Realising spatial data infrastructure by making it usable
Cloud native spatial data infrastructure offers a practical and cost-effective way to enable a “queryable” Earth and the open science movement which is critical to tackling global problems.
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InterGEO 2023: Lidar’s moment, layout robots, and land reallocation
The annual international geomatics trade show and conference, InterGEO, draws an audience of thousands to offer them a glimpse into the latest industry developments and ideas.
Cartographic relevance sought in sustainable development may be found elsewhere
Cartographers at the International Cartographic Association's international conference have focused on sustainable development in an attempt to reassert their relevance – but it is in more novel forms of data processing and visualization they're likely to find greater professional relevance...
Could the Sustainable Development Goal Data Alliance inspire developing countries to build spatial data infrastructure?
With its focus on visually presenting the progress made in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, will the SDG Data Alliance spur developing countries to create the foundational geospatial data they require for tracking, monitoring, and reporting on SDG progress?
Guide to marketing your geospatial business
The implication of changing notions of trust and authority in spatial data
Governments are no longer the single source of authority for spatial data.
Use of commercial geospatial technology in the Ukraine war introduces new complexities
Geospatial technologies are no longer limited to governments and militaries. The Ukraine war shows the benefits and new complexities that come with the widespread adoption of commercial and civilian geotech in conflicts.
Risk map controversy holds lessons for mapmakers everywhere
How a public fire risk map upset residents and the lessons it holds for geospatial professionals on accuracy, communication, open data and building trust.
Map your vacation adventures
A selection of tools to plan, map, record and share your holiday adventures.
Creating value from cheap data and automated processing
Information economy workers face the question: how to create value for an overwhelmed audience/user/client in an inundated information ecosystem? The answer might lie in creating insight.
The geospatial industry makes digital twins its own domain
To capitalise on the digital twin trend, the WGIC's Spatial Digital Twins policy report takes spatial data as a digital twin ingredient and appropriates it as a solution for the geospatial industry.
Using open-access geospatial data to automate tailings dam management
Open geospatial data can play a big role in monitoring tailings dam monitoring. A new study goes a step further to model potential dam failures.
Geospatial data ethics catches up with other industries, stands to learn from them
Data is power, which necessitates ethics, governance and legislation to keep it in check. Luckily there are established guidelines to draw on, the latest of which has been published for the geomatics industry – but it could be improved.
How mine surveyors created self-service data for every user on one of Africa’s largest coal mines
When Thys Smith, Exxaro’s survey manager on Grootegeluk coal mine, realised that 60% of his work day comprised serving information request about geospatial data, he tasked draughtsman Beyers du Randt to start work on a digital mapping system that would allow users to access the data themselves.