The Geospatial Commission’s top priorities for the upcoming year include releasing expert advice on investing in location data, launching the National Underground Assets Register, and testing public sector access to commercial satellite data.
Today (June 22), the Geospatial Commission released its strategy for 2022–2023, which outlines goals for the following year and considers the expanding use of location data as a strategic national asset to assist leveling up, aid in achieving net zero targets, and spur research and technology innovation.
The following are the top priorities for the Geospatial Commission in 2019:
Continued implementation of the National Underground Assets Register (NUAR) will create a shared, national underground utilities data asset and enhance the delivery of infrastructure across the UK, generating at least £345 million in economic value annually.
To better determine if collective access will assist overcome impediments to the wider public sector adoption of Earth Observation data, the public sector is piloting access to commercial satellite data.
Publishing guidelines on how to convince people to invest in location data, making sure that their entire potential is recognized, evaluated, and articulated.
The paper also outlines the advancements made over the previous year toward the 2020 UK Geospatial Strategy, including:
Core public sector data: Together with our Partner Bodies, we conducted the first coordinated evaluation of the UK’s geospatial data assets using FAIR data standards.
Transport location information: We initiated a project to investigate how location data may enhance the delivery of electric vehicle chargepoints, published Positioning the UK in the Fast Lane, and assisted creative firms in addressing major public sector transportation data concerns.
Data on land use: To highlight the benefits of increasing the UK’s spatial modeling capability in order to improve land use scenario planning, we established a National Land Data Programme.
Information about properties: We declared our intention to pass legislation to provide public access to information on properties held by the Valuation Office Agency, according to Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, Lord True CBE.
Location data is a potent strategic national asset that supports choices on how to invest to advance, how to allocate resources to improve public health, and how to hasten the decarbonization process.
Driving scientific innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in the UK will require an understanding of how this data may be used and applied.
In accordance with the UK’s Geospatial Strategy, the Geospatial Commission also released a policy paper on location data ethics.
In order to maximize public trust and confidence in the use, sharing, and reuse of location data, this proposal suggests an ABC – Accountability, Bias, and Clarity – as the fundamentals for successful governance of location data use.
Edwina Dunn OBE, an independent member of the Geospatial Commission and acting chair of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, said:
For AI and data-driven decision-making, location data is a rich and potent source of knowledge and input.
We must remember that these huge economic, social, and environmental benefits are only made possible with the trust and understanding of the UK people as geospatial data drives innovation and enhances our daily lives.
The policy paper from the Geospatial Commission is the result of months of interaction with various geospatial stakeholders.
Accountability, Bias, and Clarity are three common principles that are suggested in order to maximize advantages while preserving public confidence.
As part of Digital Leaders Week, both studies were released at a web event.