This module focuses on how to build spatial data infrastructures (SDI), a key objective of which is to make available more and better local, national and global spatial data. It is considered both how to produce and how to get access to harmonized geographic data. Apart from technical issues, organizational and legal aspects are also covered. These topics provide the basis for understanding the architectures and technical aspects of interoperable web applications described in the other modules.

The contents of the module are:

• Concepts of spatial data infrastructure
• History and current status of SDI
• Standardisation of geographical data
• Organisational issues
• Access to reference data
• Network services
• Metadata and catalogues