Geographic information pays an essential role in over 80% of all decisions made in the public and private sphere. Increased co-operation between the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia has made the need for a cross-border geographic information structure even more urgent, as this aspect is becoming ever more important in creating resolutions. The first steps towards preparing this type of infrastructure were made as early as the end of 2000. A feasibility study conducted in 2003 with financial support from Euregio emphasised the necessity for this type of infrastructure once again and also demonstrated the great interest among the many different parties involved in this effort. The plan to establish and develop an X-border-GDI (cross-border geodata infrastructure) was also enthusiastically welcomed and strengthened by all participants during the 2nd Geo Conference in Münster. It was also emphasised that such a programme would have to focus on the general availability and usage of geoinformation as well as the necessary aspects of information technology. As a result, five main focus areas were defined: Land Planning, Water Management, Disaster Relief, Tourism, Nature, Environment and Tourism as well as Transportation and Economy.
The aim of the programme is to develop and implement a structure for the supply of cross-border geographic information in North Rhine-Westphalia and the Netherlands. This will help to ensure the long-term co-operation between NRW and NL in the area of spatial information.
The programme enables all potential users to have the best possible access to the information sources available within the border regions. Harmonisation activities will be implemented in the short and long term to eliminate any hurdles and obstacles to using this information. As such, this programme involves making information available generally and across borders, establishing cross-border access opportunities and aligning interpretations and possibilities for usage.
The project will affect the labour market and economic structures in the Euregios in a variety of different ways. It is expected that public authorities will be able to prepare and adopt resolutions more effectively and efficiently as a result, especially in the areas of water management, disaster relief, nature, environment and tourism, transportation and, last but not least, land planning.
One shared access point to information creates new opportunities and markets: This is true both for companies as well as the state. More than anything, it is necessary to have available and applicable standards which are closely linked to the proposed programme and are oriented to international standards (OGC, ISO, etc.).
Due to the current approach, it is necessary to perform additional and in part excessive work in many locations. The geodata will also be digitised once again, making it impossible to integrate existing data sets after the fact. As a result, avoidable additional costs of up to €150,000 could be generated for each data set.
The programme targets all (potential) providers and users of geographic information, including public and private organisations at every level (national, regional and local). This programme is designed for the private geographic information industry, which develops and offers its own products and services, as well as educational and research institutes. Fortunately, all of these target groups are clearly represented in the submitted project proposals.
We would like to stress that our target group is made up of “geo professionals” as well as “normal users”. Several of our projects also aim to bring these two groups closer together.
At this early stage of the X-border GDI programme, it is possible to recognise a variety of different benefits. A distinction can be made between
- technical benefits,
- economic benefits,
- benefits for the Euregios,
- benefits at the national and state levels,
- benefits for the European Union as well as
- benefits for its citizens and entrepreneurs.
The anticipated technical benefit lies primarily in the interoperable use of existing data and information and the establishment of an open infrastructure for geodata. This promotes the quick, innovative and efficient exchange of data, thus supplementing existing developments for cross-border marketability.
As a result, geodata will be available to users on both sides of the border. The quick and convenient direct access will make an essential contribution towards cost and time savings. Users can quickly determine which data is available in what format and quality, eliminating the need for unnecessary data entry.
The Euregios can use this program to increase their regional identity and establish cross-border best practice solutions in their respective regions. In addition, tools will be created for use in regional and national disaster prevention or management (project proposals have already been submitted, e.g. for a cross-border flood prevention project “VIKING” in the Euregio Rhein-Waal, to fight animal epidemics, etc.) or to assist public authorities in decision-making on planning projects (simplified and sound action planning through the provision of geographic and meta information).
In turn, these optimised decision-making processes have a positive impact on efforts to protect nature and the environment. They make it possible to considerably reduce the time involved in planning processes.
Another benefit for the Euregios is the consistent provision of regional and tourist information with geographic references. For example, users can calculate cross-border cycling and hiking paths in advance and view them in 3-D on their home computers (project “Grenzenloos fietsen” in the Euregio Rhein-Maas-Nord).
Partnerships and collaborations at the national and state level are being intensified as a result of this programme. Involved partners also have a stronger position in the European Community: This programme also involved the creation of a model for the establishment of a cross-border geodata infrastructure, which can be simply “exported” to the other Euregios.
In addition, the essential work of supplying and maintaining information is being performed in an innovative manner. This is helping to break down technical and economic barriers.
Citizens and entrepreneurs benefit from the increased transparency in activities performed by their municipal administrations. This programme provides them with a clear and fundamental perspective of the possibilities and benefits of cross-border e-government projects.
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