Aligning INSPIRE with other EU legislation is highly valuable but national investments in implementation must be respected

Aligning the INSPIRE Directive with European Union horizontal legislation is highly valuable, but investments already made in the Directive’s implementation must be respected, says EuroGeographics.

In its response to the European Commission’s Public Consultation assessing the impact of the Green Data for All initiative, the Association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities urged the streamlining of the Directive to reduce bureaucratic requirements and focus on solution-driven processes.

“The geodata infrastructure built over the past two decades has many useful applications but currently the management of the geospatial sector within the EU is fragmented and scattered across various Directives,” says Carol Agius, Head of Representation and Stakeholder Engagement, EuroGeographics.

“It would therefore be highly valuable to fully align INSPIRE with the EU’s horizontal legislation, such as the Open Data and Reuse of Public Sector Information, as well as the Implementing Act on High Value Data. However, we would urge the Commission to respect the significant investments our members have already made in implementing INSPIRE by incorporating their practical experience in any future plans.”

EuroGeographics also highlighted the importance of harmonising high-value datasets shared by national public sector bodies. However, it cautions that this is a delicate, sector specific process requiring in-depth knowledge and should only be undertaken by experts.

“Our members are experts in harmonising and edge-matching national geospatial data to create pan-European datasets, most recently to create a high-value large-scale prototype through the Open Maps for Europe 2 (OME2) Project. By the end of 2025, the 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. This proves that the integration of authoritative national geospatial data is the foundation for future pan-European high-value datasets.”

The OME2 project, co-funded by the European Union, is developing a new production process and technical specification for free-to-use, edge-matched data under a single open licence. Authoritative 1:10 000 scale data for 10 countries will be delivered via the user interface built by the award-winning Open Maps For Europe Project. OME2 is also enhancing the five existing Open Maps For Europe datasets, including the pilot Open Cadastral Map.

The project 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.

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.

OME2 Project and Nazka Mapps bring boundaries into the open to show benefits of harmonised data

An open API underpinned by data delivered via Open Maps For Europe (OME) is enabling users to access accurate, up-to-date pan-European boundary information.

Initially created by Belgium-based company Nazka Mapps for its internal development process, the open solution boundaries-api.io is now available to the wider public thanks to the OME open data licence. The API uses EuroGlobalMap and EuroRegionalMap, multi-themed topographic datasets which have been enhanced and updated by the Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) project.

Ann Crabbé, Product Owner, boundaries-api.io, Nazka Mapps, said: “Without the OME2 project, it would not have been possible to create our Boundaries-API, which is designed for application builders that do not want to worry about collecting, harmonising, storing and updating data on administrative boundaries. If this data was not available, we would have to revert to petitioning each country individually, or make use of global datasets that can be unreliable for local situations.”

“With Open Maps For Europe we gather information from the source – the national geographical agencies – so we know that we can trust this data. And, as Open Maps For Europe datasets are open, we then decided to make our solution open to give other map application builders access to accurate and up-to-date boundary information without the hassle of data collection and maintenance.”

Angela Baker, Head of Partnerships and Sustainability, EuroGeographics added: “Administrative boundaries are essential for the cloud-based mapping platforms delivered by Nazka Mapps to simplify complex data, provide insights and drive positive social and environmental change. The two pan-European datasets enhanced by the OME2 project provided the quick and straightforward means of accessing and licensing the official harmonised and edge-matched national boundary data they needed whilst also maintaining accuracy and detail.”

The OME2 project case study on Nazka Mapps boundaries-api.io can be downloaded here. 

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.

OME2 is developing a new production process and technical specification for free-to-use, edge-matched data under a single open licence. Authoritative 1:10 000 scale data for 10 countries will be delivered via the user interface built by the award-winning Open Maps For Europe Project. OME2 is also enhancing the five existing Open Maps For Europe datasets, including the pilot Open Cadastral Map.

About Nazka Mapps

Nazka Mapps innovative solutions seamlessly integrate the geo- and earth observation ecosystem with web development, all in the cloud. Its mission is to make geo-information easily accessible and highly valuable, providing insights that improve environment, enhance mobility, promote better health, and tackle climate challenges effectively.

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 2 (OME2) adds two new countries to updated harmonised high-value data prototype

Luxembourg and Switzerland are the latest countries to be included in the Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) high-value large-scale pan European prototype.

OME2 high-value large-scale pan European prototype data for Luxembourg.

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

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.

Coverage of the OME2 high-value large-scale pan European prototype.

Victoria Persson, Project Manager – Data Access and Integration, EuroGeographics said: “We are delighted to announce that the OME2 high-value large-scale pan European prototype now covers Luxembourg and Switzerland, in addition to Belgium, France and The Netherlands. By the end of 2025, it 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.”

“OME2 is already demonstrating how authoritative large-scale high-value data can be combined to create pan-European harmonised edge-matched datasets to meet demand for geospatial information in all common data spaces of the European Strategy for Data. Its focus on useability, as well as accessibility, will provide a foundation for future pan-European high-value data aligned with key EU Policy objectives and UN core geospatial data recommendations.”

The OME2 project, which is co-funded by the European Union, is also enhancing the five existing Open Maps For Europe datasets. The most recent updates include new releases of the Open Gazetteer and Pan-European Imagery.

The Open Gazetteer provides authoritative geographical names as maintained in the source data from the National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities. It can be used for any reference or information purpose and is updated annually. Germany’s Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) is the production manager.

BKG is also production manager and product owner of the OME pan-European Imagery service which it makes available through the Open Maps For Europe interface. This processed mosaic with a 10-metre resolution, created from European Union´s Earth observation programme Copernicus (Sentinel-2, L1C-L2A), and 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 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 2 (OME2) expands Open Cadastral Map with four new countries

Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) has added Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg and Slovakia to the latest update of the Open Cadastral Map.

As a result, 10 countries are now included in the prototype map service for European cadastral data. This compiles and harmonises INSPIRE open data to provide users with an overview of the information available with user-friendly links for direct download from data providers’ national geoportals.

OME2 is enhancing the Open Cadastral Map prototype, which is available through the Open Maps For Europe interface, and also developing a strategy that will increase the use of European cadastral data by making it more findable and accessible. The project, co-funded by the European Union, 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 Mapping Agency, The Netherlands.

Victoria Persson, Project Manager – Data Access and Integration at EuroGeographics, said: “OME2’s 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.”

“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.”

“User needs are at the heart of OME2, and our aim is not only to promote access to high-value data but also its use. We invite all users to provide feedback and to share their case studies. The Project can be contacted through the Open Maps For Europe contact form.”

In addition to Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg and Slovakia, the Open Cadastral Map prototype covers the Czech Republic, Denmark, The Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia and Spain. Machine-readable metadata for the data service is now available on the European Data Portal. 

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.

Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) offers new download option for harmonised high-value data prototype

Users of high-value large-scale geospatial data can now download the Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2) prototype via www.mapsforeurope.org.

Version one of the prototype was launched earlier this year and provides 1: 10 000 scale authoritative administrative boundary and transport data for Belgium, France and The Netherlands. The new function enables the data to be downloaded by theme, country or administrative area using GeoPackage, an open format for geospatial information. Users preferring a web streaming service can continue to choose from WFS, WMS or WMTS.

Victoria Persson, Project Manager – Data Access and Integration at EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities which is coordinating the Project, said: “User needs are at the heart of OME2, and our aim is not only to promote access to high-value data but also its use.”

“The new download feature is particularly beneficial for those requiring ready-to-use authoritative data for desktop GIS and digital map production, such as the European institutions. The next release of data will be available by the end of 2024 and, by the end of 2025, the prototype is expected to cover 10 countries with three datasets that users have identified as key themes: administrative boundaries, transport and hydrography.”

“OME2 authoritative data from official national sources is harmonised across countries and available via the Open Maps For Europe interface under a single open licence. This saves users time, effort and resources as they no longer need to visit individual Member State geoportals to access specific datasets, spend significant resources connecting them, or agree to multiple licences.”

The OME2 project, co-funded by the European Union, 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 Mapping Agency, The Netherlands.

In addition to developing a new production process and technical specification for free-to-use, edge-matched data, it is also enhancing the five existing datasets, including the pilot Open Cadastral Map, available via Open Maps For Europe online interface, developed by IDOX France.

All users of OME2 data are encouraged to provide feedback on functionality and to share their case studies. The Project can be contacted through the Open Maps For Europe contact form.

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.

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.