By Azlim Khan Abdul Raof Khan
Abstract:
In the era of information, the demand for spatial data is growing to manage the complex environment in the world. Spatial data are needed for effective decision making. A spatial data cannot be used for effective decision making if they are disparted; therefore there is a need to integrate spatial data from multiple sources. Integrating spatial data from multiple sources is not something that can easily be done. It requires knowledge, financial support, standardization, positive attitude towards data sharing, computer system, direct access etc. At the same time, there are few other issues that may hinder spatial data integration such as copyright, licensing, data pricing, heterogeneity in computer system etc. Despite all the problems, data integration is needed because many services and applications rely on integrated spatial data. Until today there is no framework to address spatial data integration issues. Therefore, in order to address the multi-sourced spatial data integration issues, a framework is being developed. In this respect, the availability of SDI in a country can be seen as a platform to integrate spatial data across the boundaries. SDI components are the key to the development of multi-sourced spatial data integration framework. This framework is being tested by means of questionnaire in two selected countries: Malaysia and the Netherlands. The results from the questionnaire are used to validate and finalize the multi-sourced spatial data integration framework. This research presented a finalized framework that consists of arrangement of the overall and detailed multi-sourced spatial data integration issues from most relevant to the less relevant issues. This framework will help users to identify the suitability of multi sourced spatial data for integration. Such a framework would also help solving the potential integration problems.
Keywords: multi-source spatial data integration, SDI, data integration issues, framework