National Spatial Data Infrastructure Phenomenon

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Why is it important?

The widespread and rapid diffusion of National Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDIs) throughout the world during the last ten years has led to the emergence of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure phenomenon. With this in mind this paper considers the nature of this phenomenon and discusses some of the lessons that can be learnt from this experience. It is divided into four main parts. The first of these describes some of the main milestones in its emergence while the second examines the nature of NSDIs. The third part evaluates the experience of the first generation of NSDIs and discusses the changes that are taking place in the emerging second generation. It also explores some of the changes that are involved in the transition from NSDI formulation to implementation and considers some of the main features of the emerging SDI hierarchy. The fourth and final section of the paper deals with some of the broader strategic issues that are associated with the creation of effective SDIs. These include the length of time that is likely to be required to create an effective NSDI, the costs that this is likely to incur and who will pay them, the links between NSDIs and eGovernment, and the cultural barriers that will have to be overcome by both data producers and data users during NSDI implementation. .