Development of a Geospatial Framework
REGIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE - WALL
DEVELOPMENT OF A GEOSPATIAL FRAMEWORK
TO IMPLEMENT A REGIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE (RSDI)
IN CARICOM
(Ninth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for the Americas,
United Nations, New York, August, 2009).
August, 2009
Harold Wall
IDB/UNFPA Project Coordinator
Regional Statistics
CARICOM Secretariat
1
REGIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE - WALL
Abstract
Almost all human activities take place on land. In fact, human existence is almost impossible without this resource (Ramlal, 2001). As the effects of global climate change are becoming more destructive in small-island states in the Caribbean, Governments are becoming aware of the need to effectively manage this finite resource and its accompanying attribute data. The effective management of land and its resources requires spatial data that are current, timely, reliable and relevant. The systems currently in place are not responsive to the needs of the timely intervention required for informed policy decisions (Ramlal, 2001). What is needed is a framework to facilitate the coordinated exchange of spatial information on natural resources, environment, land ownership, land use, transport, communication, demography and socio-economic factors amongst spatial data stakeholders within the
CARICOM community. A regional coordinating approach to effectively manage information provides viable alternatives to address this problem, not just locally but regionally.
This paper discusses a justification for the development of such a regional framework.
2
REGIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE - WALL
Introduction
Decision Support Systems (DSS) that rely on Geospatial information have proliferated over the past few years and are increasingly embedded in the operations of Regional Governments. Regional demand for wide-ranging and accurate Geospatial data that can be quickly integrated with other socioeconomic and demographic
DEVELOPMENT OF A GEOSPATIAL FRAMEWORK
TO IMPLEMENT A REGIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE (RSDI)
IN CARICOM
(Ninth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for the Americas,
United Nations, New York, August, 2009).
August, 2009
Harold Wall
IDB/UNFPA Project Coordinator
Regional Statistics
CARICOM Secretariat
1
REGIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE - WALL
Abstract
Almost all human activities take place on land. In fact, human existence is almost impossible without this resource (Ramlal, 2001). As the effects of global climate change are becoming more destructive in small-island states in the Caribbean, Governments are becoming aware of the need to effectively manage this finite resource and its accompanying attribute data. The effective management of land and its resources requires spatial data that are current, timely, reliable and relevant. The systems currently in place are not responsive to the needs of the timely intervention required for informed policy decisions (Ramlal, 2001). What is needed is a framework to facilitate the coordinated exchange of spatial information on natural resources, environment, land ownership, land use, transport, communication, demography and socio-economic factors amongst spatial data stakeholders within the
CARICOM community. A regional coordinating approach to effectively manage information provides viable alternatives to address this problem, not just locally but regionally.
This paper discusses a justification for the development of such a regional framework.
2
REGIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE - WALL
Introduction
Decision Support Systems (DSS) that rely on Geospatial information have proliferated over the past few years and are increasingly embedded in the operations of Regional Governments. Regional demand for wide-ranging and accurate Geospatial data that can be quickly integrated with other socioeconomic and demographic
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