The National Geospatial Data Framework

Ten years ago, the Report of the Committee of Enquiry into the Handling of Geographic Information, chaired by Lord Chorley, established that the use of different geospatial data for the same area was crucial but difficult because of:

data inconsistencies
poorly documented data sets
incompatible computer systems

In the UK today, over 40 government departments and others produce geospatial data for their own needs, spending approximately £400 million annually on data collection and assembly.

Much of this data is not available for reuse or is collected in ways which make it difficult to use with other data sets. Most data sets remain poorly documented. There are still inconsistencies in the ways different computer systems treat sophisticated geospatial data.

The National Geospatial Data Framework (NGDF) is designed to reduce these problems and ultimately to:

increase the use of geospatial data
facilitate development of markets for data and services
‘future proof’ investments and enhance decision-making through use of better information.’

David Rhind, Chairman of the NGDF Board