Action 11601 - Community Spatial Information Network (COSIN)

How can we unlock the wealth of geographic information generated and managed by the Community Institutions?

In its original proposal for a Directive setting up an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE), the European Commission has highlighted the need to make interoperable spatial information readily available in support of both national and Community policy and to enable the public to access this information. The Commission has also clearly stated that it intends to establish INSPIRE components within the relevant Community Institutions and bodies.

The COSIN Action provides the technical and scientific expertise to support the establishment of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) components within the Community Institutions. Given the major role played by the Joint Research Centre as a producer and user of geospatial information, the initial focus of COSIN is to establish a JRC-SDI, which will play a key role in the Community Spatial Information Network. The activities will assist in the development and testing of INSPIRE technical specifications, providing benchmark information for cost-benefit analysis and facilitating geospatial information exchange between infrastructures at Member State and Community level.

The COSIN Action will work closely with the Actions of SOIL (22004) and FOREST (22003) charged with the development of European Environmental Data Centres, and will contribute to define a common architecture for all Data Centres to support the future development of the European Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS).

COSIN will undertake research into new methods and protocols for geographic data interoperability, integration and analysis and will contribute to the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative through the development of pan-European geospatial databases.

Together with the Action INSPIRE (11602), the research undertaken in this context will reinforce the JRC’s role as a recognized reference centre for geospatial information systems and science.

 

Specific objectives of the Action

• Perform a thorough review of the current status of JRC geospatial activities and assess priority requirements for development of SDI components.

• Assist JRC and other Directorates General in adopting INSPIRE principles and future Implementing Rules – increasing awareness, providing guidelines and tools and promoting interoperability of geographic data, metadata and services.

• Design and test mechanisms for geographic data replication between Community Bodies, specifically through a prototype with DG-Eurostat and the European Environment Agency.

• Contribute to the definition of a common architecture for all European Environmental Data Centres and support the development of the Data Centres for SOIL and FOREST.

• Perform research in advanced methods for feature extraction and image mosaicking.

• Contribute to the GMES Fast Track Service Land Monitoring by coordinating the Image2006 activity and producing an updated pan-European satellite image mosaic.

More information can be found on the COSIN action web site.

 

Contact info

Stephen Peedell

Tel: (+39) 0332 786153    E-mail: stephen.peedell(at)jrc.it

 

Main customers

- DG Environment

- DG Agriculture and Rural Development

- DG Eurostat

- DG Regional policy

- DG Enterprise and Industry

- European Environment Agency (EEA)

- National and Regional Territorial Authorities

 

EU Legislation and Documents supported by this Action

- Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in the Community (INSPIRE) SEC(2004) 980

- Sixth Community Environment Action Programme

 

Relevant links

INSPIRE

IMAGE 2000 & Corine Land Cover 2000 project

 

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