th UNRCC for the Americas Robert W. Foster, President of FIG 1 SPATIAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IN THE 21 ST CENTURY Robert W. Foster, Matt Higgins and Jes Ryttersgaard International Federation of Surveyors

th UNRCC for the Americas Robert W. Foster, President of FIG 2 FIG Introduction to Spatial Information Spatial Data Infrastructure Technological Developments Data Collection Final Remarks Contents

th UNRCC for the Americas Robert W. Foster, President of FIG 3 Fédération Internationale des Géomètres UN/ECOSOC recognised NGO Only international body representing all surveying disciplines Member associations in 79 countries representing more than 230,000 surveyors Totally over 100 countries represented International Federation of Surveyors

th UNRCC for the Americas Robert W. Foster, President of FIG 4 transportation infrastructure in a region health monitoring programmes cadastre projects land management spatial planning socio-economic issues monitoring of environmental issues environmental impact assessment conservation projects natural resource management Introduction to Spatial Information

th UNRCC for the Americas Robert W. Foster, President of FIG 5 Experiences NSDI is an Asset for all Nations in general in line with other infrastructure assets such as roads, telecommunication networks etc. Establishing of a NSDI demands co-operation between the public and the private sectors and amongst the variety of professions involved. NSDI can proceed even if a formal policy document does not exist. It is possible to proceed with certain operational level activities while the policy is being formulated. Every NSDI will be different, depending on cultural needs, social evolution, economic reality and national ambitions. National Spatial Data Infrastructure

th UNRCC for the Americas Robert W. Foster, President of FIG 6 Visions Cadastral, topographic and thematic data sets should adopt the same overarching philosophy and data model. To be able to offer the different users the full potential of spatial information the full range of spatial data, should be made accessible. Alternative possibilities for the presentation and interpretations of spatial information should be considered. The commercial and contractual frameworks for co-operation and the associated business models will be key issues in the further development of NSDI. National Spatial Data Infrastructure

th UNRCC for the Americas Robert W. Foster, President of FIG 7 Mass-produced hardware and standard software Web-GIS in which the users handle geographic information using standard web browsers is a reality Satellite positioning Mobile mapping systems Integration of total stations and real time satellite positioning Technological Developments

th UNRCC for the Americas Robert W. Foster, President of FIG 8 Space based technologies using inexpensive hand-held receivers GPS-surveying with the so-called real-time kinematic technique (RTK) The spatial referencing part of the NSDI includes geodetic reference marks, supplemented with GPS base stations Satellite radar altimetry Remote sensing technologies like photogrammetry and spectral and laser scanning Data Collection – Major Trends

th UNRCC for the Americas Robert W. Foster, President of FIG 9 It is our duty to promote sustainable development. We create the overview by monitoring developments and continuously analysing results. Information technology is indispensable, but data and information are a prerequisite. There is a great need for spatial information. However, this is not solely a question of information. There is a very significant management element. Spatial Information Management is becoming a major area of work for surveyors throughout the world. Final Remarks

th UNRCC for the Americas Robert W. Foster, President of FIG March th International Symposium on Deformation Measurements, Anaheim, California, USA 6-11 May 2001FIG Working Week 2001, Seoul, Korea 6-8 June 2001Istanbul+5, New York, USA May 2001GSDI 5 (participation), Cartagena, Colombia 2-5 October 2001FIG/UN International Conference on Spatial Information for Sustainable Development, Nairobi, Kenya April 2002FIG Congress, Washington DC, USA October 2003International Conference on Spatial Information Management, FIG Commission 3, Colombia FIG in the Americas and on GIS