Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

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SDI-AP November 2008 Vol. 5, No. 11

DI-Asia/Pacific Newsletter - 1 - Vol. 5 No. 11

patial Data Infrastructure – Asia and the Pacific (SDI-AP) is a free lectronic newsletter from the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Association GSDI). The newsletter is produced for people interested in Spatial Data nfrastructure, GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial data issues in Asia and he Pacific. It aims to raise awareness and provide useful information to trengthen SDI initiatives and support the synchronisation of activities across he region. Support for the newsletter is also provided by the Permanent ommittee on Geographic Information for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP), a

egional forum to enhance cooperation in the development of a regional eographic information infrastructure. The newsletter is currently being roduced for GSDI by the Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures and Land dministration at the University of Melbourne.

o subscribe to SDI-AP, please go to: http://www.gsdi.org/newslist/gsdisubscribe.asp. Back issues of the ewsletter are at the GSDI website: http://www.gsdi.org/newsletters.asp. You can also sign up for GSDI News ist to receive alerts of special news and announcements as well as notification of new issues of the SDI-AP ewsletter. To subscribe to, and access archives of, thematic or regional discussion lists please visit ttp://www.gsdi.org/discussionlists.asp.

Contents

essage from the editor .......................................................................................................................................1 ontributions.........................................................................................................................................................2 DI News, Links, Papers, Presentations..............................................................................................................2 DI Spotlight.........................................................................................................................................................4 IS Tools, Software, Data....................................................................................................................................5 ews from abroad ................................................................................................................................................8 ooks and Journals ........................................................................................................................................... 10 ust for Fun !...................................................................................................................................................... 12 raining Opportunities ....................................................................................................................................... 13 unding Opportunities, Awards, Grants ............................................................................................................ 14 mployment Opportunities ................................................................................................................................ 15 onferences, Events ......................................................................................................................................... 15

Message from the editor

elcome to the November 2008 issue of the GDSI-AP Newsletter. In this edition we highlight a number of mportant resolutions made by the working groups at the 14th PCGIAP meeting, KL, Malaysia 2008.

f you have news or information related to SDI, GIS, RS or spatial data that you would like to share with the ommunity (e.g. workshop announcements, publications, reports, websites of interest etc.), kindly send us the aterials by the 25th of the each month to sdi-ap@gsdi.org, for your contribution to be included in the next ewsletter.

alcolm Park and Serryn Eagleson (Editors) Editor.SDIAP@gmail.com Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures nd Land Administration, The University of Melbourne ttp://www.geom.unimelb.edu.au/research/SDI_research/index.html

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Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

Contributions

Thank you to the following people and organisations for their contributions to this issue: Paul Box and Kate Lance for news feeds, Jeremy Huang, and Jeremy Shen from the Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan for the Chinese translation, Shivani Lal, GIS Development and Asia Surveying Mapping Magazine for directly feeding into the newsletter. Back to contents

SDI News, Links, Papers, Presentations Space Data for Higher Education to be provided by ScanEx Universities all over the world will soon be provided with the unique opportunity not only to improve their own educational process but to achieve a truly qualitative breakthrough in the area of training specialists in various fields of activities. Even today Russian Research and Development Center ScanEx and Israeli Company ImageSat International N.V. offers to the participants of the world educational market the opportunity to use space imagery with 1.8 meter resolution acquired by EROS А satellite. Source: Education GIS Becoming an Authoritative Source for Global Spatial Data The United Nations Environment Program’s World Conservation Monitoring Center (UNEP-WCMC) in Cambridge, United Kingdom, has a dedicated staff of more than 60 people that work to bring together data on global biodiversity and conservation to guide policy. The primary data product of UNEP-WCMC is the World Database of Protected Areas (WDPA). As the global clearinghouse for map data about protected areas, the UNEP-WCMC is a hub for conservation and environmental assessment research. Further information on this project us available from hereSource: Vector1 Media GIS-based Decision Support System to launch in Pakistan Pakistan - The GIS-based Decision Support System and Partnership Fund will be launched on October 9 in Pakistan. An announcement Tuesday said that the initiative was a part of the programme of the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature Pakistan. An official of the WWF Pakistan further stated the DSS was the first ever online Global Information System (GIS) platform of Sindh which provides information of drainages, villages, canals, land cover, satellite images and others related features. Source: http://thepost.com.pk/ and GIS Development http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_ksaylhnprz&Ezine=oct1308&section=News What is a spatial data model and why are they important to understand?This article by Vector one provides an overview of data models and the importance of structuring the data model which supports the user applications. Source: Vector1Media - http://vector1media.com/vectorone/?p=1185 Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC) announced today that OGC members Blue Marble and 1Spatial have released the results of the OGC Spatial Data Quality Survey. The mission of the Data Quality Working Group of the OGC Technical Committee is to provide a forum for describing an interoperable framework or model for OGC quality assurance measures and Web services. Standards developed on this framework will enable more effective and reliable evaluation, sharing and use of geospatial information; improve data analysis and ultimately influence policy decisions. In order to achieve the Working Group's goal, it was necessary at the outset to poll organizations involved in the marketplace to ascertain what they mean when they use the term "spatial data quality." Source: Open Geospatial Consortium SDI-Asia/Pacific Newsletter - 2 - Vol. 5 No. 11

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Lack of data hits decision-making on water resources in UAE UAE: Lack of information on water resources in the UAE has posed problems for decision-makers in managing diminishing water reserves. Even today it remains impossible to make adequate predictions on the effects of climate change in the region due to lack of data, said Dr Rachael McDonnell, a visiting scientist at the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, speaking at the Water Tech 2008 conference going on in Dubai. SOURCE: http://www.gulfnews.com/GIS Development http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_bixyrekndf Google gang on map-India mission 7 October 2008 India - An army of amateur online cartographers are embarking on what could prove the most concerted effort to map India since the British Empire tackled the task. Fed up with getting lost in Bangalore, the sprawling centre of the country’s IT industry, a team of engineers from Google, the largest search engine on the Net, has devised a tool to let web users annotate and amend satellite images to produce useful maps. Within weeks of its launch, tens of thousands of Indians have filled in details of their cities, towns and villages, many of them previously blank spaces in even the most up-to-date atlases. The technology, which is being extended to other “information-deficient” regions, such as Africa, is widely viewed as the future of map-making and is on course to be worth billions of dollars for Google in advertising revenues. Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com and GIS Development http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_ozjsxlpiqy&Ezine=oct1308&section=News "Digital skin" to cover Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is the most monitored reef in the world with the application of a "digital skin" of sensors that will make possible the finest resolution picture ever of the region's dynamic systems. .... Online data: http://www.aims.gov.au/docs/online-data/onlinedata.htmlSOURCE: Global Ocean Observing System http://www.ioc-goos.org/content/view/146/48/Aust Inst Marine Science http://www.aims.gov.au/docs/media/news2008/20080509.html Guidelines for Digital Elevation Data released The Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping - ICSM - recently released a new publication titled "ICSM Guidelines for Digital Elevation Data". This document aims to provide investors, providers and users of elevation data with guidelines and recommendations for acquiring elevation data depicting the earth's surface based on current best practice. The Guidelines were prepared by the ICSM Elevation Special Interest Working Group under the auspices of the National Elevation Data Framework: NEDF. NEDF is an initiative to develop a collaborative framework that can be used to increase the quality of elevation data and derived products such as Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) describing Australia's landform and seabed. The aim is to optimise investment in existing and future data collections and provide access to a wide range of digital elevation data and derived products. The Guidelines represents a first cut in the preparation of 'best practice' guidelines for Australia and has been prepared as an outcome of a review of existing available material from around Australia and selected countries. If you have any questions or comments on the guidelines then please email icsm@ga.gov.au. The guidelines are available on the ICSM website at http://www.icsm.gov.au/icsm/elevation/index.html. Satellites Keep Tabs on the Environment This article is reprinted with permission from environmentalresearchweb.org, a website offering news and analysis of the latest environmental topics around the globe. Designed for scientists, policymakers and campaigners, environmentalresearchweb's coverage is in depth and wide-ranging, from climate change to biodiversity, from renewable energy to pollution, from economics to environmental legislation, and from health issues to sustainability. All articles are free to read. The article is reprinted at http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=2852&trv=1Source: Directions Magazine Earth Science Week 2008: No child left inside 20 October 2008 Australia - The winners of the Geologi08 short film competition were announced today to conclude Australian celebrations for Earth Science Week 2008.

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

Source: GIS Development http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_qtzxrvokyp and GeoScience Australia http://www.ga.gov.au/news/latestnews/index.jsp#geologi The Past and Future of Crisis Mapping http://irevolution.wordpress.com/2008/10/18/future-of-crisis-mapping/ Land Information New Zealand – “Out with Paper” article by Karen Richardson (ESRI) Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) gives surveyors, conveyancers, and territorial (local government) authorities across New Zealand secure access to the nation's digital cadastre and land titles through an online system called Landonline (with the emphasis on “online”). Source: Kate Lance & Professional Surveyor Magazine (September 2008) http://www.profsurv.com/archive.php?issue=144&article=2225 Bird’s-eye view of the Great Barrier Reef launched USA - A bird’s-eye view of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is now possible, thanks to innovative online mapping technology officially launched on Wednesday 1 October. This is the first time maps of the Marine Park are available through online mapping service Google Maps, enabling internet users worldwide to dive deeper into this great natural icon with just the click of a button. Source: http://www.sail-world.com/ and GIS Development http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_knjyfxegqd&Ezine=oct2008&section=News NASA Maps Shed Light on Carbon Dioxide's Global Nature USA - A NASA/university team has published the first global satellite maps of the key greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in Earth's mid-troposphere, an area about 8 kilometers, or 5 miles, above Earth. The team's study reveals new information on how carbon dioxide, which directly contributes to climate change, is distributed in Earth's atmosphere and moves around our world. Source: http://www.nasa.gov/ and GIS Development http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_rukxctmwgy&Ezine=oct2008&section=Newssee also V1 Magazine http://vector1media.com/spatialsustain/?p=1360 Back to contents

SDI Spotlight Resolutions from the 14th PCGIAP meeting, KL, Malaysia 2008 A number of significant resolutions for the region were made at the 14th PCGIAP meeting in KL, 2008. This section aims to highlight a number of these resolutions which are aimed at facilitating data sharing and coordination in the region. It is anticipated that an extended summary of these resolutions will be made available on the PCGIAP website in due course. 1. Sharing of Geodetic Datasets Recognizing the need to share data sets especially in country border regions to advance the research and modeling of geophysical phenomena, the group acknowledged that the policies vary between county and resolved that each country should update and report to the secretariat on the following

what geodetic data sets are available for sharing; to what level of accuracy and resolution; and to how dense/spatial extent;

2. Development of Asia-Pacific Fundamental Dataset This committee has been established to develop a fundamental dataset for the Asia Pacific region. The working group recommended that the dataset should include: Korea, New Zealand, Russia, Papua Nugini and Pakistan. That the dataset should be used for

· Identify problems such as matching between adjacent countries, and data integrity

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· Data maintenance including update and the custodianship of data

p organised a communication strategy between counties and a timeline for the

elopment projects and linking them to the PCGIAP website. Timelines for these ed.

the Pacific and the Americas, to considering issues of cadastre and land

a)

ise with the ia and Pacific region through WG3 in the pursuit of this objective.

a)

b)

c)

could be widely deliberated and discussed in the ensuing workshop to be held in Bangkok

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· Test case such as mapping of country hit by tsunami.

dditionally this working grouAdevelopment of the dataset. 3. Development of Metadata Profile and Node Network This working group has been established to develop a Metadata Profile and Node Network. The group recommended that a project team is established to develop an AP Metadata profile, they continue the Asia Pacific Profile survey as well as workshops and team meetings. The need to build capacity into education on metadata, training into technical aspects of metadata implementation as well as combining the Data Node

etwork & Metadata Profile DevNprojects were also develop 4. Land Administration This group recognized the importance of integrating large scale cadastral and land administration data with topographic data in order to support sustainable development as well as the long standing commitment of UNRCCs for both Asia and administration. The group recommended that

Working Group 3 (Spatially Enabled Government) be renamed “Land Administration” with a mandate to consider land administration issues, spatially enabling government and their joint role in supporting sustainable development;

b) an annual Land Administration Forum and related activities be convened as part of the activities of PCGIAP focusing on land administration issues and challenges in the Asia and Pacific region; and WG3 to facilitate the annual Land Administration Forum and any other related activities and liac)respective agencies in the As

5. Institutional Strengthening

A workshop should be organized on the relevant focal theme for institutional strengthening mechanism in Asia and Pacific region conforming to the aims and needs of the member countries at the next meeting in Bangkok to be held in October 2009. The ongoing training programs conducted by Survey of India should be standardized in the contents of training encompassing diversified disciplines on multifaceted aspects of the Four Working Groups of PCGIAP needed for the growth of SDI initiatives in the respective countries. For the development of institutional strengthening and capacity building mechanism in furtherance of National SDI initiatives in respective countries, the nodal training institutions should be identified in Asia & Pacific region, which should be further strengthened in their faculties catering to the contemporary needs and trends developed globally in this discipline/ profession by seeking aids from donor agencies like UNDP, FAO, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, USAID etc.

The aforesaid issues Source: PCGIAP B

GIS Tools, Software, Data GIS Professional SurveyGina Clemmer of New Urban Research is conducting a survey to understaprofessionals. Answer this quick ten question survey to add your input:

nd what skills are essential for GIS

Source: GIS Lounge http://gislounge.com/what-skills-are-essential-in-gis/

China Information Security Technology, Inc. Wins $2.9 Million Remote Sensing Contract in Guangdong Province

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

China Information Security Technology, Inc., a leading application software developer announced that theCompany has been awarded a $2.9 million remote sensing contract to construct aerophotogrammetricalsurveys and digital maps in west Guangdong province for China's Ministry of Land and Resources (the "Ministry"), in accordance with the Ministry's Second National Land Survey. The contract will require the production of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles (DOQs), which are often used in Geographic Information Systems. Commonly built using remote sensing or land surveying techniquDEM is a digital representation digitally-produced

es, a of ground surface topography or terrain and is the most common basis for

relief maps. Source: GIS Cafe

ESRI Health Conference Explores How GIS Is Shaping Global Health At this conference held by ESRI Yasushi Ohkusa, Ph.D., chief researcher, Infectious Diseases SurveillanceCenter, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan, described how the center is using GIS for spatial analysis and to model health scenarios in Japan such as tracking the geographic diffusion of virulent influenza through a crowded transportation system in Tokyo. Ohkusa added, "GIS allows visualization of very complex h

uman interaction events and thus provides added understanding for policy makers and public health

ource: GIS Developmentworkers." S Dubai Municipality to Introduce New Interactive E-MapAccording to Mohammed Abdullah Al Zaffine, director of the department, the new service titled "Takamul" is an electronic service that offers an interactive, comprehensive and hquality map consisting of geographiSource: GIS Development

igh c features and attributes for the Emirate of Dubai.

ttp://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_bwhdzeolnxh Review of Open-source GIS programs Linux Journal is providing an ongoing series of on open-source geographic information system (GIS) programs. This months edition offers an introduction to uDig GIS. uDig is for GIS users of all levels, from beginners to advanced. The review includes information on how to download uDIG, where to find GIS data and reviews the

Source: GIS Loungebasic functionalities of loading data, symbolizing and selecting attributes

and http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/udig-gis-first-look

Vulnerability mapping still needed Investing in detailed maps of pcountries, says Shishir Dube. This article outlines the work that researchers need to do to work out how much of a coastline is likely to be affected by strong cyclonic winds or inundated by storm surges. Calculating this physical vulnerability is becoming especially important, given projected global warming and sea level rise. To be most useful, vulnerability should beusing the smallest possible geographical unit of the coast, such as villages. (Source:

otential cyclone damage will save lives in Indian Ocean

calculated

SciDev report by Centre for Atmospheric Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.)

Release of software "Maker!" – Map in a Snap A few months ago, FortiusOne publicly released the emphatically named Finder! beta, a browser-based application for sharing spatial data in shapefile, spreadsheet (CSV), and KML formats. ... Now, the company has rounded out its GeoCommons platform with the launch of partner application Maker!, which was developed in collaboration with Axis Maps. Maker! helps users create maps with their own data sets, or public data uploaded to Finder! by others. Source: Paul Box; GIS & Mapping: http://gismap.geospatial-solutions.com/gssgismap/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=556333 New version of free GIS portal toolkit To further improve geographic information system (GIS) data access over the Web, ESRI has updated its GIS Portal Toolkit for ArcGIS. The toolkit is a free technology and services solution for implementing local, regional,

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Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

national, and global spatial data infrastructure (SDI) portals. The toolkit gives users a Web site starter and all the functional capabilities needed to deploy a GIS portal for an organisation's SDI. Source: ITS International http://www.itsinternational.com/news/article.cfm?recordID=13987 (FREE registration required to access the website) Thailand's THEOS satellite successfully launched Thailand's THEOS satellite successfully launched On October 1, 2008 at 06:37:16 UTC, THEOS - THailand Earth Observation System was launched successfully from the Yasny, Russia by the Russian DNEPR-1 rocket. After the rocket was launched from the underground silo, its four engines were ignited, sending the rocket skyward directly to space. The satellite separated from the rocket successfully and was deployed in a sun synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 820 km. The THEOS satellite payload features both high resolution in panchromatic mode and wide field of view in multispectral mode which has been tailored to Thailand's specific needs with a worldwide imaging capability. Source: GISTDA http://www.gistda.or.th/Gistda/THEOS_launch1en.html Utilization of distributed architecture based on Internet GIS for geomorphologic data and environmental management: case study of Damavand Volcano conic, Iran Ebrahim Moghimi, Ali Mansourian, Mojgan Zarei Nejad, Mohammad Saber Moghimi "This research suggests a distributed architecture based on Internet GIS as a solution to remove the problems dealing with management of geomorphologic environmental data in Iran. Then, to justify the hypothesis, it works to implement a sample system to study the management of geomorphologic-environmental data of Damavand with the proposed architecture." Source: American Journal of Applied Sciences

Earth Atlas: Creating a KML tree with Ext JS A new version of Earth Atlas is now available (earthatlas.info). Earth Atlas demonstrates how a Google Earth-like user interface can be created in the web browser. This is achieved by combining the Google Earth API and the Ext JS library. Earth Atlas has no server-side dependencies, - the data layers are provided by loading various KML files. Source: Thematic mapping blog OpenStreetMap: Free Software's Answer to Google and Commercially Restricted GeodataGary Richmond is totally impressed with OpenStreetMap and provides a great introduction. Here's how he positions the user-generated, free-to-use, still-in-development world-wide database: "It's all relatively, marvelously, low tech: Archimedes claimed that if had a sufficiently large fulcrum he could move the Earth but all you need to map the earth is a GPS-enabled device, a car, a bicycle, motorbike or just a pair of good old fashioned legs to track, record and then upload the data to OpenStreetMaps' servers." Source: Directions Magazine

Access to Developing Versions of gvSIG ***** Possible web security breach at this website ***** The gvSIG project has created a repository that will allow access to all the builds that it generates. Within the developing phases of gvSIG, prior to the published versions in the official web of the project, there are builds being generated. The builds are used internally to test new features, they are extremely unstable and do not have the entire features of the program. [***** Possible web security breach at this website *****]Certain builds could end up being official versions. Allowing users free access to the builds will let them test the new features in which the developing team is working at the moment and evaluate the development state. The URL to access the builds is: https://gvsig.org/web/projects/gvsig-desktop/devel

gvSIG Mobile source code freed for public use gvSIG Mobile source code repository SVN has been freed for public use (read only). The URL of the repository is: http://subversion.gvsig.org/gvSIG-mobile/

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World’s Biggest Country Becomes a Little Bit Smaller RUSSIA - Russia has officially handed over part of its territory to China, settling a border dispute that goes back centuries. Following an agreement signed in 2004, China has been granted the whole of Tarabarov island and part of Bolshoy Ussuriysky island. Both islands are situated in the Amur river.Source: Vector1Magazine http://www.vector1media.com/headlines/headlines/world%92s-biggest-country-becomes-a-little-bit-smaller/

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News from abroad “This section has been included to highlight some of the developments happening outside the region which demonstrate SDI in action. USGS Seeks Proposals to Advance the National Spatial Data InfrastructureUSGS and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) have announced their request for proposals to support the 2009 National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Cooperative Agreements Program (CAP). With over $1.3 million spread across seven funding categories, the 2009 NSDI CAP will fund an estimated 26 innovative projects in the geospatial data community. The goals of the awarded projects will be to develop data partnerships and advance the infrastructure required to discover, access, share, manage, and use geospatial data. More information is available at http://www.fgdc.gov/grants/2009NSDICAP/2009CAPSource: GeoPlace.com GenderAlp Spatial Development for Women and Men The toolkit is spatial planning; and the specific tools are gender mainstreaming, gender planning and gender budgeting. Though the term “tools” is used, Gender Alp commonly refers to “knowledge, methods, instruments and a network of good practices”. It also aims at delivering practical tools to decision-makers in politics and administrations - indicators, guidelines, training modules - to help them implement their objectives. GenderAlp! is a network or project (2005-2007) focused on “Spatial Development for Women and Men" which involves 12 European partner cities and regions. Its objectives include creating sensitivity in gender planning and gender budgeting processes in order to implement gender mainstreaming delivering practical tools to decision-makers in politics and administration creating knowledge base on quality management in spatial planning and public budgets connected to gender mainstreaming strategy exchanging of experience and best-practice examples on gender mainstreaming, gender planning and gender budgeting between partners In its tool development and networking mode, it is similar to GLTN, except that it is a fully funded project with explicit mandate for gender equality. It has extensive projects (32) and has a sophisticated best practice data base, which lists tools. (Source: GenderAlp article at http://www.genderalp.com/home.php3 ) Brazilian deforestation speeds up, satellite images revealed Brazil - Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon increased 69 per cent in the past 12 months as high commodity prices have driven forest conversion for ranches and cropland, according to preliminary figures released by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in September. The increase comes after three consecutive years of declining deforestation in Brazil. Source: GIS Development http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_dveorjxgmyand http://www.peopleandplanet.net/ Ancient Peru Pyramid Spotted by Satellite Peru - A new remote sensing technology has peeled away layers of mud and rock near Peru's Cahuachi desert to reveal an ancient adobe pyramid, Italian researchers announced on Friday at a satellite imagery conference in Rome. Source: Discovery Channel http://dsc.discovery.com/ and GIS Development http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_pcxfjdztur&Ezine=oct1308&section=News Seabed mapping to help fishing industry in Devon UK - SHELLFISH farmers will be able to manage fishing grounds more efficiently with information collected from

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the first seabed mapping trial in Devon. Seafish, a Government agency supporting the seafood industry, has been trialling its 'Basic Seabed Habitat Mapping' system on Devon's Salcombe Estuary, mapping sensitive seagrass beds adjacent to the traditional fishing grounds used by East Devon fishermen. Source: GIS Development http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_cqgrzyfnxl&Ezine=oct1308&section=NewsMidweek Herald http://tinyurl.com/3vzyuz or http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/

Russia May Ban GPS Use of the system is not currently banned. Though it was until Dec 2006 for security reasons. But the law was ignored, so it was dropped. (Moscow Times) Two years later, the officials are reconsidering: However, during recent meeting on space industry, government representatives said that they planned to ban GPS navigation system from being used on municipal and public means of transportation. The "why" of the proposed ban was not addressed in any coverage I found. Source: Directions Magazine & Russian Info-Centre Russia IC Connecting the Dots: Geographic Tracking of Crime in Unusual Ways [the author] had the opportunity to attend MetaCarta’s Public Sector User Group meeting today. Directions has covered MetaCarta’s technology for several years and in order to adequately extract at least one nugget of new information about the company’s technology, an example is the best way to illustrate it. One of the key applications realized by public safety organizations is the ability to link bits of news, police reports in this example, to geographic trends and deduce anticipated results. The North Texas Fusion Centers (NTFC) distills this kind of information for emergency management and natural disasters in addition to crime analysis. And so, at various times, it becomes necessary to temporarily close the border with Mexico for 24 hours, according to Bob Warren of MetaCarta. Crime and incident reports are logged during and after the closure. When the border is opened again, authorities find there is a drop in crime, followed by an increase in crime. These text-based reports are assimilated using MetaCarta's Georeferencing engine whereby the location of each report is extracted and displayed on a map. The result is the recognition of a ripple effect of crime across the state. Crime is noted to occur along the interstate corridors leading to Dallas from the border that reach the city within about three days. The analysis: Cross border weapons movement seems to converge on Dallas and might not have been detected without visualizing this movement of crime along these geographic corridors. So, by geotagging reports, police are able to see how crime travels.

Source: Directions Magazine http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4891-Connecting-the-Dots-Geographic-Tracking-of-Crime-in-Unusual-Ways.html Abu Dhabi gets online gateway to geographic data The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) has developed a geospatial data portal that makes environmental data and metadata readily available to government organizations and the general public. The portal can be accessed at www.geoportal.aeThe portal, with a new interface in both Arabic and English, is a one-stop access point for environmental data in Abu Dhabi. The general public can now quickly and easily access EAD's entire catalogue of geospatial data, maps and information about the data that was used to make those maps. The portal is part of EAD's Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI), which was launched in 2002 to promote and facilitate access to quality environmental data. http://www.ameinfo.com/171187.html Source: Kate Lance Scientists to use satellite imagery to predict disease outbreaks 17 October 2008 USA - Scientists at the University of Maryland in the US are hoping to predict disease outbreaks like cholera epidemics four to six weeks before they actually happen, by looking satellite imagery. According to a report in Discovery News, the research could help save lives worldwide, and could be used to develop other models to predict other seasonal or climate-driven infectious diseases. … Colwell and her colleagues correlated the environmental data with infection statistics in several countries to create a model that can predict the severity of cholera outbreaks four to six weeks before the first individual is

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

infected. Colwell expects that within the next three to four years, her team will accurately predict the time and size of future cholera epidemics four to six weeks before the first individuals become ill. Source: http://www.entertainmentandshowbiz.com/ and GIS Development http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_juaoyfshzr&Ezine=oct2008&section=News Lawsuit Claims Mapmaking Firm Owns Your Neighborhood NOTE: The Mapmaking firm has commented upon the article Source: Wired http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/2008/10/neighborhoodComment: http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/2008/10/neighborhood?showAllComments=true&commentId=5g8p Why Location Matters: Legal Issues of GPS, Navigation Systems and Other Location-Based Services-A Webcast "The legal community has been unable to keep pace with the rapid changes in geospatial technology and location-based applications. As a result, the American Law Institute and the American Bar Association are holding a webcast and telephone seminar on November 5, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. E.S.T on the unique legal issues associated with spatial data. The cost is $169.00 to attend. The program, entitled “Why Location Matters: Legal Issues of GPS, Navigation Systems and Other Location-Based Services” is believed to be the first program hosted by the American Bar Association to focus exclusively on Spatial Law matters." Kevin Pomfret of Cantor Arkema, P.C. and Dan Connors of GeoEye will be the speakers. The program will focus on matters such as protecting intellectual property rights in spatial data, limiting liability exposure and U.S. and international laws related to privacy and national security." Source: Directions Magazine Back to contents

Books and Journals

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Business Site Selection, Location Analysis and GIS All organizations businesses, government agencies, and even individuals face location and relocation decisions: where to open a new store, where to build a new factory, where to locate a new transportation hub? Written by two of the leading researchers in the field, here is the first book to cover the convergent use of GIS for Location Science analysis. The book's integrated approach enables analysts to look beyond theoretical location constructs to focus on the resolution of actual siting problems, producing better data and model representations, developing better solution approaches, and providing better visualization of location alternatives than otherwise possible. From: Wiley, 2008. GPS For Dummies

Need directions? Are you good at getting lost? Then GPS is just the technology you’ve dreamed of, and GPS For Dummies is what you need to help you make the most of it. If you have a GPS unit or plan to buy one, GPS For Dummies, 2nd Edition helps you compare GPS technologies, units, and uses. You’ll find out how to create and use digital maps and learn about waypoints, tracks, coordinate systems, and other key point to using GPS technology.

From: For Dummies, 2008. Quantitative Modeling of Earth Surface Processes This textbook describes some of the most effective and straightforward quantitative techniques for modeling Earth surface processes. By emphasizing a core set of equations and solution techniques, the book presents state-of-the-art models currently employed in Earth surface process research, as well as a set of simple but practical research tools. Detailed case studies demonstrate application of the methods to a wide variety of processes including hillslope, fluvial, aeolian, glacial, tectonic, and climatic systems. Exercises at the

end of each chapter begin with simple calculations and then progress to more sophisticated problems that

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

require computer programming. All the necessary computer codes are available online. Assuming some knowledge of calculus and basic programming experience, this quantitative textbook is designed for advanced geomorphology courses and as a reference book for professional researchers in Earth and planetary science looking for a quantitative approach to Earth surface processes. From: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Theos User Handbook from GISTDA: THEOS User Handbook (English - pdf) or THEOS User Handbook (e-book) Call for papers: “Remote Sensing for Africa, Special Issue” The International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation invites authors to submit scientific papers for a Special Issue, focusing on Remote Sensing in Africa and under African circumstances. Submission deadline (extended): 20 November 2008. The primary motivation for this issue is that the issue editors have noted that the number of contributions from African authors and focusing on African problems is underrepresented in the journal and in scientific journals in general. Second, more and more satellite attention is focusing on Africa, with its special and specific questions, its own set of conditions, and its particular type of problems. Third, it is a primary aim of the journal to focus on developing countries, and for this particular reason we like to focus on remote sensing for Africa, in the widest possible sense. That means that the editors would like to receive papers from all important applications fields and fields of methodology throughout African problems. One may think for example on biodiversity, water scarcity, global change, deforestation, oil spills, urban sprawl, road development and agricultural problems. Various issues of scale and resolution could be addressed, and the focus may range from a practical application to decision support. It is important to have contributions also from satellites that are specifically designed for studies in African circumstances. Finally, the editors would like to receive manuscripts from as many different countries and institutes as possible, from Morocco to South Africa, and from Somalia to Senegal. As this is a special issue of an exploratory nature, the editors aim to restrict the size of the manuscripts to 3000 words, 3 figures and 2 tables maximum. Dr. Tsehaie Woldai (ITC, Enschede, The Netherlands, Managing Guest Editor) and Dr. Harold Annegarn (Johannesburg, South Africa, Guest Editor) will serve as guest editors. Papers can be submitted through http://ees.elsevier.com/jag/default.asp. Authors: please be sure to select Special Issue: Remote Sensing for Africa when you reach the “Article Type” step in the submission process. CALL FOR PAPERS: NEXT GENERATION DIGITAL EARTH International Journal of Spatial Data Infrastructure Research It is now ten years since Al Gore's published speech outlining his vision for a Digital Earth. Much of what he described is now accomplished in the virtual globes -- Google Earth, Microsoft Virtual Earth, NASA World Wind etc. -- but several notable gaps can be identified. Moreover the vision needs updating based on the technology and expectations of 2008, and possible futures; and Digital Earth's relationship to other parts of the geospatial universe needs to be elaborated. The International Journal of Spatial Data Infrastructure Research invites papers dealing with any aspect of Digital Earth and its future, from technology to societal context. An editorial published in the journal earlier this year (http://ijsdir.jrc.ec.europa.eu/index.php/ijsdir/article/viewFile/119/99) and based on discussions at a Vespucci Initiative workshop in Florence in June identifies some perceived requirements and a related research agenda, and may form a useful starting point for authors contemplating responses to this call. Instructions on how to submit and formatting requirements are available at: http://ijsdir.jrc.ec.europa.eu/index.php/ijsdir/about/submissions#authorGuidelines Articles should be no longer than 8000 words including abstract and references. When submitting the paper on-line, please select the “Next Generation Digital Earth (Under Review)” Section of

the Journal. Deadline for submissions is 31st January 2009. All articles will be peer reviewed. The Power of Place: Geography, Destiny, and Globalization's Rough Landscape In recent years a spate of books and articles have argued that the world today is so mobile, so interconnected and so integrated that it is, in one prominent assessment, flat. But as Harm de Blij contends in The Power of Place, geography continues to hold billions of people in an unrelenting grip. We are all born into natural and cultural environments that shape what we become, individually and collectively. From our "mother tongue" to our father's faith, from medical risks to

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Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

natural hazards, where we start our journey has much to do with our destiny, and thus with our chances of overcoming the obstacles in our way. From Oxford University Press, 2008. 2008 Earth Observation Handbook released France - The Earth Observation Handbook – just released and available online – explains the vital role played by Earth observation satellites in providing the information needed by governments and policymakers to make well-informed decisions for a sustainable future. The full contents of the EO Handbook 2008 are available on-line at www.eohandbook.comHard copy Order form available from: http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEM38F6EJLF_index_0.html Historical Atlas of Australian Resources series – Soils & Land Use This atlas volume summarises historic geographical knowledge about Australia's soil resources and land use and complements the other environmental and resource topics in the Atlas of Australia Resource Series. Volume 1: Historical Atlas of Australian Resources - Soils and Land Use (1980 edition) Volume 2: Historical Atlas of Australian Resources - Population (1980 edition) - NOT YET

AVAILABLE Volume 3: Historical Atlas of Australian Resources - Agriculture (1982 edition) Volume 4: Historical Atlas of Australian Resources - Climate (1986 edition) - NOT YET

AVAILABLE Volume 5: Historical Atlas of Australian Resources - Geology & Minerals (1988 edition)

Volume 6: Historical Atlas of Australian Resources - Vegetation (1990 edition)GeoScience Australia http://www.ga.gov.au/nmd/mapping/atlas_soil.jsp UN Atlas of the Oceans The United Nations Atlas of the Oceans is “an information system designed for use by policy makers who need to become familiar with ocean issues and by scientists, students and resource managers who need access to underlying data bases and approaches to sustainability.” The most recent Newsletter is here Back to contents

Just for Fun ! Putin's dog trials Russian GPS October 21, 2008 Russia's satellite navigation system isn't fully operational yet, but it seems to work on Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's dog. Putin listened as his deputy, Sergei Ivanov, briefed him on the progress of the Global Navigation Satellite System. Then footage broadcast on Russian TV showed them try a collar containing satellite-guided positioning equipment on the prime minister's black Labrador, Koni. SOURCE: The Age http://www.theage.com.au/news/lifeandstyle/pets/putins-dog-trials-russian-gps/2008/10/21/1224351214964.html Best Name So Far for iPhone LBS Apps: CarticipateCarticipate is a free LBS app for finding other with whom to share rides. Only a few weeks old it suffers from the big challenge for LBS: reaching critical mass. SOURCE: Directions Magazine & Huffington Post Back to contents

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Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

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Training Opportunities Announcement and Call for NominationTraining Course on Spatial Data Infrastructure 4-10 January 2009, PCGIAP Training Center, Wenchang, Hainan, China Further information is available from: http://www.pcgiap.org/Source: PCGIAP National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) (Department of Space, Government of India) offers training courses to resource scientists and technologists in various disciplines of application. -- Remote Sensing & GIS Technology and Applications (12 week course), November 17, 2008 - February 6, 2009 -- Introduction to GIS and its Applications (4 week course), March 2-27, 2009 NRSC recently was formed as a new agency, using people and assets from the old National Remote Sensing Agency run by the Department of Space. The move was announced on 1 September 2008. The NRSC will be one of the centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation. Further information is available from: http://www.nrsa.gov.in/training/trainingnrsa.html Post Graduate Certificate in GIS and RS Admission NoticeCourse Code: STL01; Course Name: Post Graduate Certificate in GIS and RS Course Duration: 6 months (150 hours) Training Center: Kolkata Classes: 3 days a week 2 hours per day. The Post Graduate Certificate in GIS and RS course will allow students to build their knowledge and practical expertise in GIS and RS technology and applications. The structure provides considerable flexibility allowing students to quickly gain the GIS and RS knowledge and qualification they need today, and to add to their credentials at a later date if necessary. Students develop a capacity for independent research, problem analysis and solution. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding through formal coursework. Their research, analytical and problem-solving skills will be developed through analysis and the completion of a literature review. SPIE Asia - Pacific Remote Sensing WorkshopSPIE Asia - Pacific Remote Sensing Workshop, 17- 21 November 2008, Noumea, New Caledonia The focus of the 6th Asia Pacific Remote Sensing Symposium is “Remote Sensing for Island Ecosystem Management and the Diagnosis of Threats to the Global Environment” The website for registration is https://spie.org/app/registration/index.cfm?symposium=AE08 Source: SPIE Congress Workshop / Tutorial – Nov. 3, 2008 In conjunction with XXVIII INCA International Congress on COLLABORATIVE MAPPING & SPACE TECHNOLOGY

• Internet GIS –This new medium has already led to more interactive forms of mapping and the increased availability of map including animations. Get an insight of Web GIS.

• Open Source GIS – Breaking the Barriers – Open source technology in field of GIS / Cartography is going to impact the society by its coverage and open formats. Join this to know how?

• Collaborative Mapping Using High Resolution Images – High resolution satellite images play a major role in cartography and GIS using advantage of wide coverage and repeativity on the same area. Get in-depth knowledge from international expert.

Further information is available from http://www.cmap.org.in/ One-day tutorial hyperspectral remote sensing; 13 November 2008; Colombo, Sri Lanka Organized by International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) parallel to the 29th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS 2008, http://survey.gov.lk/acrs2008/). Of the 20 places available 15 are reserved for ITC alumni. The course is fully sponsored by ITC and no tuition fee or additional costs are charged for this course. Participants need to provide their own travel arrangements and accommodation including costs.

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

Participants in this one-day tutorial will be exposed to the basic physics of spectroscopy and learn how to interpret spectra derived in the laboratory and field and integrate these with image data. The full processing chain from data acquisition through calibration up to thematic mapping will be covered in the tutorial. Elective case studies will serve to instruct participants into the use and application of hyperspectral data covering real life examples from the fields of geology and exploration, environmental sciences, geoengineering, vegetation science, agriculture and water quality studies. http://www.itc.nl/news_events/archive/alumni/_registration_sriLanka/default.aspx http://www.itc.nl/news_events/archive/alumni/_registration_sriLanka/_pdf/leaflet_hyperspectral_ACRS2008.pdf Penn State University's Geospatial Education Portfolio

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includes online programs in geographic information systems and geospatial intelligence. Each program is designed to help give cutting-edge skills to working professionals and encourages interaction with highly-respected faculty. http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/GEP.shtml?cid=DIRKLH14771

Info-Activism Camp: 19-25 February 2009, Bangalore, India Are you interested in using mobile phones to reach out to your community but don't know how? Do you produce reports full of crucial data but feel like the right people aren't reading them? Do you know that using the internet and mobile phones for your advocacy work can create security vulnerabilities but don't know how to protect yourself against them? Do you want to learn how to use digital advocacy to create change? The Info-Activism camp will bring together 120 rights advocates from the global South with technologists, designers and activists for a week long hands-on workshop to share skills, tools and tactics in digital advocacy. Info-Activism is an approach to advocacy that recognises the artful use of information and communications as a primary tactic in successful campaigns. If you are interested in applying for the camp, write to infoactivism@tacticaltech.org to receive an application form, or complete the application information at http://www.informationactivism.org/howtoapply#pagetop and send by email. Deadline for applications: 1 November 2008. http://www.informationactivism.org/home Back to contents

Funding Opportunities, Awards, Grants As reported in the September edition of the newsletters applications for the 52°North Open Source Initiative Student Innovation Prize are open until the November 30, 2008. Please refer to Student Innovation Prize Source: http://52north.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=213&Itemid=148 The 8th Geospatial Solutions Applications Contest Enter the Geospatial Solutions Applications Contest for your chance to win GeoExpress Tools software from LizardTech, a GPS Bluelogger with X5.2 Professional software from DeLorme, or an ERDAS TITAN GeoHuPlus, top entries will be published on the Geospatial Solutions Web site. To enter submit a 500-word (approx) description of your innovative or cost-effective application of geospatial technologies, use the form and instructions available from:

Map b!

http://www.geospatial-solutions.com/applicationsContest (Source: Geospatial Solutions)

NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge - Over $5.25 million in cash and prizes is up for grabs in this year's NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge, the premier event in the LBS industry. Winners receive unparalleled recognition and marketing exposure to launch their mobile LBS application. Register for any of three regions: the Americas;

Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA); APAC (Asia-Pacific) at www.LBSChallenge.com.

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

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Employment Opportunities

No items under this title for this issue. Back to contents

Conferences, Events

Call for Papers for GSDI 11 Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 15-19 June 2009 - all FULL PAPERS submitted to this joint conference arriving on of before 1 December 2008 will be considered for inclusion in a refereed BOOK to be distributed at the conference or in a refereed SPECIAL ISSUE of the International Journal of Spatial Data Infrastructure Research (IJSDIR) to be published after the conference. Additional full papers received by 1 April 2009 also will be considered for the Special Issue of IJSDIR. Source: http://gsdi.org/gsdi11/papers.html For upcoming events of global or major international interest, please visit the upcoming conference list on the GSDI website. Date Location Event October 2008 26 October – 1 November

Toyama, Japan XXXVIth Congress of IAH - Integrating Groundwater Science and Human Well-being Contact: iah2008@env.tsukuba.ac.jp.

November 2008

3-6 November Nanjing, China 4th World Urban Forum Organized by UN-Habitat. 4-6 November

Ahmedabad/ Gandhinagar, India

XXVIII INCA International Congress on COLLABORATIVE MAPPING & SPACE TECHNOLOGYContact: inca2008@rediffmail.com Websitehttp://www.cmap.org.in/

4-7 November “NEW”

Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

Symposium on Forest Monitoring. The full agenda is available at www.dpi.inpe.br/geoforest

5-7 November Irvine, CA, USA 16th ACM SIGSPATIAL International ConferenceAbstract Submission: CLOSED

10-14 November

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS) 2008 Abstract submission CLOSED

11-13 November

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Third Annual International Airport Geographic Information Systems Conference, http://www.aviationnews.net/

13-14 November

Seoul, South Korea

3D Geo-Information Workshop

15-16 November “NEW” 16-18 November

Kathmandu, Nepal Kathmandu, Nepal

GMBA workshop: Geostatistics and Biodiversity Information in the Himalayas 2008 http://gmba.unibas.ch/workshops/kathmandu.htm In collaboration with International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), this workshop is linked to the International Mountain Biodiversity Conference on 'Biodiversity and Land Use, Biosphere Reserves and Transboundary Parks under Natural and Human Pressures of Global Change', 2008, http://www.icimod.org

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

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16-20 November “NEW”

Denver, Colorado 17th William T Pecora Memorial Remote Sensing Symposium http://www.asprs.org/Pecora17/American Society for Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing (ASPRS)

17 - 21 November

Noumea, New Caledonia

Asia Pacific Remote Sensing 2008

18-19 November

Canberra, Australia

Asia Pacific Spatial Innovation Conference 2008 (APSIC)

25-26 November “NEW”

Marrakech, Morocco

Conference on Climate change in the Maghreb: thresholds and limits to adaptation http://www.ucam.ac.ma/ccam/ccamaccueil.html Workshop Themes: Theme 1: Understanding ecosystem thresholds in climate change in the Maghreb Theme 2: Adaptation Catalyst Metrics; indicators for measuring the effectiveness of adaptation Theme 3: What are the institutional changes required to address climate change? Theme 4: Free thematic areas The CCAM Workshop will provide travel assistance to a limited number of workshop participants who are in need for financial assistance to attend the workshop. These partial awards may cover some (but not all) of the following items: travel to Marrakech, hotel, and per diem. The applicants are expected to be able to finance their own expenses and or receive support from another organization to cover at least one element of the mentioned expenses. Funding available for travel assistance is limited and will be given on need base and will require acceptance of an abstract and active involvement in the workshop activities. Priority will be given to: Researcher scientists, students, advocates, educators, regulators, and practitioners from the Maghreb countries; Participants with accepted workshop abstracts.

26-30 November

Tunis, Tunisia. Tunisian Association of the Digital Geographic Information Website: http://www.geotunis.org

29-30 November

Islamabad, Pakistan

2nd international Conference on advances in Space Technology ICAST

December 2008

2-4 December Shanghai, China GEO Expo China Contact: sales@chinageo-expo.com.

1-2 December

Bangkok, Thailand

2nd International Conference on Geoinformation Technology for Natural Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Abstracts Due: CLOSED, Full Paper Deadline: October 15, 2008

1-5 December “NEW”

Nairobi, Kenya Integrated Space Technology Applications for Monitoring Climate Change. More information at http://www.space.gov.za/ or http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/SAP/sched/index.html

2-5 December

Suva, Fiji The Pacific Island GIS&RS User Conference. Details available from http://www.picisoc.org/

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

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3-5 December “NEW” 2 December 1-5 December

Valencia, Spain the 4th gvSIG Conference, organized by the Regional Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (CIT). Eclipse Day the Open Geospatial Consortium Meeting Registrations are free of cost (limited capacity) and must be done through the application form on the Conference web page ( http://www.jornadasgvsig.gva.es/ingl/boletindeinscripcion/ ). Registration requests made by e-mail, telephone or fax will not be attended. Once the registration is done you will immediately receive a confirmation code. Please, keep this code for later consultations or for update the registration data. At the end of the conferences the participants, including present public, will receive a Participation Certificate.

4-6 December

Hanoi, Vietnam

International Joint GIS-IDEAS AND PNC/ECAI Conference GeoInformatics for Spatial-Infrastructure Development in Earth and Allied Sciences (GIS-IDEAS) 2008 Abstracts Due: CLOSED

9-12 December

Hanoi, Vietnam 15th Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-15)Online registration https://www.prime-intl.co.jp/aprsaf15/registration.html to be completed no later than October 24, 2008.

February 2009 9 – 11 February “NEW”

Pretoria, South Africa

International Workshop of Experts on Global Environmental Change (including Climate Change and Adaptation) in sub-Saharan Africa FIRST CIRCULAR AND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS The ICSU Regional Office for Africa, in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa, is organizing an international workshop of experts on Global Environmental Change (including Climate Change and Adaptation) in sub-Saharan Africa. Interested participants are requested to complete the attached registration form and return it to the indicated addresses by 19 December 2008. The workshop will take place at Roode Vallei Country Lodge in Pretoria, South Africa on 9 – 11 February 2009. The 2.5-day event will include 1 day of keynote lectures, discussion, poster sessions and networking, and 1.5 days of brainstorming on formulation of fundable projects from the ICSU ROA science plan on Global Environmental Change (including Climate Change and Adaptation) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Registration fees will be charged as follows: • Early registration (Payment by 16 January 2009): US$ 200 • Late registration (Payment after 16 January 2009): US$ 250.

All correspondence should be sent to: ICSU Regional Office for

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

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Africa Fax: +27(0)12-481-4273 , Email: d.nyanganyura@icsu-africa.org ; a.enow@icsu-africa.org ; b.mahlalela@icsu-africa.org ; k.potgieter@icsu-africa.org See EIS-AFRICA website for more information (www.eis-africa.org )

10-13 February

Hyderabad, India Map World Forum 2009 Contact: info@mapworldforum.org. To be held with Geospatial Science Forum 2009 Contact: giscience@gisdevelopment.netPaper Abstract Submission deadline closedPaper abstracts are invited for all technical sessions, seminars, forums and symposiums. Paper abstracts can be submitted online at the conference site www.mapworldforum.org. The theme of the conference this year is ‘Geospatial Technology for Sustainable Planet Earth’.

11-13 February

Hyderabad, India Location Summit 2.0 the first Global Summit on Positioning and Navigation scheduled for February 11 – 13, 2009, to be held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad, India. The theme for the three-day summit is "Towards Collaborative Model" that will bring together the pioneers, industry leaders and developers who are setting the direction for the future of location technologies and markets. http://www.locationsummit.com/summit/index.htmConference Brochure: http://www.locationsummit.com/summit/Location_Summit.pdfImportant Dates: Abstract submission – 20th October, 2008 Acceptance – 5th November, 2008 Full Paper – 15th December, 2008 Author Registration – 30th December, 2008

March 2009 2-6 March Tahiti 11th Pacific Science Inter-Congress Theme: “Pacific countries

and their ocean facing local and global changes”. Abstract deadline: October 2008.

9-13 March “NEW”

Baltimore, Maryland

2009 Annual Conference American Society for Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing (ASPRS)http://www.asprs.org/baltimore09/index.html

15-22 March Istanbul, Turkey 5th World Water Forum Contact: m.giard@worldwatercouncil.orgMay 2009 3-8 May

Eilat, Israel

FIG Working Week and XXXII General Assembly – New Horizons across the Red Sea – Surveyors Key Role in Accelerated Development Contact: fig@fig.net.

25-29 May “NEW”

Chengdu, China EOGC2009 (the Second International Conference on Earth Observation for Global Changes) Website: http://www.eogc2009.com.cn/). co-sponsored by ISPRS (International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing), ICA (International Cartographic Association), IAG (International Association of Geodesy), and ISDE (International Society for Digital Earth). The local hosts include Pekjing University and some other regional universities in Chengdu.

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

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We invite you to submit a paper. In addition to regular sessions, we are planning a student paper competition session; one or more awards will be provided to the best student papers. The conference sponsors will also provide funding to partially reimburse registration fees, lodging, and travel for students whose papers are accepted into this student session. The deadline for abstract submission will be on 1 December 2008, and full paper submissions are due on 15 January 2009. All submitted papers are subject to a double-blind review, and some of the accepted papers will be published in the Proceedings of SPIE on Earth Observation for Global Changes (EI indexed). In addition, we are planning to publish three journal theme issues (International Journal of Applied Earth Observations and Geoinformation, Marine Geodesy, and IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing) and a dedicated book (Springer, http://www.springer.com) with some of the best papers presented at EOGC2009. The Conference sponsor will organize a field-trip to Wenchuan, the epicenter of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake measured at 8.0 M ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Sichuan_earthquake ) You may obtain further information from the conference web site = ( http://www.eogc2009.com.cn/ ) Should you have any question please feel free to contact me. Xianfeng Zhang, Ph.D., Conference Secretariat, EOGC2009 Institute of Remote Sensing & GIS, Peking University Beijing 100871, China Tel: 86-10-62759123 Email: xfzhang@pku.edu.cn

June 2009 15-19 June Theme: Spatial Data Infrastructure Convergence - Building SDI Bridges to address Global Challenges

Rotterdam, The Netherlands Information: http://www.gsdi.org/gsdi11 (English) and http://www.gsdi11.nl (Dutch)

11th International Conference on Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI 11) The first call for papers is published at http://www.gsdi.org/gsdi11/papers.html. Please, visit http://www.gsdi.org/gsdi11 for more information. If you want to secure your participation in the GSDI 11 World Conference, it is now possible to register here as well! DEADLINES: 1 December, 2008 and 1 April, 2009 Contact information: PCO agency GSDI 11 (BlomBerg Instituut/Geonovum) Esther Stukker, tel. +31 (0)73 - 684 25 25 and e-mail: e.stukker@geonovum.nl

July 2009 7-11 July “NEW”

Cape Town, South Africa

2009 IEEE International Geoscience & Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) www.igarss09.org

13-17 July “UPDATED”

San Diego, CA, USA

29th ESRI International User Conference The deadline for abstract submissions has been extended to November 14, 2008: Abstracts can be submitted at www.esri.com/ucpapers

August 2009

Spatial Data Infrastructure Asia & the Pacific Newsletter

4 - 7 August

Bali - Indonesia

10th South East Asian Survey Congress (SEASC ’09) Hosted by Bakosurtanal (Indonesia’s land information agency) Contact: dkirana@bakosurtanal.go.id

3-14 August

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

XXVII General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union

October 2009 19-22 October

Hanoi, Vietnam 7th FIG Regional Conference Conference Website: http://www.fig.net/vietnam/ awaiting Timeline for registration and submission of abstracts, papers, and presentations Electronic submission of papers by June 2009

26-29 October “NEW”

Kampala Uganda AFRICAGIS 2009; International Conference Theme of the conference “GEO-SPATIAL INFORMATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA; FACING CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL CHANGE” http://www.africagis2009.org/

November 2009

15-22 November

Santiago, Chile XXVI International Cartographic ConferenceFirst call for papers: http://www.icc2009.cl/pdf/First_Call_for_Paper_ICC2009.pdfDeadline for Abstracts: 16 January, 2009

April 2010 11-16 April

Sydney, Australia

International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Congress 2010 Contact: info@isaust.org.au.

Back to contents To subscribe to SDI-AP, please do so online at http://www.gsdi.org/newslist/gsdisubscribe.asp. To contact the editor please email sdi-ap@gsdi.org, Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Association, http://www.gsdi.org. Please mention SDI-AP as a source of information in correspondence you may have about items in this issue. DISCLAIMER: The Editor and Web Host will not be held liable for any errors, mistakes, misprints or incorrect information. Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.

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