Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)

Rwanda has recently started implementing a Spatial Data In- frastructure (SDI) initiative. Box 3 describes SDI in more detail.

The SDI initiative was launched in October 2006 and is cur- rently being spearheaded by the National University of Rwanda Centre for GIS and Remote Sensing (CGIS-NUR). The initia- tive is driven by the fact that even where data is available, in- formation cannot be cross-referenced or combined because the data does not use common references for geographical or administrative areas. Addressing these issues has necessitated the adoption of an SDI for Rwanda. The development and man- agement of metadata is a cornerstone of this SDI. According to CGIS-NUR (2009), developing such an SDI including meta- data will: •

unlock the potential hidden in data and stimulate econom- ic activity,

• •

• • • reduce duplication of effort among agencies,

make geographic data more accessible to the public by en- couraging the use of standards,

improve quality and reduce costs related to geographic in- formation,

facilitate value-added services by enabling combination of data from multiple sources, and

increase the benefits of using disaggregated data, and es- tablish key partnership with states, cities, academia and the private sector to increase data availability.

The SDI initiative is a partnership between the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Association (GSDI), the Rwanda Develop- ment Gateway Group and the CGIS-NUR. The initial focus was on spatial data inventory and metadata management for the spatial data holdings at the CGIS. An inventory of existing spatial datasets was conducted and the current state of their metadata was assessed with the aim of improving it. The meta- data search facility developed is the Rwanda Metadata Portal.

Currently, the CGIS-NUR is in the process of developing a spa- tial data sharing policy document.

Box 3: What is Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)?

A spatial data infrastructure (SDI) is a framework of spa- tial data, metadata, users and tools that are interactively connected in order to use spatial data in an efficient and flexible way. Another definition is the technology, policies, standards, human resources and related activities neces- sary to acquire, process, distribute, use, maintain and pre- serve spatial data. Some of the main principles are that data and metadata should not be managed centrally, but by the data originator or owner. Tools and services connect via computer networks to the various sources. A GIS is of- ten the platform for deploying an individual node within an SDI. Good coordination between all actors is necessary as is the definition of standards.

Due to its nature (size, cost and number of interactors), an SDI is usually driven by government. Examples include the United Nations (http://www.ungiwg.org/documents.htm), the United States (http://www.fgdc.gov/nsdi/nsdi.html) and Kenyan SDI initiative http://www.knsdi.go.ke/

Source: Ryttersgaard 2001 Capacity building

The assessment looked at the available skills and equipment that exists, and based on this, highlighted areas where the respondents felt more capacity was required.

Human resources

The levels and numbers of employees vary greatly from one organisation to the next. When staffing levels are low, tasks considered mundane such as data collection, checking and archiving tend to get relegated. High staff mobility can also result in reduced focus. In some cases, new staff with no his- torical institutional knowledge and understanding have re- engaged in activities or ignored data unknowingly leading to wastage of resources including repetition of data collection.

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