/ EUROPEAN COMMISSION
STATISTICAL OFFICE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Directorate E: Social and regional statistics and geographical information system
Unit E-4: Structural Funds /

Document:E/GIS/72/EN

Original:EN/avail.in EN

Meeting of the Working Party

"Geographical Information Systems for Statistics"

Joint meeting with National Statistical Offices

and National Mapping Agencies

Luxembourg, October 23-24, 2003

BechBuilding (Room "Ampère")

Beginning of the meeting: 10 a.m.

______

Minutes of the meeting

Postal address: JeanMonnetBuilding, Rue Alcide de Gasperi, L-2920 Luxembourg
Offices: JosephBechBuilding, 5 Rue Alphonse Weicker, L-2721 Luxembourg -–BECH D3/733:
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Telex: COMEUR LU 3423/3446. Telegraphic address: COMEUR Luxembourg.

Day one

  1. Adoption of the agenda (Document F/GIS/67)

The chairman Roger Cubitt welcomed the participants. It was for the first time that National Statistical Offices and and National Mapping Agencies attended both days.

The agenda was adopted as it stood.

The meeting participants were informed about the new EUROSTAT organisation. From November 2003, GISCO will belong to Unit E-4: “Structural Funds”.

Two new members have joined the GISCO Team: Hans Dufourmont (coming from the Support Centre GIS-Flanders), in charge of the INSPIRE initiative and Ana Maqueda Lafuente who temporarily replaces Anette Bjoernsson.

  1. Minutes of the previous meeting of the Working Party on Geographical Information Systems for Statistics (Document F/GIS/66)

The minutes were approved as they stood.

  1. GISCO project progress report (Document F/GIS/68)

EUROSTAT presented the latest annual activity report from the GISCO team (2002 to 2003).

During this period, GISCO contributed actively to the INSPIRE initiative. A “Memorandum of Understanding” was signed in 2002 by commissioners Solbes, Busquin, and Wallström in order to ensure the realisation of the first phase of the initiative. This memorandum is available on:

The main role of EUROSTAT in this project was to chair the RDM subgroup and the IMS subgroup on organization, to co-finance and follow-up the “State of play study” and to participate in all expert meetings.

A new system architecture has been developed. The new prototype of the GISCO reference database (based on ArcGIS and Oracle) includes administrative boundaries, CORINE Land Cover, Water patterns etc.

The main tasks carried out to develop this new prototype are as follows: conversion of spatial data and related attribute data to the geodatabase, conversion between coverages and geodatabase structures, spatial generalisation, map production, data access and download via the Commission’s Intranet and development of a data updating tool. With the new architecture data should be accessible from the Intranet. GISCO will continue to develop its new architecture in the future. A final report of the project is available on request.

During this period, more than 250 maps were produced and GISCO implemented and updated the contents of the GISCO reference database. A more extensive quality control has been carried out during 2003 and further development of the quality control procedures is expected in the future. The conversion of GISCO metadata to ISO 19115 standard (currently mandatory standard for the Commission services) has been concluded.

Work on GISCO data dissemination is ongoing; GISCO showed some applications of the Gazetteer which is accessible via Intranet inside the Commission.

As in previous years, GISCO has organised several meetings for users inside and outside the Commission such as COGI, GISCO User and Technical Committees and the annual joint NSI-NMA meeting. GISCO will also participate in the UN-ECE meeting to be held in Genevain 2004.

GISCO participates in different projects in collaboration with several Commission Directorates Generals (DG ENV, REGIO, TREN, AGRI) and with JRC and EEA.

EUROSION, GETIS, ESPON or LFA Database are some examples of this work.

Participants requested more information about the next UN-ECE meeting. The chairman pointed out that more detailed information concerning this meeting will be provided to participants via the GISCO website when available.

A question on the next steps for metadata profile development in GISCO new architecture was raised. Tools will be adapted for the implementation of the metadata profile. The development of a more comprehensive server of metadata will be carried out in 2004.

Participants inquired about the conclusions of the generalisation exercise. GISCO is not very satisfied with the results of the tests. A complete report about algorithms used for this exercice is available on request.Further investigation will be needed on this subject.

  1. Management of the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics

The participants were informed about the content and implications of the new NUTS regulation.

The NUTS Regulation concerning the European territorial breakdown went into force on the 11th July 2003. The Regulation only handles NUTS levels 1-3. The existing NUTS 4 and 5 were renamed as LAU (local administrative unit) 1 and 2. LAU are not covered by the NUTS Regulation and the list of LAU by NUTS level 3 units has to be supplied to EUROSTAT.

The aim of this regulation is to provide a regional breakdown for all statistics, to setup objective criteria for the definition of regions, to define clear rules for future amendments and to assure the stability of the classification over time.

Following the new Regulation, the NUTS classification:

  • will follow a commitology procedure
  • will be changed only every 3 years (in addition 2 years for transition period)
  • aims at reducing the disparity of region sizes
  • in case of change, historic time series have to be sent to EUROSTAT.

Countries where changes occur:

  • GermanyNUTS level 2 (only Brandenburg) and level 3 (2 mergers)
  • ItalyNUTS level 1 and level 2 (one split)
  • FinlandNUTS level 2
  • PortugalNUTS level 2
  • SpainNUTS level 2 (only Ceutaand Melilla)

The statistical regions of the new Member States will become NUTS on the first of May 2004 and an annex will be appended with a list of regions in new Member States. At the moment, there is no level 1 in the accession countries with the exception of Turkey.

The representant of Italymentioned the possible implications and consequences of this new regulation in Italy. The chairman pointed out that a specific meeting concerning managements details relating new NUTS regulation will take place the 3rd, 4th and 5th December 2003.

The main consequences of the new NUTS regulation in the GISCO database are:

  • Trailing zeroes in the coding

  • Freezing of codes during three years

There are new developments planned at GISCO concerning administrative boundaries:

  • NUTS 2003: delineation and coding of statistical regions according to the new regulation.
  • CENSUS 2001: delineation and coding of communes at census date. This process will combine geometry and national census data.

GISCO performed a pilot test using SABE 2001 v.0. in order to integrate geographical data coming from NMAs and statistical data coming from NSIs.

Main issues found were:

  1. Differences between NSIs and NMAs communes codes
  • Different structure (which it is not a problem if there is documented)
  • Different coding system
  • Different reference date
  1. Different criteria concerning land-water boundaries
  • Sea boundaries: there are different criteria concerning the inclusion of river mouths and definition of coastline.
  • Inland water bodies: they make no part of the NUTS and consequently should be excluded when calculating the area of the NUTS region.

The conclusion is that EUROSTAT needs to develop a sound Pan-European Census and Statistical Region (NUTS) coverage by:

  • Co-ordination of communes coding systems among national partners
  • Availability of geometry referenced to given key dates
  • Common criteria for the inclusion of water bodies
  • Definition of coastline, mainly in countries with a strong high-low tidal difference.

The representative of Ireland described the main issues concerning these differences in his country

EuroGeographics asked how GISCO will maintain the administrative datasets in the future. In this issue, GISCO will deal with two totally different geographical coverages: CENSUS and NUTS.

Some participants stressed the possibility of having the results from each country with differences between different datasets. Eurostat consider that maybe in the future it will be possible to make a general feedback on how data arrive and what could be done to improve the situation to reduce differences.

  1. DG INFSO presentation

The DG Information Society gave a presentation of the following activities:

  1. eContent programme
  2. PSI (Public Sector Information Directive)
  3. The R&D Framework Programme

The time schedule for the eContent programme:

  • Period covered: 2001- 2005
  • Total budget: 100 million Euro
  • December 2003: 3rd call for proposals
  • December 2004: 4rd call for proposals
  • eContent programme is in preparation

The time schedule for the PSI Directive is as follows:

  • Commission Proposal adopted on 5 June 2002
  • Co-decision procedure
  • Adoption by the Council on 27 October 2003
  • 18 months for transposition

The 6th Framework Programme will provide key opportunities to shape and improve the impact of IST research in Europe. Procedures will be simplified and faster reactivity is expected. Integrated projects and networks of excellence were considered one of the main instruments to reach the objectives of the programme.

The planning will be as follows:

For further information please contact the following web addresses:

  • PSI
  • eContent
  • FP6

Some comments were made about the future and possibilities for Geographical Information related projects in the context of the 6th Framework Programme. Many opportunities will be opened for this sector in the future.

Presentation of EuroGeographics projects

EuroGeographics reported on the new EuroGeographics strategy and working plan approved during its General Assembly (Istanbul, October 2003). Two new members: Malta and Kosovo have joined the organisation. Dietmar Grünreich has been elected as new president.

The new EuroGeographics vision intends to achieve interoperability of European mapping and other GI within 10 years. EuroGeographics presented its different projects, products and activities: EuroSpecs, SABE, EuroGlobalMap, EuroRegionalMap, EuroRoads, and EuroMapFinder.

EuroGeographics intends also to harmonise pricing and licensing policies of its products and participates in the Expert Group Geodesy & EUREF to establish common European Standards.

More information can be found on:

EuroGlobalMap

EuroGlobalMap is a digital topographic dataset that covers Europe at the scale 1:1 million. Data providers are the National Mapping Agencies. The co-ordination of the project is funded by the eContent programme until the end of March 2004.

Data content includes administrative boundaries, hydrography, transportation networks, settlements, elevation and named locations. Each feature contains several layers.

The first release of this product was available in July 2003. It covers 30 countries and data came from 25 National Mapping Agencies. The second release is foreseen for January 2004 and 7 more countries will be included.

For further information:

EuroRegionalMap

EuroGeographics presented the EuroRegionalMap project which intends to implement a pan-European high quality spatial dataset at medium scale (1/250000) that could be used as base data for multifunctional purposes combining spatial analysis as well as geographic backdrop for presentation and visualisation.

This implementation will be carried out by harmonising the existing national databases of the mapping agencies in Europe according to the EuroRegionalMap standard.

The project is now focussing on the organisation of the extension phase (starting in 2004). The goal is firstly to cover 29 countries in 2006 and secondly to cover the whole Europe in 2009. A lot of technical, commercial and financial issues are still to be resolved.

For further information, check this link:

  1. Presentation of EUROGI projects

EUROGI (The European Umbrella Organisation for Geographic Information) was founded as independent non-governmental organisation in 1993 on initiative of EC. Its current president is Jean Poulit who has been elected this year in the Annual Meeting.

EUROGI’s mission is to:

  • Maximise the effective use of geographic information
  • Represent the views of geographic information community
  • Promote, stimulate, encourage and support the development and use of geographic information and technology

The new EUROGI strategy consists of promoting Core Spatial Data Infrastructure and Added value Applications at European level. The main objective is to harmonise initiatives, co-operate with all GI actors in Europe and exercise high level lobbying for GI.

EUROGI co-operates with several organisations as PEAF or GSDI and organised the GSDI-6 Conference (Budapest, September 2002). GSDI-7 will take place in Bangalore, India in February 2004. To obtain further information:

EUROGI presented also the update on GINIE initiative. Its objective was to develop a cohesive Geographic Information Strategy at European level.

  • Results of the ABGI (Advisory Board on Geographic Information) Analysis and Consultation process were presented.
  • Six workshops were completed since 2002. Presentations and documents are available on the GINIE web site:
  • Final GINIE conference will take place 13 & 14 November 2003 in Brussels, the theme is: “GI to support and informated society in wider Europe”.
  • GINIE contributed to an improved understanding of the European GI community through several reports and also compared Europe with other regions by producing comparative analysis.

The new GINIE vision intends that GI become a fully integrated component of the European knowledge-based society.

The European GI Strategy (EGIS) was presented as well. Its aim is to maximise the availability and effective use of GI in Europe for good governance, economic and social development, and informed public participation.

In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to identify and agree specific measures and a strategic consortia (EGIS Network) should be established by the GI Communities.

9.Cooperation NMA/NSI

Denmark: “The Danish cooperation between NSI and NMA”

Denmark focused its presentation on the co-operation between the National Cadastre and Survey (KMS) and Statistics Denmark (DST). This partnership is based on values such as co-ordination, standardisation and mainly on practical value to the society.

The Grid net project is a concrete example of this co-operation. The objective is to establish a Danish national grid hierarchy.

A previous pilot project has been carried out. Resulting from those analyses, the National Square Grid was established in October 2002 with concepts and results building a square grid for statistics, analysis and marketing. It was decided to continue the project and initiate a national Grid service.

National Cadastre and Survey is in charge of the construction of the grid system providing technical guidance and support. Formal and technical documentation is accessible on its website:

The role of Statistics Denmark is to give the access to statistical data and to be data distributor and data provider. Grid data and practical documentation are available on the following website:

Other partners coming from the public sector (focused on development and research) and from privates companies (focused on development and sale) are also part of the project.

For further information:

The future steps in this co-operation are:

  • to develop the product further.
  • to develop a common Nordic operational grid data web site.
  • to explore the possibilities to move from National Square Grid to a European Standard.
  • to consider that market is waiting for international grid solutions.

A question arose concerning the criteria used to choose the size of the grid squares.

Criteria are based on the experience of other Nordic countries. It was decided to work with a minimum size of 100x100 metres / 250x250 metres /1x1 km (biggest size). In general, the favourite size of the users is the small size grid (100X100 metres) and consequently work will be focussed in this size.

The Swedish representative pointed out that this was a concrete example of spatial analysis.

United Kingdom: “Geographic referencing Framework for statistics”

The UK presented the development of a vision for the future ‘Geographic Referencing Framework for Statistics’ resulting from a cooperation between the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain.

This co-operation will provide a coherent and co-ordinated approach to geography across National Statistics within UK.The objective is to improve the quality of a range of National Statistics and provide real flexibility in outputs to gain maximum leverage from spatial referencing, modelling and analysis of data (retaining confidentiality).

A Geographical Referencing Infrastructure (GRI) is being developed by ONS to provide National Statistics with systems to support the establishment of the Geographic Referencing Framework. At the core of GRI there will be a repository of date-stamped geographic information that have been validated and linked such as addresses, postcodes, digital boundaries etc..

Together with this, Ordnance Survey mapping framework will provide the geographic base for all collection and analysis of Government statistical information. The core product is the OS Master Map, which includes integrated layers of Topography, Address Information, Imagery and Integrated Transport Networks.

For more information please visit the following websites:

•Office for National Statistics:

•Ordnance Survey of Great Britain:

•Neighbourhood Statistics:

France: “French policies related to geographic information: issues and lessons”

France presented the major GI policies requirementsthat are:

  1. to create the “geo-referenced building register” to support continuous census and many other needs (such as municipalities administration, utilities management, emergency services etc.).

The first stage of the project started in 2003 and the second stage is foreseen by 2006 with the georeferencing of address information database.

  1. to dematerialise the Cadastre: this project will be made in partnerships with local governments and their partners and cadastral maps will be scanned.

In 2005 an on line sheet by sheet cadastre is foreseen.