Event Summary
Description
Session Abstract
The Open Geospatial Web: Open Source Software and Open Data
Posted by Chris Holmes on May 28, 2010
Modeling the risk of disasters depends heavily on having great data to feed models. Traditionally gathering this data has been a top down affair, conducted by the concerned agency employing traditional geospatial data experts. But as the web turns increasingly social, collaborative, and transparent, new methods of creating, publishing, maintaining and sharing spatial data are emerging – and much of this innovation is driven by an “open” approach to geospatial information.
This emerging “Open Geospatial Web” is learning from other collaborative initiatives, like open source software and Wikipedia, while tackling a variety of unique problems. The OpenStreetMap initiative is the most successful open mapping initiative, and its lessons are easily applied to other types of data.
What can we expect from the emerging Open Geospatial Web and should your risk assessment program participate in it?
Join us for this panel, moderated by leading experts in open data and open source geospatial software, as we explore the implications of this more cooperative way to share, use and build geospatial information – how it can support risk assessment programs now, its potential for use in the future, and how to participate in building it. Also examined will be how this new web is possible because of open source software, and existing tools you can use to join the Open Geospatial Web.
Our panel of global GIS professionals will share their insights and experience using open-source solutions in diverse real-world applications: disaster risk modeling, Haiti’s crisis response, earthquake risk assessment, and national Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) development. We will also discuss future innovations on the horizon, including open-source SDI platforms that incorporate through-the-web GIS functionality and Web 2.0 collaborative features.
The format will pose several rounds of thematic questions, answered in turn by the panelists in 5-10 minute segments, with leftover time for interactive Q&A from the audience.
Questions for discussion include:
ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES
- What are the organizational challenges in using open data?
- How can open data be incorporated into risk applications?
- How does open source support crowdsourcing methods, disaster management, and general development?
TECHNICAL ISSUES
- What are the technical challenges and opportunities raised by using open data?
- What open source tools are available for mapping geospatial data on the web?
LEGAL ISSUES
- How can we encourage scientists and others to share data freely while at the same time respecting intellectual property rights by an adequate license?
- What are the legal implications and ideal licensing schemes for open geospatial data?