Spatial Data Infrastructure
Definition
A spatial data infrastructure (SDI) is the framework of policies, standards, people, and technologies that enables discovery, access, sharing, and use of geospatial data. Core components include metadata catalogs, web services, common schemas, identity and access management, and governance. An SDI turns isolated datasets into an ecosystem that supports repeatable, interoperable mapping and analysis.
Application
National SDIs power open data portals and cross‑agency projects. Cities use enterprise SDIs to serve maps and APIs to departments and the public. Private companies run SDIs to coordinate assets, field data collection, and analytics across business units.
FAQ
What makes a catalog actually useful rather than a dumping ground?
High‑quality metadata with keywords, spatial/temporal extents, lineage, previews, and usage examples; deprecation notices for stale layers; and clear licensing.
Which service types belong in a modern SDI stack?
OGC APIs for features and coverages, vector/raster tile services, and batch download endpoints; authentication that supports both humans and automation.
How should governance handle conflicting authoritative sources?
Define data domains and custodianship, establish change control boards, and publish resolution processes so users know which source to trust for each theme.
What KPIs show SDI health?
Uptime, query latency, dataset freshness, adoption across teams, and resolved data issues per month indicate whether the SDI is delivering value.