Open ELS Project unveils first test services at GWF

Open data services developed using official national sources of geospatial information have been demonstrated for the first time at Geospatial World Forum  (2 April 2019).

Conference delegates received an exclusive preview of the first test services from the Open European Location Services (ELS) Project which is being coordinated by EuroGeographics, the membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities.

The services are being delivered through a customer interface developed by ThinkWhere and include pan-European topographic data (EuroGlobalMap), an Open cadastral Index map of property level information and a regional gazetteer of geographical names. 

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Strategic Partnership for Geospatial World Forum 2019

EuroGeographics and Geospatial Media & Communications have entered into a strategic partnership for Geospatial World Forum 2019.

Colin Bray, President of EuroGeographics and Sanjay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Geospatial Media & Communications signed the agreement during the United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress in Deqing.

Through this partnership, EuroGeographics, the international not-for-profit membership association for European national mapping, land registry and cadastral agencies, will encourage its member network to attend the conference scheduled to be held in Amsterdam from 2-4 April 2019.

As a Strategic Partner, EuroGeographics will co-organize an Exchange Forum on “Growing Role of Geospatial Data Agencies in the Digital Economy” at the conference. The Exchange Forum will discuss the need for Geospatial Data Agencies to reorient themselves in order to stay relevant in the digital economy. Topics such as democratization of geographic data, open standards, and public-private partnerships, among others, will be of focus.

“As the official bodies responsible for national cadastre, land registration, geodetic surveying and mapping activities in Europe, our members fulfil an essential role providing official, definitive and detailed geospatial information,” says Mick Cory, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics.

“We believe in a society empowered by the use of their authoritative geospatial data and services. Our partnership with Geospatial World Forum is a great opportunity to show how they are driving applications to realise a wide range of social, economic and environmental benefits, as well as quicker, more efficient, secure and reliable land registration in support of an equitable property market.”

"The common objective of this partnership is to facilitate greater industry insight into work of the national mapping, land registry and cadastral agencies via a business platform like Geospatial World Forum,” says Sanjay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Geospatial Media and Communications. “It has been a great endeavor for us at Geospatial Media to highlight how government and industry can work together. We’re delighted to have the support of an esteemed organization like EuroGeographics in bringing this endeavor forward,” he added.

About EuroGeographics

EuroGeographics is an independent international not-for-profit organization representing Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities. The organization currently brings together more than 60 member organizations from 46 countries. EuroGeographics supports the public good by representing our members’ interests, maintaining networks that help our members improve their capabilities and role, and by facilitating access to and use of our members’ geospatial data and services. By providing a single point of contact, we enable government, business and citizens to benefit from their collective expertise, products and services.

About Geospatial World Forum

Geospatial World Forum is a collaborative and interactive platform, which demonstrates collective and shared vision of the global geospatial community. It is an annual gathering of 1500+ geospatial professionals and leaders representing the entire geospatial ecosystem – public policies, national mapping agencies, private sector enterprises, multilateral and development organizations, scientific and academic institutions, and above all end users from government, businesses, and citizen services.

Co-hosted by the Dutch Kadaster, the 2019 Forum will carry the theme ‘#geospatialbydefault – Empowering billions!’ to demonstrate geospatial technology as ubiquitous, pervasive, and ‘default’ in our daily lives. Some of the topics to be discussed includes sustainable development goals, smart cities, construction & engineering, location analytics & business intelligence, environment; and emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, big data, cloud, blockchain and others. Learn more about the conference at www.geospatialworldforum.org

EuroGeographics expands coverage of administrative boundaries in latest release

Boundary information for 55 countries is available in EuroGeographics’ latest release of data from official national sources.

EuroBoundaryMap enables the exact matching of administrative areas with statistical data using a European-wide unique identifier and is produced using harmonised geospatial data from 39 members of the not-for-profit organisation for European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. It covers all 28 EU Member States, 3 current EU candidate countries, 4 EFTA States and Kosovo as well as Greenland, the Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira and French overseas territories.  

Angela Baker, Sales, Marketing and Channel Manager, EuroGeographics said: “This new version of EuroBoundaryMap offers the latest administrative and statistical information for 55 countries – from the most detailed local level to country level. In addition, the data links to the updated statistical LAU- and NUTS-codes for all local administrative units of the EU 28, which makes it ideal for a wide range of geo-referencing and analytical applications.”

“As part of our annual data update, we have also enhanced our 1:250 000 scale topographic mapping, EuroRegionalMap. Following the addition of Croatia, it now offers full coverage of the EU 28 and the boundary, hydrology, miscellaneous and name themes have been updated.”

“EuroGeographics believes in a society empowered by the use of trusted geospatial services from official national sources. Facilitating access to our members' data by delivering European geospatial products and services plays a key role in achieving this vision.”

EuroGeographics’ portfolio of pan-European datasets includes open data and a digital elevation model. The data is harmonised to standard specifications, so users can be confident that the information provided is consistent, comparable and easily shared — regardless of its national source – and is available under transparent pricing and licensing agreements.

Germany’s Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) manages production of EuroBoundaryMap and EuroRegionalMap whilst the National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN France) supports the production of EuroGlobalMap open data.

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For further information please email: press@eurogeographics.org.

Notes to Editors

EuroGeographics

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, Cadastre and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together 63 members from 46 countries.

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

Colin Bray elected President of EuroGeographics

Colin Bray, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Survey Officer, Ordnance Survey Ireland has been elected President of EuroGeographics.

Mr Bray was elected by the Heads of Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities at their membership association’s 2018 General Assembly. He succeeds Ingrid Vanden Berghe from the National Geographic Institute, Belgium who has held the position since 2011.

Members also voted representatives from Cyprus, Denmark, The Netherlands and Ukraine to the Association’s Management Board. As a result it now comprises:

  • President Colin Bray, Ordnance Survey Ireland.
  • Andreas Hadjiraftis, Department of Lands and Surveys of Cyprus.
  • Kristian Møller, Danish Agency for Data Supply and Efficiency.
  • Sylvain Latarget, National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France.
  • Martin Lenk, Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy, Germany.
  • David Henderson, Ordnance Survey, Great Britain.
  • Martin Salzmann, The Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency.
  • Liudmyla Shemelynets, State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre.
  • Amalia Velasco Martín-Varés, Spanish Directorate General for Cadastre.

Mr Bray said his focus would be on ensuring that EuroGeographics is strategically positioned to support the ongoing development and sustainability of its members.

He added:“EuroGeographics members are very significant organisations with long and proud histories in providing quality national geospatial services.There is no doubt that data from these official sources is needed but, in the information age, we cannot continue to do things in the same way as they have been done before.”

“It is 18 years since the Association was first established following the merger of MEGRIN and CERCO. When marking an important anniversary, it is tempting to focus on past achievements – of which there are many – but it is also important that we continue to look to the future.If we are to secure the sustainability of our national geospatial services, we must act as enablers of an integrated geospatial reference platform for Europe for evidence-based decision-making and planning.”

Leaders and senior representatives from 51 authorities in 42 European countries attended the annual General Assembly hosted by the Czech Office for Surveying, Mapping and Cadastre in Prague.

The three-day event, was officially opened by Mr Pavel Sekáč, Minister for EU Funds, Science, Research and Education with a welcome from Karel Večeře, Director General, Czech Office for Surveying, Mapping and Cadastre, and a keynote from Konstantinos Kapsouropoulos, Policy Officer, DG CONNECT.

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For further information please contact press@eurogeographics.org.

Notes to Editors

EuroGeographics

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, Cadastre and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together 63 members from 46 countries.

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

 

 

EuroGeographics pledges support for global geospatial information framework

EuroGeographics has welcomed a new guide for improving location-based data management and reconfirmed its active support for an integrated global geospatial information framework.

At the Eighth Session of the UN-GGIM in New York, Mick Cory, Secretary General and Executive Director of theinternational not-for-profit association, congratulated the UN Statistics Division and World Bank on their work to develop an integrated geospatial information framework as an overarching strategic policy guide and reference.

To help communicate, coordinate and implement this framework in Europe, EuroGeographics is offering to further facilitate access to its members, the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs),through its extensive programme of activities for sharing expertise and knowledge.

Mr Cory said: “We share the UN and World Bank’s strategic aim of improving capacity and capability in the area of national spatial data infrastructures. European NMCAs play an important role in UN-GGIM and our members place tremendous value on collaborating to find solutions to common challenges with many already providing expert assistance to low and middle income countries. We are committed to exploring how we can help further facilitate access through this framework.”

“EuroGeographics has a well-established network for exchanging knowledge and expertise, as well as a successful track record of delivering geospatial information and projects, which can be used to avoid duplication of effort and promote complementarity. Members’ willingness to share experiences and best practice is central to the success of our Knowledge Exchange Networks.”

“The Knowledge Exchange Networks, which include our high-level General Assembly for the Heads of European NMCAs, cover a wide range of subjects, including policy, surveying, data quality, positioning and licensing. They provide a forum for discussing issues of mutual interest through a comprehensive calendar of annual events, including webinars, workshops and conferences, and also issue a range of publications such as the results of research, policy papers and best practice guidelines.” 

Mr Cory also welcomed the publication of a new UN and World Bank guide for improving location-based data management to better inform decision-making. He added that he hoped the recent action plan piloted by EuroGeographics members in Albania would help others learn and develop the detailed implementation plans outlined within it.

EuroGeographics actively supports and contributes to the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management initiative (UN-GGIM) and is also an observer on the Executive Committee of UN- GGIM: Europe, for which it provides the secretariat.

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For further information please contact press@eurogeographics.org.

Notes to Editors

EuroGeographics

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, Cadastre and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together 63 members from 46 countries.

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

NMCAs plan to develop new core reference dataset for Europe

The international not-for-profit membership organisation for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs), has signed an agreement with Germany’s Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) to coordinate technical production and quality management.

A prototype, focusing on transportation (road and railway) and hydrography themes, is to be available in Autumn 2018 and will also include basic feature types and attributes. This will be followed by the launch of the first version of the new dataset in Spring 2019.

EuroGeographics’ Secretary General and Executive Director, Mick Cory said: “Our members’ have made significant investments in implementing the INSPIRE Directive and delivering interoperable information. Delivering this new dataset is just one of the ways they ensure that their authoritative geospatial information is consistent with other data, in particular from other public authorities, to maximise its value and benefit for the public good.”

“BKG has extensive experience of harmonising and edge matching their national data and EuroGeographics products to comply with the INSPIRE Directive. I am delighted that they have agreed to provide technical support and coordination for this exciting new initiative.”

The core reference dataset is part of EuroGeographics’ wider vision for European Location Services, a unique and powerful source of harmonised geospatial information from official sources. After delivering the prototype, the intention is to include additional themes such as buildings or settlement areas, addresses and elevation, and to offer coverage for all EU and EFTA Member States and EU Candidate countries. Production is dependent on sustainable funding being secured.

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For further information please contact Rhian French on +44 1264 300126, +447892 698 350 (mobile) or email: press@eurogeographics.org

Notes to Editors

EuroGeographics

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, Cadastre and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together 63 members from 46 countries.

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

EuroGeographics announces new additions to open data for 2018

EuroGeographics has released a new version of EuroGlobalMap, its open data created from official national sources.

Forty-five members of the Association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities have contributed to EuroGlobalMap, which now includes fields for the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) within the updated transport theme, specifically links for railways (RailrdL) and road networks (RoadL). The latest release also includes updated information for the 1: 1 million dataset’s administrative and settlement themes. It is available at www.eurogeographics.org/form/topographic-data-eurogeographics.

Angela Baker, Sales, Marketing and Channel Manager, EuroGeographics said: “As a result of these latest updates, three themes have been generalised from our more detailed products, 1: 100 000 EuroBoundaryMap and 1: 250 000 EuroRegionalMap, giving even greater confidence that the information provided is consistent, comparable and easily shared — regardless of its national source. We have also updated the metadata and checked its compliance with INSPIRE metadata regulations.”

Since its launch in 2013, more than 6,500 users have downloaded EuroGlobalMap. Feedback indicates that they greatly value high quality, reliable data from official national sources and that open data provides a great first step in discovering the wider benefits of pan-European map and land information.

The 2018 release of EuroGlobalMap covers 45 countries and territories, and comprises six themes: Administrative boundaries, names locations, transport networks, settlements, elevation; and the water network. It is available free of charge under an open data licence from www.eurogeographics.org and enables a wide range of applications, including mobile mapping, demographic and socio-economic analysis, hydrology, energy and environment modelling and in education and research. It is also ideal for cartographic visualisation across Europe.

 

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For further information please contact Rhian French on +44 1264 300126, +447892 698 350 (mobile) or email: press@eurogeographics.org.

Notes to Editors

EuroGeographics

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, Cadastre and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together 63 members from 46 countries.

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

Research reveals scope of open geospatial data from official national sources across Europe

Open data is available from the majority of European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs), a new survey has found.

Research by the Open European Location Services (ELS) Project reveals that 98% of respondents provide at least some of their data free of charge. Of these, 37% make all their data available under an open licence.

Whilst open data models vary, more than 85% provide view and search services, 72% enable downloads and 67% allow its re-use in products. Users include public authorities, public services, research and education as well as commercial companies.

“This survey provides a snapshot of the scope of open data from official national sources across geographical Europe,” says Dominik Kopczewski, Policy Development Manager at international not-for-profit organisation, EuroGeographics which is co-ordinating the Open ELS Project.

“With rising demand for open geospatial data, it is unsurprising that almost all the NMCAs questioned provide at least some of their information for free, funded primarily via government. We believe this demonstrates growing recognition of their contribution to delivering policy, economic growth and market development.”

“A key finding however, is that, in addition to the legal and economic challenges faced by NMCAs, the interpretation of open data also varies significantly. As a result, so do the terms of use across Europe, with some NMCAs allowing its re-use in products and others only view, search and download services.”

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“One of the key aims of the Open ELS Project is to provide certainty about what open data from official sources is free, what is charged for and under what terms and conditions. This research is the first step in delivering an Open ELS open data policy which will complement the national activities of NMCAs and respect their national policy, legislative and business requirements.”

The survey was completed by 46 members of EuroGeographics, the Association for European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities, which is coordinating the two-year Open ELS Project co-financed by the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility.

Key findings

Of the 44 NMCAs responding to the Open ELS questionnaire:

  • 26 (56%) reported that their country had a national open data policy.
  • 29 (63%) had an open data policy in their organisation with a further eight (18%) preparing one. Where NMCAs do not have their own open data policy, this is usually because they have already implemented national open data legislation.
  • 69% (29) reported that their open data was funded via government.

For more information, visit openels.eu.

 

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For further information please contact Rhian French on +44 1264 300126, +447892 698 350(mobile) or email press@eurogeographics.org.

 

Notes to Editors

Open European Location Services (Open ELS) is a two-year project co-financed by the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility. It is developing pan-European data services using authoritative geospatial information and an associated business model. In doing so, it aims to improve the availability of geospatial information from the public authorities responsible for mapping, cadastre and land registries. The Project is focused on facilitating access to, and encouraging the take up and use of this information, and is strongly user orientated with a comprehensive programme of activities for SMEs. 

EuroGeographics, which represents Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, is coordinating the two-year initiative co-financed by the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility. The international not-for-profit association is working with partners from member organisations in Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands to deliver this core component for wider operational European Location Services.

The sole responsibility of this publication lies with the author. The European Union is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Agreement to provide secretariat for UN-GGIM: Europe renewed

EuroGeographics has renewed its Service Level Agreement with The Netherlands' Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster) to provide secretariat services for UN-GGIM: Europe.

The membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastre and Land Registry Authorities, which has UN-GGIM: Europe observer status, has supported the Executive Committee in delivering its objectives since 2015 with Carol Agius fulfilling the role of Administrator. In addition to ensuring that relevant organisations in the European UN Member States and European Institutions are well informed about its activities, EuroGeographics also organises the annual plenary as well as Executive Committee and Working Group Meetings.

Chair of the UN-GGIM: Europe Executive Committee, Bengt Kjellson from Sweden said: “UN-GGIM: Europe is a mechanism for discussion and decision-making at an international political and policy level. EuroGeographics has extensive experience of bringing organisations together to find solutions to common challenges and we are very pleased that it will continue to provide a secretariat for our work.”

Vice Chair of Chair of the UN-GGIM: Europe Executive Committee, Dorine Burmanje from The Netherlands added: “The Netherlands is responsible for providing a secretariat to UN-GGIM: Europe and has done so very successfully through its agreement with EuroGeographics. Its renewal will not only ensure the smooth running of UN-GGIM: Europe activities, but will also further our work to demonstrate the power of location.”

President of EuroGeographics, Ingrid Vanden Berghe, commented: “It is a great privilege to fulfil the role of secretariat for UN-GGIM: Europe. We’re delighted to continue to support its work which contributes to the more effective management, availability and integration of geospatial information in Europe. For the mapping agencies that we represent, UNGGIM is an important forum to advocate their contribution to the better understanding and sustainable development of our world.”

The Service Level Agreement was signed at EuroGeographics 2016 General Assembly Budapest, Hungary.

For more information, visit www.un-ggim-europe.org

 

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For further information contact Carol Agius T: + 356 7902 3057 E: carol.agius@eurogeographics.org.

Notes to Editors

UN-GGIM: Europe is a regional committee of the United Nations Initiative on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).

Drawing on the national capacities and capabilities of Member States, UN-GGIM was established in 2011. It takes a leading role in setting the agenda for global geospatial information development as well as in promoting its benefits for addressing both national policy and key global challenges.

Ireland and Spain elected to EuroGeographics Management Board

Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastre and Land Registry Authorities have elected representatives from Ireland and Spain to the Management Board of their membership Association, EuroGeographics.

Colin Bray, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Survey Officer, Ordnance Survey Ireland and Amalia Velasco Martín-Varés, International Affairs Coordinator, Spanish Directorate General for Cadastre will help to shape its strategic direction and, in particular its vision for European Location Services.

As a result of the vote during the Association’s 2017 General Assembly in Vienna. Austria, the EuroGeographics Management Board now comprises:

  • President Ingrid Vanden Berghe, National Geographic Institute, Belgium
  • Vice President, Hansjoerg Kutterer, Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy, Germany
  • Sylvain Latarget, National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France
  • David Henderson, Ordnance Survey, Great Britain.
  • Colin Bray, Ordnance Survey Ireland
  • Anne Cathrine Frøstrup, Norwegian Mapping Authority
  • Konstantin Koltonyuk, Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr), Russia
  • Darko Vujetic, Republic Geodetic Authority, Serbia.
  • Amalia Velasco Martín-Varés, Spanish Directorate General for Cadastre.

Leaders and senior representatives from 50 authorities in 42 countries attended the annual General Assembly hosted by the Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying (BEV).

The two-day event, which coincided with the celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the Austrian Cadastre, was officially opened by Matthias Tschirf, Vice-Minister of Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy with welcoming addresses from Wernher Hoffmann, President of BEV and Robert Edelmaier, BEV Vice-President and Director of the Metrology Service.

EuroGeographics President, Ingrid Vanden Berghe said: “In his official opening, Mr Tschirf recognised that our members bear a great responsibility as the official sources of mapping, cadastre and land registration. Not only do they record and secure the property of citizens but they also ensure the essential basis for administration and economy.”

“International cooperation is needed to achieve this for Europe and, as there is no intergovernmental organisation for surveying and geoinformation, the work of EuroGeographics and its members is of the utmost importance.”

“Our aim is to deliver value to our members to support better governance for the benefit of society in general, a society that is empowered by the use of their official authoritative geospatial services.”

 

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For further information please contact Rhian French on +44 1264 300126, +447892 698 350(mobile) or email press@eurogeographics.org.

 

Notes to Editors

EuroGeographics
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, Cadastre and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together 61 members from 46 countries.

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