Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe: The INSPIRE proposal of the European Commission

Abstract

On 23 July 2004 the European Commission adopted a proposal establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in the Community (INSPIRE). The proposed Directive creates a legal framework for the establishment and operation of an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe, also referred to as a European Spatial Data Infrastructure (ESDI), for the purpose of formulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating Community policies at all levels and providing public information. Interoperability of spatial information and services is an important aspect of the ESDI. This presentation provides some background information about INSPIRE and the process that lead to INSPIRE. It gives details about sections of the proposed Directive, focussing in particular on the technical aspects of the foreseen infrastructure, and suggests how the technical realisation of INSPIRE can be linked to developments that are on-going in the field of environmental informatics. More information about INSPIRE is available at http://inspire.jrc.it.