Introduction

In this chapter we aim to explain the concepts of Geoportal, its role in In this chapter, we aim to explain the concepts of Geoportal, its role in Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), and the overall working of Gambia EbA Geoportal.

Basic Concept of Geoportals

Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)

Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) is a set of guidelines regarding the acquisition, storage, visualization, and dissemination of spatial data. The standard definition of SDI is that it is “the technology, policies, standards, human resources, and related activities necessary to acquire, process, distribute, use, maintain, and preserve spatial data”. The technology, policies, standards, human resources (sometimes also called stakeholders) and activities work together (as shown in the image below) to give shape to SDI.

  • Policies

Policies include the identification of organizations that will collect spatial data. Types of data collection (like hydrological, demographic, etc.), who will be the owner and who will have access to spatial data, and at what level are also part of policies. Policies also include information regarding updating spatial data.

  • Standards

Standards (regarding data) include Coordinate Reference System (CRS) which will be used to collect spatial data at the source and for distribution, metadata and types of final outputs that will be distributed.

Gis Components

More details regarding SDI can be found at the “United Nation Geographic Information Work Group (UNGIWG)” website http://www.ungiwg.org.