Future directions of administrative boundary design in support of Spatial Data Infrastructures

Abstract

Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) comprise a set of policies aimed at coordinating the numerous layers of spatial information upon which society functions. To achieve this objective effectively an SDI must encompass policies, standards, and procedures for organisations to cooperatively produce and share geographic data. One of the most fundamental problems restricting the objectives of SDI is the fragmentation of data between different agency boundaries. Essentially this problem stems from the differing criteria and methods adopted by agencies designing individual boundary units. This current lack of coordination and unstructured methodologies for subdividing space has lead to difficulties in integrating, analysing and exchanging information across boundaries and through time. To further the objectives of SDIs in providing mechanisms for data integration, methods by which agencies may derive administrative boundaries using a common framework, which still meet their own individual requirements are being investigated. Through the development algorithms and standards for the design of administrative boundaries within a spatial hierarchy it is envisaged that SDI will incorporate data integration and cross analysis to its range of existing functions.