PCGIAP WORKING GROUP 2

Project on Regional Fundamental Datasets

Below is the cover letter sent to all PCGIAP members regarding the Regional Fundamental Datasets Questionnaire

18 May 1999

Dear Member

Regional Fundamental Datasets Questionnaire

The Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP) is a regional body operating under the United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific (UNRCC-AP). There are four working areas of the PCGIAP, with Working Group 2 concentrating on Regional Fundamental Data.

The UNRCC-AP has endorsed the $BEG(Bundamental role played by the [Asia-Pacific] spatial data infrastructure in ensuring the successful implementation of the initiatives of Agenda 21 and in facilitating sustainable development”. See Attachment A for more details on a number of UN resolutions in relation to the work of the PCGIAP. The benefits of having the Asia-Pacific Spatial Data Infrastructure (APSDI) are spelt out in Attachment B.

The main areas of responsibility of PCGIAP Working Group 2 include:

  1. Contributing to the development of the APSDI; and
  2. Populating the APSDI with fundamental (or core) datasets - such as transport, geodetic network, elevation, vegetation, place names, land use, drainage systems and administrative boundaries.
The purpose of this letter is to introduce your country to, or update you on, Working Group 2 activities and to seek your involvement in providing answers to a questionnaire on fundamental datasets. The questionnaire is being undertaken on behalf of Working Group 2 by the Department of Geomatics at the University of Melbourne.

The Department of Geomatics has an active research group working in the area of spatial data infrastructures, under the direction of Professor Ian Williamson. Specific research on the APSDI is focused on its justification, benefits and operation.

The enclosed questionnaire is part of Working Group 2 task in gathering information from member countries with the aim of identifying regional fundamental datasets, GIS facilities, and standardisation initiatives.

You may recall that a questionnaire was sent to you earlier this year from the PCGIAP Secretariat regarding the Development Needs Taskforce seeking related information. Please let me assure you this is a different questionnaire and it builds on the work of the Taskforce questionnaire.

This questionnaire focuses upon the technical aspects of GIS datasets your country produces. There are 5 sections to the questionnaire - Attachment C describes these in greater detail.

All 55 member nations of PCGIAP have an important role in contributing to the APSDI and your involvement will produce a dual benefit. Not only will National Spatial Data Infrastructures be improved within member nations but there will be a flow-on effect whereby the APSDI will be enhanced. Your assistance would be very much appreciated in this PCGIAP Working Group 2 initiative.

Once completed, we kindly ask that you send the questionnaire to the Secretariat of PCGIAP, if possible, by 31 July 1999.

The Secretariat
Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific
PO Box 2
BELCONNEN ACT 2616
AUSTRALIA
Ph: +61-2-6201 4267
Fax: +61-2-6201 4366
e-mail: permcom@auslig.gov.au

Please note that all results will be processed under the direction of Working Group 2 and the Secretariat. The data collected will only be used under the direction or with the approval of the PCGIAP.

A digital version of the questionnaire (in Adobe Acrobat PDF format) is also available on the PCGIAP web site and can be found at

We thank you in advance for the time you and your staff invest in completing this questionnaire.

Yours sincerely

Peter Holland
Chairman
PCGIAP Working Group 2

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This page was last updated 01-06-1999.