1. The SIRE Database
Torbiörn Carlquist
06/12/2002

2. Background SIRE European infra-regional information system
Local administrative units levels 1 / 2
(former NUTS levels 4 / 5 )
Population census data
Eligibility for Structural Funds
Maybe Agricultural data in future

3. Coverage SIRE Geographical Contents EU-15 100,000 units
Population censuses 1980/81 and 1990/91
Around 30 variables

4. Population Census New Census round 2000/2001
Community Census Programme
Tables 38 to 40
Data collection started in 2002
Deadline June 2003
Candidate countries will be included
EFTA countries are welcome to contribute

5. Population Census Surface area questionnaire
3 concepts of area (total, land, inhabitable)
Same set of LAU as in population census
Questionnaire sent out Nov. 2002
Deadline Dec. 2002
Candidate countries will be included
EFTA countries are welcome to contribute

6. PHARE project SIRE PHARE - 10 Central European countries Activities
Study of the administrative trail
Population data 1990/91 census round
Manage changes to local units
Activities
Workshop in Nürnberg (DE) May 2002
Missions to each country July-Dec 2002

7. Changes to local units NPS - Nomenclature Preparation System
Application for management of classifications
LAU 1/2 codes are maintained in NPS
All changes to local units are reported by Member States
Specific format for reports: CONC/MODA

8. CONC/MODA Concordance/Modification Problem areas:
Format for reporting changes to local units
Annual reports from each Member State
Predecessor/successor links
Used for EU-15 since 1991
Problem areas:
Parts of UK (Scotland, N. Ireland)
Greece after reform in 1997

9. CONC/MODA needed!
All participants are asked to submit CONC/MODA files up to 2003
EU Member States
EFTA countries (voluntary)
CE Candidate countries: PHARE project
Cyprus, Malta: solution has to be found

10. Pilot study SIRE If problems with CONC/MODA format More applicants ?
Grant from EU to the Statistical office
3 pilot studies finalised (FI, NL, UK)
1 pilot study is on-going (DE)
More applicants ?
Delegates from EU are asked to consider a pilot study

11. LAU 1 / NUTS 4 Intermediate level
Used in 6 EU countries (FI, GR, IE, LU, PT, UK)
in 12 candidate countries
and 4 EFTA countries
Useful aggregation level
Larger urban zone
Agricultural divisions

12. LAU 1 / NUTS 4 Define LAU 1 in more countries ?
France - cantons de rattachement
Germany - Verwaltungsgemeinschaften
Spain?
Italy?
Austria (Politische Bezirke)?

13. NUTS regulation Hopefully approved beginning of 2003
Only NUTS levels 1, 2 and 3
Requires list of LAU
CONC/MODA files will still be needed

14. Annual data in SIRE Problem: census data has decennial periodicity
Census data are old in mid-decade and after
Proposal:
To store annual data for LAU in SIRE
Total population only
Need the data from the Member States

15. Thanks for listening !
Any Questions ?