In recent years, the concept of “openness” has gained significant attention and momentum across various industries, including geospatial and GIS. Openness refers to the idea of making data, software, and knowledge accessible and available to everyone, with few or no restrictions. This article will explore the concept of openness, including open data, open standards, open science, and other related concepts, and how they relate to the geospatial and GIS industries.
Open Data
Open data refers to data that is made available to the public, free of charge and with no restrictions on use or distribution. The Open Data Handbook defines open data as “data that can be freely used, reused, and redistributed by anyone – subject only, at most, to the requirement to attribute and share alike.” Open data can include a wide range of information, such as government data, scientific data, and geospatial data.
The availability of open data has transformed the geospatial and GIS industries by enabling new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and education. Open data has enabled the creation of new applications and tools that utilize geospatial data, such as OpenStreetMap, a collaborative mapping platform that relies on open data to create detailed and accurate maps. Open data has also enabled new approaches to scientific research, such as citizen science projects that engage the public in collecting and analyzing scientific data.
Open Standards
Open standards refer to specifications that are openly available and free for anyone to use and implement. Open standards ensure that software and data can be exchanged and used across different platforms and systems, without restrictions or barriers. The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is an example of an organization that develops and promotes open standards for geospatial data and services.
The use of open standards has enabled interoperability between different geospatial and GIS systems, enabling users to access and use data and software across different platforms and systems. Open standards have also enabled new approaches to data sharing and collaboration, such as the use of web services and APIs to exchange and integrate data between different systems.
Open Science
Open science refers to the idea of making scientific research and knowledge accessible and available to everyone, with few or no restrictions. Open science can include open access to scientific publications, open data, and open collaboration between researchers and the public.
Open science has transformed the geospatial and GIS industries by enabling new opportunities for scientific research, collaboration, and innovation. Open science has enabled new approaches to data sharing and collaboration, such as the use of citizen science projects to collect and analyze scientific data. Open science has also enabled new approaches to scientific publishing, such as open access journals that make scientific publications available to anyone, free of charge.
Open Source Software
Open source software refers to software that is openly available and free for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. Open source software is often developed and maintained by a community of volunteers, who contribute to the development and improvement of the software. Examples of open source software in the geospatial and GIS industries include QGIS, an open source GIS software, and OpenLayers, an open source mapping library.
Open source software has transformed the geospatial and GIS industries by enabling access to affordable and customizable software solutions. Open source software has enabled new approaches to software development and collaboration, such as the use of GitHub to share and collaborate on software development projects. Open source software has also enabled new approaches to GIS education and training, such as the use of open source software in GIS curriculums.
Community and Collaboration
The concept of openness is closely tied to community and collaboration. Openness enables the creation of communities of users, developers, and advocates who share a common goal of making data, software, and knowledge accessible and available to everyone. Openness also enables collaboration between different organizations, sectors, and countries, enabling the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and resources.
The geospatial and GIS industries have a strong tradition of community and collaboration, driven by the shared goal of creating and using geospatial data and software to solve complex problems and improve decision-making. Openness has enabled the growth and development of these communities by enabling the sharing of data, software, and knowledge. The use of open data, open standards, open science, and open source software has enabled collaboration between different organizations, sectors, and countries, enabling the development of new solutions and innovations.
The use of openness in the geospatial and GIS industries has also enabled new approaches to problem-solving and decision-making. Openness has enabled the creation of participatory and citizen-led approaches to decision-making, such as the use of participatory mapping and community-based planning. Openness has also enabled new approaches to risk assessment and disaster management, such as the use of open data and crowdsourcing to map and analyze disaster risks.
Conclusion
The concept of openness, including open data, open standards, open science, and open source software, has transformed the geospatial and GIS industries by enabling new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and education. Openness has enabled the creation of new applications and tools that utilize geospatial data, enabled interoperability between different systems, and enabled new approaches to scientific research and collaboration. Openness has also enabled new approaches to problem-solving and decision-making, enabling the creation of participatory and citizen-led approaches to decision-making and risk assessment.
The use of openness in the geospatial and GIS industries has also created a strong tradition of community and collaboration, driven by the shared goal of creating and using geospatial data and software to solve complex problems and improve decision-making. As the use of openness continues to grow and evolve, it is likely to play an increasingly important role in the geospatial and GIS industries, enabling new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and education.
References
- Open Data Handbook. (n.d.). What is open data? Retrieved from https://opendatahandbook.org/guide/en/what-is-open-data/
- Open Geospatial Consortium. (n.d.). About OGC. Retrieved from https://www.ogc.org/about
- Open Source Initiative. (n.d.). What is open source? Retrieved from https://opensource.org/docs/osd
- QGIS. (n.d.). About. Retrieved from https://www.qgis.org/en/site/about/
- OpenLayers. (n.d.). About. Retrieved from https://openlayers.org/about.html
- Kitchin, R. (2014). The data revolution: Big data, open data, data infrastructures and their consequences. Sage.
Suggestion for Citation: Amerudin, S. (2023). The Concept of "Openness" in Geospatial and GIS. [Online] Available at: https://people.utm.my/shahabuddin/?p=6385 (Accessed: 10 May 2023).
