudler for the significant progress made under his leadership and his commitment to demonstrating the value of cadastral data.”

“Cadastral authorities and land registries fulfil an essential role by providing official, detailed, secure and reliable data on property rights and registration, and we look forward to working with Jolien and Vents to further our aim of meeting user needs for this fundamental information at both national and European levels.”

Members of EuroGeographics are working together to deliver pan-European open data through the Open Maps For Europe interface, including an Open Cadastral Map prototype. This currently provides large-scale coverage for six countries and is being enhanced by the Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) project, which is co-funded by the European Union.

The map takes INSPIRE open data and allows the user to find out what is available from national sources in one place before obtaining the data from the official provider. The cadastral map comprises four layers: Administrative Units, Cadastral Parcels (and Cadastral Zones), Buildings (and Building Parts) and Addresses.

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.

EuroGeographics showcases value of official national geospatial data in Copernicus Services

Land Monitoring and Emergency Management are among the Copernicus Services benefitting from the strengthened partnership between providers of official geospatial data and the European Environment Agency (EEA).

The framework agreement between the EEA and EuroGeographics, which represents Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities, streamlines the licensing process to improve access to authoritative information. In doing so, it is increasing the number of datasets available via the Copernicus Reference Data Access (CORDA) database.

Four case studies from Albania, Spain, Germany and Iceland have now been published by EuroGeographics showing the value of official geospatial information for assessing flood and erosion risk, preventing the impact of extreme weather, and in contributing to the new European baseline for monitoring Land Cover and Land Use.

Angela Baker, Head of Partnerships and Sustainability, EuroGeographics said: “The Copernicus Services require reliable and accurate in-situ data to produce and validate their products. The new framework extends our agreement enabling the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service to use members’ authoritative data to include the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) and the Copernicus Security Service (CSS).”

“Copernicus Services’ also have access to 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, responsible for the Copernicus In Situ component EEA added: “To meet end user requirements regarding data content and quality, Copernicus Services need access to open, up-to-date, and harmonised geospatial information across Europe. Data produced by the members of EuroGeographics is therefore key to its success.”

“Typically, geospatial data is relevant for all the different services, but we have identified three key services which require geospatial data: the Copernicus Emergency Service and its rapid mapping, and risk and recovery mapping components; the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service; and the Copernicus Security Service which supports, inter alia, the EU External Action Service.”

“As one of the Entrusted Entities implementing the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS), the EEA is developing the CLC+ Suite of products. Authoritative data from NMCAs is also an important input to the CLC+ Backbone (the geospatial component of the CLC+ Suite of products) to complement the production and updating of satellite-data derived land cover data.”

“By working closely together, we can improve the use of authoritative data and services by Copernicus and ensure National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities are recognised for their essential contributions.”

The case studies focus on:

• Albania where detailed elevation data provided to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service by the State Authority for Geospatial Information (ASIG), Albania was essential for assessing flood risk and its economic impact in the Drin river basin.
• Germany where authoritative digital elevation and land cover data provided by the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), Germany is being used to better understand, predict and prevent future flooding caused by extreme weather.
• Spain where transportation, Land Use and Land Cover data provided to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service by the National Geographic Institute of Spain played a key role in evaluating the impact of the 2022 Ceuta wildfire. It was also used to assess the risk of soil erosion in more than 130 hectares of forest in the Spanish autonomous city which is located on Africa’s north coast.
• Iceland where the National Land Survey is contributing to the new European baseline for monitoring Land Cover and Land Use by providing access to geospatial data consisting of land cover and land use data, contour lines and height points, structures, boundaries, transportation, hydrology, coastal line, surface and place names.

 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.