14. Discuss Openning Up Geospatial Information
Geodata is a broad term that refers to data that has a spatial component, defined through various methods, such as pairs of coordinates, name of location, address identifiers etc. Its usage is wide spread over various domains, such as: natural resources, government, mapping, health services, transportation, communications and utilities, military, public safety and the list may continue. In the last decades, given the considerable technological and informational progress, the geoinformation private sector has flourished. There is an immense untapped resource of geospatial information, and that is represented by the databases of national agencies and institutions that have produced and collected data within national monitoring networks and research projects for an extensive period of time. Geodata relevant matters, that need top be addressed, include: quality and relevance, bridging community driven geodata with public geodata, legislation aspects (connection between PSI Directive and INSPIRE Directive, technical issues). This Best Practice suggests a methodology for organizing open public geodata discussions.