Data quality and consistency in INSPIRE

Abstract:
The development of Geographic Information Systems and later on the Spatial Data Infrastructures has led to the change of paradigm in data collection, usage, and information communication. Recognising that the most expensive part of these systems is the data, the principle of “collect once and use it more times” has triggered the development not only the technology but organisational and policy measures too.

The European response to the new paradigm has been manifested in the INSPIRE Directive (EC 2007/2) that is targeted at supporting the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Community environmental policies and policies that have environmental impact by overcoming the barriers affecting the availability and accessibility of pertinent data, which include, amongst others, inconsistencies in spatial data collection and incompatibility of spatial data sets and services

In order to overcome these barriers an open and participative approach has been put in place to draft the specifications on interoperability of spatial data sets and services, and when appropriate, data harmonisation. The target to be achieved will be formalised in data specifications according to ISO 19131, where data quality is one of its possible element. Depending on the user requirements the Thematic Working Groups responsible for their development may set such targets.

As data consistency is required not only within a dataset, but also between different levels of details and different data themes the Generic Conceptual Model of INSPIRE includes data consistency as a harmonisation element.

Katalin Tóth, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Biography:
TBC