Inventory Geodata

In which way do scientific researchers make use of geodata? Which geodata do researchers need to perform even better research? What do researchers produce in terms of geodata? To what degree do researchers exchange geodata? This is a selection of the questions that were addressed in the project 'Inventory Geodata'.

Geodata or geo-information is an abbreviated name for geographic data files or information with a spatial component, a reference to a location on earth. It concerns for example information regarding an area, a parcel, a railroad or a city.
Geodata are generally presented on a map. In a geographic information system (GIS), digital map layers can be combined with each other and with spatial object such as soil use, population numbers, property and transport data. Geodata are of great importance for research and policy.
In the Netherlands, there are numerous producers, providers and users of geographic data files: government services, companies and scientific researchers. But the offer is not transparent and access to geodata is often cumbersome to scientific researchers.
The inventory Quickscan Geodata and Social Geography is among other things intended as preparation for a DANS study afternoon for producers and users of geodata, with as final objective improvements to the access to geodata for science.

Overview of the Suppliers of Geodata (Dutch)

The results of the project were presented during the study afternoon Geodata op de kaart gezet - toegang tot geodata voor wetenschappelijk onderzoek on Friday 20 June 2008.

Project manager DANS
Dr. Rene van Horik T 06 232 973 89 E rene.van.horik at dans.knaw.nl

Project employee
Niels van der Vaart, Universiteit Utrecht, Fac. Geowetenschappen

The inventory was carried out in the summer of 2007.