the national geodata strategy

Sweden is building an infrastructure for geodata

Copyright Lantmteriet
Fr ytterligare information: geodatasekretariatet@lm.se
Datum: 2012-09-13
Totalt antal sidor: 16
LM-rapport 2012/7
ISSN 0280-5731

The National Geodata Strategy

Sweden is building an infrastructure for geodata

the national geodata strategy

Foreword

The National Geodata Strategy is the plan that describes how we will work together to create an eective
geodata infrastructure in Sweden. This is the fourth
edition of the National Geodata Strategy, and replaces
previous strategies.
The National Geodata Strategy presents our joint
goals and strategies, which show what we will work with
in order to achieve these goals. To implement these
goals and strategies, we draw up action plans containing
activities and measurable targets. All the organisations
involved should draw up action plans containing activities and measurable targets for the next few years.
For example, Lantmteriet as coordinator for the
infrastructure for geodata is drawing up an action plan
for coordination, the Geodata Council is drawing up an
action plan for the work of the council, and Lantmteriet as an organisation responsible for information is
drawing up an action plan for reaching the joint goals in
the geodata strategy.
Lantmteriet has been tasked by the Swedish
Government with coordinating the eld of geodata.
This involves Lantmteriet developing and administering
the national infrastructure for geodata together with
municipalities, county administrative boards, other

authorities and organisations. The Geodata Council

supports Lantmteriet in its coordinating role.
Lantmteriet and the Geodata Council have drawn
up the National Geodata Strategy in consultation with
organisations responsible for information and other
relevant organisations.
September 2012
The Geodata Council, with members from:
The Swedish Armed Forces
Lantmteriet
County Administrative Board of Gvleborg
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
The City of Stockholm
The Swedish Maritime Administration
Statistics Sweden
The Geological Survey of Sweden
The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and
Regions
The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute
The Swedish Transport Administration
The Swedish Research Council

Bengt Kjellson, Chairman of the Geodata Council

Director General of Lantmteriet

Contents

A well-known, effective infrastructure brings opportunities

Access to geodata is a goldmine for society

Cooperation creates the right conditions for better access to geodata

The parties building the infrastructure

Lantmteriet is responsible for coordination

As simple as possible for as many as possible

Our vision for the year 2020
Our goals show what we shall achieve

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8
8

The benefits of the infrastructure are known

What we are doing to achieve goal 1

9
9

Information provision is supported by appropriate regulations

What we are doing to achieve goal 2

10
10

Terms and conditions and fees for using geodata are simple and uniform
What we are doing to achieve goal 3

11
11

Geodata and services are described in a clear and user-friendly manner

What we are doing to achieve goal 4

12
12

Geodata can be combined

What we are doing to achieve goal 5

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Tjnster r tillgngliga och tillgodoser behoven

Vad gr vi fr att n ml 6

14
14

There is good knowledge for using geodata, building up

and managing the infrastructure
What we are doing to achieve goal 7

15
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the national geodata strategy

Sweden is building an infrastructure for geodata

The National Geodata Strategy

Bit by bit, we are working together to build a national infrastructure for geodata. This involves many
dierent authorities and organisations, and even more will be involved in future. This infrastructure
will make it as simple as possible for as many as possible to nd and use geodata.

A well-known, eective infrastructure brings

opportunities
Geodata is what we call information with a geographical position. Geodata is part of our everyday lives,
and inuences many of our decisions and opportunities.
We use geodata on a daily basis, for example when
searching for information about the weather, when
looking for places to visit at the weekend, and when we
use a map to get somewhere. We also use geodata when
buying a house, for example. We may need information
about the property, local radon measurements, nearby
services, schools and nature areas, and the municipalitys
plans for the area. Authorities, municipalities and county
councils also use geodata in their activities. For example,
this could involve decisions on building permits, detailed
plans or changes to property boundaries, or planning
social services such as healthcare or schools.
Access to the right geodata at the right time can be
a matter of life or death, such as when an ambulance
needs to arrive in time to save someone. By analysing
geodata, authorities can assess the consequences of
accidents or crises before, during and after an incident.

In this way, they can prevent or minimise loss of life and

damage to property and the environment.
When we as authorities and other producers
coordinate and adapt our geodata, we should make it as
easy and accessible as possible for those who want to
use geodata. We thereby make things easier for users,
enabling them to make better use of the benets of geodata. One requirement for this is a well-known, eective
infrastructure for geodata.
Access to geodata is a goldmine for society
Simple access to geodata contributes towards the
sustainable development of society. Making the most of
geodata helps to create a good living environment. We
can facilitate economic growth and housing construction. We can also contribute towards making savings
when it comes to natural resources and energy in the
long term. We have only started to scratch the surface
of the many benefits that using geodata can provide.

the national geodata strategy

The infrastructure for geodata consists an established cooperation between organizations, good knowledge, a portal that provides
the ability to search and watch geodata and services, appropriate regulations governing the provision of information, metadata
describes the content, availability, quality and standards that create a common way of working..

Cooperation creates the right conditions for

better access to geodata
If everyone who uses or produces geodata works
together, it makes it easier to identify and understand
how we can use and combine geodata. We need to
work together on how to gather and present information, how to communicate our geodata, and the
conditions that apply for using geodata. What we call
an infrastructure for geodata involves a common way of
organising, building up and managing geodata, as well as
making it available and facilitating its use.
Lantmteriet and the Geodata Council, in consultation with organisations responsible for information, and
other relevant organisations, have drawn up the National Geodata Strategy. The National Geodata Strategy
is the plan that describes how we will create an eective
infrastructure for geodata in Sweden. This infrastructure
involves an eective exchange of information between
all those who produce and use geodata. Building up
the infrastructure concerns all producers and users of
geodata. The national infrastructure is also part of the
European infrastructure for geodata, via the EUs Inspire
directive.

The parties building the infrastructure

The target groups for the National Geodata Strategy
are those of us who are working together to build the

infrastructure for geodata: the Geodata Council, organisations responsible for information, and other parties
participating in the infrastructure.
The Geodata Council consists of a number of authorities and organisations who provide advice on issues
relating to Lantmteriets coordinating role for geodata.
The organisations responsible for information are
those organisations that, in accordance with the Act and
Ordinance concerning geographic environment information, are obliged to make their geodata available.
Other parties who publish information in the
Geodata Portal participate in the infrastructure. The
Geodata Portal is the infrastructures common point
of access for geodata and service. The portal enables
users to search for, find and view geodata from various
sources.
Lantmteriet is responsible for coordination
Lantmteriet is the driving force when it comes to
prioritising, initiating and leading the work involved
in building up and managing the infrastructure. This
includes providing advice and support for organisations
responsible for information, developing the Geodata
Portal and managing the data sharing model. Lantmteriet is supported by the Geodata Council. The council is
appointed by the Swedish Government.

the national geodata strategy

As simple as possible for as many as possible

With the motto as simple as possible for as many
as possible, the Government aims to make societys
combined information accessible. The Government is
striving to develop Sweden into a leading country when
it comes to business development in the public sector
with the support of IT, in other words e-government.
Building the infrastructure to make using geodata more
eective is fully in line with this ambition.
An eective infrastructure is an important part of
Swedish e-government. The infrastructure for geodata
creates the right conditions for more eective administration of society and new e-services that will result in
better service for citizens, businesses and authorities.

Our seven goals show what we shall achieve

The benets of the infrastructure for geodata

are known
Information provision is supported by
appropriate regulations

Terms and conditions and fees for using geo

data are simple and uniform

Geodata and services are described in a clear

and user-friendly manner

Geodata can be combined

Our vision for the year 2020 is:
As simple as possible for as many as possible to
nd, understand and use geodata.
Services are accessible and meet needs
In order for this to happen, we must:

make the infrastructure known through clear

and coordinated communication.
Our strength is highly developed cooperation
and broad participation from many
stakeholders.

develop essential parts of the

infrastructure by working towards our
common goals.

There is good knowledge for using geodata,

building up and managing the infrastructure
for geodata

the national geodata strategy

Goal 1
The benets of the infrastructure for
geodata are known
Users and producers of geodata are well aware of the benets of the infrastructure in terms of quickly obtaining correct, usable information. Knowledge of these benets provides increased understanding and motivation to nd out
about the opportunities geodata brings, contributing towards the continued development of the infrastructure.

What we are doing to achieve goal 1:

Organisations responsible for information
and other parties who participate in the
infrastructure identify and describe
the benets of the infrastructure and
communicate good examples.
We describe and communicate good examples
of benets. By identifying benets, we also indicate
possible areas for the continued development of the
infrastructure for geodata. This makes it possible to
more clearly understand and put forward current and
future needs for the infrastructure.
The benets are presented and communicated via
channels such as newsletters, the internet, seminars,
conferences and meetings.

Organisations responsible for information

and other parties who participate in the
infrastructure convey experiences and
thereby increase knowledge about
geodata and its elds of application.
We gather and convey experiences to each other and
other players who use geodata in their activities. We
communicate experiences via channels such as newsletters, the internet, seminars, conferences and meetings.

the national geodata strategy

Goal 2

Information provision is supported by

appropriate regulations
Information provision is supported by appropriate regulations with clear and simple rules of law. These regulations
are adapted for modern e-government. This provides the right conditions for being able to provide, use or otherwise
process geodata from various sources in an eective manner. The regulations are based on a balance between the
need to protect key societal interests such as integrity, condentiality and safety, and users needs for easy access to
geodata. The information is processed in a legally secure manner.

What we are doing to achieve goal 2

Organisations responsible for information and
other parties who participate in the infrastructure work to ensure that there are
coordinated rules of law for cooperation
in the case of cross-organisation information
provision.
Lantmteriet as geodata coordinator, together with
organisations responsible for information, contributes
towards the work of the e-delegation to map legal
obstacles to the development of e-government. We
investigate which coordinated rules of law we need for
cooperation on geodata. We work to ensure that the
rules for cooperation are clear and easy to both apply
and understand.

Organisations responsible for information and

other parties who participate in the infrastructure work to ensure that there are legal
conditions for eective information
provision, which should be in a accordance
with good protection of integrity.
Lantmteriet, as geodata coordinator, contributes
towards the work of the information management
committee by reviewing register statutes, for example
by submitting documentation. Register statutes give the
right conditions for coordinated, uniform regulations
that promote the development of e-government and
reduce the risks of unacceptable infringements of personal integrity. Eective information provision requires
coordinated, uniform and clear register statutes.

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the national geodata strategy

Goal 3
Terms and conditions and fees for using
geodata are simple and uniform
We have simple and uniform terms and conditions and fees for geodata that contribute towards broad and extensive use. Users of geodata can easily discover the terms and conditions and fees that apply in a simple manner. The
terms and conditions and fees for use are relevant, non-discriminatory and clearly described. Digital licence management gives the user quick and easy access to geodata.

What we are doing to achieve goal 3

Organisations responsible for information
and other parties who participate in the
infrastructure ensure that terms and con
ditions and fees for using geodata are
uniform, simple, relevant and nondiscriminatory.
We are actively involved in the work to draw up uniform
terms and conditions and fees that make it, easier to use
geodata. In dialogue with relevant producers and users,
we work to produce uniform terms and conditions that
are non-discriminatory for comparable categories of
users. Together, we act to increase the use of uniform
licence terms and conditions for all types of use.

Organisations responsible for information

and other parties who participate in the infrastructure create the right conditions for
digital licence management of geodata.
We use modern technical solutions to make things easier
for users of geodata. Through technical solutions we can
renew and simplify licence management. One initial step
for digital licence management for geodata is to make
the terms and conditions available digitally. Another
step is to create the right conditions for approving terms
and conditions for use directly online.

Organisations responsible for information and

other parties who participate in the infrastruc
ture are working for increased use of
open licences.
In dialogue with the organisations responsible for information, Lantmteriet, as geodata coordinator, is working
for increased use of open licences. Open licences
mean that users have the right to use geodata in their
operations, and to process this and make it available to
third parties. The terms and conditions for these licences
will give users excellent opportunities to process and
disseminate geodata, for both commercial and noncommercial purposes.

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the national geodata strategy

Goal 4

Geodata and services are described in a

clear and user-friendly manner
Geodata and services are described in a clear, uniform and user-friendly manner, in what we call metadata. Metadata
describes, for example, the topicality, content, and where geodata and services are and how they can be accessed.
These descriptions are included in a joint list, a metadata catalogue. Metadata makes it possible to search for and
nd geodata and services.

What we are doing to achieve goal 4

Organisations responsible for information
and other parties who participate in the
infrastructure describe Swedens public
geodata and services in a clear, uniform
and user-friendly manner in metadata
in accordance with a common standard, the
national metadata prole.
We take the national metadata prole as our starting
point when describing geodata and services. We
monitor developments within the EU Inspire directive
and nationally to meet the demands for metadata
description. We are actively involved in the work to
develop and update the metadata prole and to provide
support for users in order to be able to describe and
publish geodata and services. We are involved in the
development of user-adapted tools, good documentation and support. We are working actively to obtain a
common view on the need for quality and topicality, for
example. We participate actively in seminars, workshops
and webinars, both to spread knowledge and to hear
important user questions.

Organisations responsible for information and

other parties who participate in the infrastruc
ture make metadata accessible and
searchable on the internet via the metadata
catalogue in the national Geodata Portal.
We make our metadata accessible and searchable for
users via the Geodata Portal. The portal is the hub for
making descriptions of geodata available and thereby
facilitating broad use of geodata. It is important that
users of the portal experience the tools as providing support in searching for geodata.
We shall follow and be well placed in developments
within the eld of geodata. We are developing support
for the Geodata Portal to work on dierent platforms,
such as tables and smart phones, as well as future new
platforms.
We are developing tools for quality assurance and
reporting, and are working together with other portals
and organisations in connection with metadata.
There is a need for metadata in other languages,
particularly English. In order to meet this need, we are
developing general multilingual metadata management
support.

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the national geodata strategy

Goal 5

Geodata can be combined

We can combine geodata to present, read and analyse geodata together. In other words, geodata can be placed on
top of other geodata and still be readable. We can combine data from dierent sources without any specic adaptation.

What we are doing to achieve goal 5

Organisations responsible for information and
other parties who participate in the
infrastructure develop and use relevant
standards and guidelines.
We use relevant standards drawn up by bodies such as
the Swedish Standards Institute (SSI), the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Open
Geospatial Consortium (OGC). The operational area
controls which standards and guidelines apply. We
participate in and support the work involved in drawing
up standards and guidelines. We participate in forums,
training and workshops on interpretation and application issues, and assist on implementation by sharing
experiences. Participation takes place at dierent levels,
from overall decision-making groups to expert knowledge within various areas.

Organisations responsible for information and

other parties who participate in the infrastruc
ture make standards and regulations
known.
We disseminate information and knowledge about
existing and forthcoming standards and guidelines that
we should use. We cooperate and communicate experiences across organisations.

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the national geodata strategy

Goal 6

Services are accessible and meet needs

Users and producers of geodata communicate with each other via online services. Dierent services can be combined in order to present and read geodata together. In other words, geodata can be placed on top of other geodata
and still be readable. These services make it easier and more eective to access geodata. Using services makes things
easier operationally, for example by simplifying access to up-to-date data and minimising double storage.

What we are doing to achieve goal 6

Organisations responsible for information
and other parties who participate in the
infrastructure ensure that the services
meet the needs of dierent users, for
example in terms of content, degree of rene
ment and functionality.
We work together with other players within society and
create services that can be combined and used together
with other services. We base the content and functionality on users needs, taking into account the authorities
assignment of delivering data and the role of the market
as a rener.

Organisations responsible for information

and other parties who participate in the
infrastructure ensure that the requested
geodata is available via view services and
download services, for example.
We actively follow developments within the eld and
capture societys need for geodata via services in various
national and international forums. We work actively
to make as much geodata available as possible, using
services that follow current standards. These services in
turn create opportunities for reners to develop services
that are adapted to suit needs.

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the national geodata strategy

Goal 7
There is good knowledge for using, building up and managing the infrastructure
for geodata
We have good knowledge that meets our needs in terms of developing and making use of the infrastructures
various components in the optimal manner, and have ensured future knowledge provision by establishing education,
research and development initiatives.
What we are doing to achieve goal 7
Organisations responsible for information
and other parties who participate in the
infrastructure create the right conditions
for increased and more needs-oriented
research and development within the eld
of geodata.
We cooperate in connection with research questions
and exchanging experiences, and work to ensure longterm knowledge provision within the eld of geodata.
Representatives from universities and university colleges,
research institutes and the public and private sectors are
working together to create a national R&D programme
within the eld of geodata. This programme shall, among
other things, secure funding and ensure that a research
council is tasked with supporting research within the
eld.
Organisations responsible for information and
other parties who participate in the infrastruc
ture work to meet the training needs
of various players within the infrastructure
for geodata.
We investigate, analyse and communicate the need for
training among both public and private players. This
training shall meet the need for theoretical and technical
needs among those working within the infrastructure for
geodata.

Organisations responsible for information and

other parties who participate in the infrastructure work to ensure that issues relating
to the infrastructure for geodata are
integrated more clearly into basic
programmes at Swedish universities and
university colleges.
We communicate the need for education within
those subject areas that relate to the infrastructure
for geodata. This takes place, for example, through us
encouraging and informing teaching sta to deal with
these issues, gathering and submitting ideas for degree
projects and participating actively in developing course
literature.

Organisations responsible for informa

tion and other parties who participate in
the infrastructure provide information
about, and create the right conditions
for, using geodata within compulsory
and upper secondary schools.
We generate an interest in and encourage the use of
geodata in teaching at compulsory and upper secondary
schools. Data sharing creates the ideal conditions for
municipalities to use geodata in teaching. We inform
municipalities and municipal schools about the opportunities for using geodata in teaching.

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Sweden is building an infrastructure

for geodata to make it as simple
as possible for as many as possible
to find and use geodata.
Geodata is all information with a geographical
position. Good access to geodata is essential
for sustainable social development.
With greater access to geodata, many social
functions can be made more effective
and improved.
An effective infrastructure for geodata is an
important part of Swedish e-government.
This infrastructure for geodata creates
the right conditions for more effective social
administration

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