Geospatial infrastructure has emerged as a cornerstone of modern governance and development, with its applications spanning from environmental monitoring to disaster management, and urban planning to agriculture.
At the Opening Plenary session of the GeoGov Summit 2023 that was held in Virginia, US, key insights were discussed on the pivotal role of geospatial data in shaping the future and how geospatial infrastructure is becoming a driving force for progress.
Advancing Technologies and Collaborative Efforts
David Applegate, Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), set the tone for the session by articulating a compelling vision of the future, one where advancing technologies usher in fresh opportunities. He emphasized the crucial roles played by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in reducing costs and time. But beyond technological advancements, he stressed the need for collaboration.
“Moving forward, we need to work collaboratively to reach the goal of a robust, responsive, and mature national spatial data infrastructure,” David stated.
He highlighted the importance of investing in national datasets to address key national priorities, recognizing the NSDI (National Spatial Data Infrastructure) as infrastructure comparable to other essential needs. Adopting common standards for interoperability and data sharing and integrating with the global NSDI are crucial steps to truly meet the nation’s needs. NSDI must be open, equitable, sustainable, and relevant for that to happen.
The Living Atlas is an example of a significant shift towards service-enabled data as the platform Esri provides facilitates this convergence, enhancing data accessibility and usability.
Patty Mims, Director, Global National Government, Esri, talked about how Data from various sources, including NGOs, commercial entities, and individual farmers, are converging into this Living Atlas platform that efficiently manages, service-enables, and delivers data to those who need it.
Christopher Frommann, Senior Counselor, FEMA, highlighted the federal government’s unique authority in providing source data for specific datasets. FEMA’s role as a federal partner to NSDI was emphasized, underlining the importance of federal agencies in setting global standards for geo-enabled nations. This collaboration helps reshape operational paradigms and ensures the availability of critical geospatial data.
Geospatial Infrastructure: Beneath the Surface and Beyond the Skies
The plenary session also shed light on the often-overlooked aspects of geospatial infrastructure. Debra F. Laefer, Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, highlighted the importance of exploring the place beneath we stand. She pointed to a critical example of a 127-year-old water main burst in Times Square, resulting in a staggering $10 billion in losses and damages to underground utilities.
She said, “Vision of integrated, interoperable sets of data never came into fruition, not because of Technology but a large number of stakeholders, incomplete data, undigitized data, security, privacy concerns and lack of integrated leadership is hindering progress in managing underground utility systems effectively.”
Michael Morgan, Assistant Secretary, Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction at NOAA, underscored the imperative of aligning geospatial activities with open data requirements, industry standards, and best practices. He stressed the importance of not just providing data but also.
He said, “Discovery and access are both essential components to ensure that geospatial data truly meets the diverse needs of the nation. It is also imperative to equip individuals and communities with the tools to discover and utilize relevant information effectively.”
The power of geospatial infrastructure in meeting the needs of the nation is undeniable. It extends beyond technology, encompassing collaboration, standards, and a focus on both the visible and hidden aspects of our environment. The continued development and enhancement of geospatial infrastructure will play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, making a nation resilient, efficient, and responsive to the evolving demands of the future.
