Thursday, 02 July 2020, 09:30-12:00 CEST

Connection details:

Agenda

TimeAgenda itemDocument(s)
09:30-09:35Welcome and approval of the agenda
09:35-09:40Minutes of the previous meetings (for discussion and agreement)
09:40 - 09:50INSPIRE virtual conference feedback
09:50 -10:20

Topics proposed by MIG-T members:

  • Re3gistry 2.0 - status update (proposed by Finland)
  • Impact of Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies on INSPIRE


10:20 - 10:35MIWP 2020 - 2024 "Towards a Common European Green Deal data space for environment and sustainability"
10:35 - 11:15
  • Updated procedure for INSPIRE “Good practices”
  • Status update of possible INSPIRE Good practices:
    • GeoJSON as an alternative encoding for INSPIRE data
    • SDMX
    • GeoPackage
    • Vector Tiles
    • SensorThings API
    • Coverages

11:15 - 11:50

MIWP actions status reports (ongoing activities only; max. 5 min. per action):


11:50 - 12:00


Draft Minutes

The minutes summarise the main conclusions and actions from the meeting. Actions are indicated in the minutes using check boxes and are tracked in the "Open actions" section below.

The meeting was chaired by JRC (M. Lutz, A. Kotsev) and attended by experts from AT, BE, DE, DK, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, IT, LU, MT, NO, NL, SE, SK, SL, SR, EEA, European Commission (DG ENV and DG JRC).

Agenda itemNotes / Actions
Welcome and approval of the agenda

The agenda is approved. A point on outstanding INSPIRE issues (proposed by SE) is added to the agenda under AOB.

Minutes of the previous meetings (for discussion and agreement)

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved without any proposals for changes.

INSPIRE virtual conference feedback
  • The conference was successful, with 31 sessions in 8 days, and 1200+ unique participants from 35 countries.
  • One surprising finding is that approximately 55% were first-time attendees of an INSPIRE conference. The reasons for attending were mainly the interesting program and the wish to learn new things. There were up to 305 attendees in a single session. Many people attended the conference because it was online.
  • Attendees were overall satisfied with the way the conference was run and its overall duration. The use of Sli.do as a good tool for interaction.
  • The 2021 conference will take place in Dubrovnik. Many MIG-T representatives shared the opinion that a hybrid approach with an online and face-to-face parts should be adopted in the future.

Topics proposed by MIG-T members:

Identification of Open data in the INSPIRE Geoportal

  • The motivation for this is the update of the SK infrastructure for improved creation and management of MD.
  • The presentation showed examples of approaches for tagging open data in the metadata. Some guidance on licenses, as well as on how to filter open data in the Geoportal would be welcome.

Data distributions for harmonised and non-harmonised datasets

  • Statistics from the Monitoring can be improved, because currently if MS are providing MD for both as-is datasets and harmonised datasets, this is lowering their statistics. Within the presentation, the feedback is positive on the approach presented at the MIG-T meeting in Prague, based on different distributions of the very same datasets and an investigation is ongoing on how this might look in practice. The issues are e.g. on what to declare in terms of compliance when documenting both resources in one single MD record.
  • Q&A
    • DE: as-is vs. harmonised data sets: An official statement of the Commission on how the monitoring results will be interpreted (e.g. which are the target indicator values) would help a lot.
  • JRC to discuss about a solution and propose an approach for the granularity of metadata (as-is and harmonised) before the next Monitoring and Reporting cycle.

Re3gistry 2.0 - status update

  • The development, testing and documentation of the Re3gistry software have been completed. JRC is currently preparing the software to be released in this GitHub repository under the EUPL. Target release date is July 20.
  • In terms of features, there are many improvements of the interface, functionality and documentation.
  • Some formats will not be included, but they could be integrated by the community given the open source nature of the SW.
  • Q&A
    • AT: security and certification of the software are very important for the uptake and reuse of the solution on the national level. JRC response is that the software follows strictly the security requirements of the European Commission and has already undergone security audit, i.e. it adheres to a high standard in terms of security.
    • Docker image: JRC would like to provide it, but it is not sure that it will be included in the first version of July 20. Clearly, the community is also welcome to create it.

Impact of Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies on INSPIRE

  • This is an important Directive of the Commission to make sure that 'no one is left behind', i.e. the Directive makes sure that user-friendly access to digital content for people with disability or impairment is ensured.
  • It's a general guideline for any information system and publishing content online, including for INSPIRE. However, it has no direct impact on INSPIRE: if applications for INSPIRE are developed, they should make sure these guidelines are received.
  • The INSPIRE Directive does not put any prejudice to Directive 2016/2102 so they are complementary (but the scope of the Directive 2016/2102 is much larger). Additional resource that would be helpful for providing content online in an inclusive manner is provided by the EC Internet Provider Guidelines (IPG): https://wikis.ec.europa.eu/display/WEBGUIDE/Europa+Web+Guide


MIWP 2020 - 2024 "Towards a Common European Green Deal data space for environment and sustainability"
  • An initial draft was shared with the MIG in April, and the Commission received substantial feedback from several MS. This was taken into consideration and lead to an updated version of the Work Programme (WP).
  • There are a number of interlinked objectives of the new WP: defining priority themes/datasets, work to maximise the availability of datasets and ensure interoperability, continue the work on simplification, and define a transition from the current legal framework to a digital ecosystem for the environment in line with the new political priorities, mainly the European Strategy for Data.
  • From these 5 objectives, there are 3 working areas and 6 core actions:
    1. Digital ecosystem for the environment and sustainability: this is on the creation of a new INSPIRE architecture as part of the Green Deal data space, use sandboxing, create a stack of good practices to modernize the architecture.
    2. This addresses the fact that INSPIRE implementation is heterogeneous, and does not allow to create pan-European datasets; this will liaise with other policy activities like PDS, HVD, etc. Also, we should avoid that there are parallel implementations in the MS, and we would like to provide indications/prioritisation of what should be done for which datasets. There is also an action on simplification, i.e. make sure off-the-shelf tools can be used, continue with the simplification of data-service linking. Action 2.4 is on the operation and maintenance of infrastructure components, we will try to lower as much as possible the maintenance effort (by using open source components, share the load with other partners, etc.)
    3. The last point is the legal action: there is a mandatory evaluation of the INSPIRE Directive by 1 January 2022, there is a need to align INSPIRE with other legislation. The proposed actions are the evaluation of the INSPIRE Directive, and the coherence with other Directives like the Open Data Directive.
  • Q&A
    • DK: is action 2.2 compliant with the INSPIRE Roadmap? All Annex III data sets have to be harmonized by October 2020 (legal obligation)? The answer is 'yes', the obligations remain the same.
    • DE: Will the on-going actions be included in the new MIWP? Continuity will be ensured between the new and old WP.
    • SK: when the INSPIRE WP 2020-2024 is foreseen to be stabilised/adopted? The revised document will be sent out shortly  and MS will have time to provide feedback until end of July; then a written procedure will start to have the endorsement by the end of August.
    • HR: Action 2.1 Correlation between priority data sets and high-value data sets and need-driven data priorisation. There is a lot of work already done, and these will provide inputs to this activity; in addition, input will be gathered by colleagues working on the Green Deal initiative.
  • Updated procedure for INSPIRE “Good practices”
  • Status update of possible INSPIRE Good practices:
    • GeoJSON as an alternative encoding for INSPIRE data
    • SDMX
    • GeoPackage
    • Vector Tiles
    • SensorThings API
    • Coverages

Updated procedure for INSPIRE “Good practices”

At the 11th MIG meeting an updated procedure for INSPIRE Good Practice (GP) was discussed and agreed upon. The new procedure is further simplified by introducing an intermediate level that is making Good Practices available in the INSPIRE Knowledge Base before having the implementation evidence. A second step is to endorse them when there is proof of implementation by some MS.

  • JRC to update the INSPIRE Knowledge Base in order to accommodate the logic of the new procedure for INSPIRE "Good Practices" by creating separate sub-sections for proposed and endorsed practices.

Q (NL): if a GP is endorsed, can it be used as an alternative? If it meets all the legal provisions in the IR, then yes; if there are certain limitations and the GP is only applicable under some specific conditions, then it is to be considered as an additional.

GeoJSON as an alternative encoding for INSPIRE data

So far, from the position of the Commission, the uptake of this alternative encoding seems limited.

  • SK has recently had an internal discussion at the national level where they got positive feedback on the available guidelines. A question is asked on the support provided by off-the-shelf software, which for GeoJSON is already very high.

SDMX

It was discussed and endorsed during the 11th MIG meeting. DG ESTAT is working  with many statistical offices that already provide datasets encoded as SDMX.

GeoPackage

  • DK presented slides to show relevant work on encoding INSPIRE AD data as GeoPackage (they made different views of their AD data, where INSPIRE AD is one view). They used the same model transformations defined for the GeoJSON work. They had some issues with data visualization in QGIS. There are still libraries that do not respect the axis order as defined by the coordinate reference system. Note: from version 6 and upwards, PROJ respects axis order.
  • The EEA reported that the new Environmental Noise Directive e-reporting workflows that are being prepared are also considering GeoPackage as a data encoding.
  • Italy has also some work ongoing on GeoPackage
  • GeoPackage encoding rule: https://github.com/IAAA-Lab/U2G/blob/master/GeoPackage/geopackage-encoding-rule.md

Vector Tiles

No information on ongoing work from MIG-T members.

SensorThings API

There are several implementations now put in place, e.g. in the BRGM, City of Hamburg (for air quality), Fraunhofer, etc. A GP is almost ready for submission with a target date of completion before the end of 2020. A workshop at the INSPIRE virtual conference provided details on the SensorThings API as an INSPIRE Download Service.

Coverages

  • There are inconsistencies between the INSPIRE conceptual data model and the implementation standard (OGC CIS). Some workshops have been already run in the past, including at the last INSPIRE Conference.
  • Coverages are used in 13 INSPIRE data themes, where OGC WCS and OGC SOS can be used to download the data.
  • The implementation proposal is to remove the INSPIRE extension and move it in the metadata; a candidate GP document is proposed and there are dedicated discussions in the Community Forum. Feedback from the community and data providers is welcome.

MIWP actions status reports (ongoing activities only; max. 5 min. per action):

2016.4 Theme-specific issues / Thematic Clusters

  • Vlado Cetl (JRC) is the new coordinator of the INSPIRE Community Forum.
  • JRC is currently discussing the sustainability of the Forum with the intention to put the focus on the content, and not on the technical infrastructure that is used. A proposal is currently being developed.
  • A "Community Forum" newsletter will be shared soon.

2016.5 Priority data sets / Thematic Viewer

  • A restructuring of the PDS list was presented at the latest INSPIRE MIG meeting; the list needs to be validated by the sub-group and will then be accepted.
  • Availability of PDS is being monitored using the Geoportal: there have been changes for some countries, especially in the number of download services; the specification of the spatial scope is working fine.
  • The work on e-reporting under the Environmental Noise Directive is progressing. A reporting model is being developed, and GeoPackage considered as a data encoding.
  • The functionalities of the Geoportal for PDS are stable.

2018.1 Monitoring and Reporting 2019

  • Results of the Monitoring and Reporting 2019 are summarized. It is highlighted that it has been a transition period, but results will be important to create a baseline for monitoring the infrastructure evolution in the coming years. Full details on the results can be accessed in this presentation given at the MIG webinar on and in the presentations given on at the 2020 online INSPIRE Conference (the video recording of the session is available here).
  • Overall, metadata conformity and dataset accessibility were around 30% on average but with a high variability across countries.
  • The INSPIRE tools (Geoportal and Validator) were improved a loto during the process, and there has been a positive interaction between the JRC Team and the MS representatives.
  • Country fiches have been updated and published in the IKB with some visualizations of the calculated indicators.
  • Only MD TG 2.0 will be considered for Monitoring and Reporting 2020.

2019.2 Improving availability of INSPIRE data

  • A significant part of the issues open in the Geoportal helpdesk have been addressed and/or closed.
  • In the short term, developments are focused on providing full support to MD TG 2.0.
  • Analysis of the approaches proposed in the past for data-service linking simplification is ongoing and might lead to a proposal for a Good Practice and the implementation in the Geoportal.
  • The long-term implementation roadmap will be defined with DG ENV and MS; the priority will be the (possible) integration with GeoNetwork.

INSPIRE Validation

  • Recent news on the INSPIRE Reference Validator are presented. These include: the webinar given at the INSPIRE 2020 online Conference, the release plan of the Validator, the new release (v.2020.2) of the Validator, an update on the ATS/ETS for Annex II/III Data Specifications, the release of the tool for bulk validation of metadata, and a new user interface of the Validator which is under development.
  • A network of INSPIRE validation National Contact Points will be formed based on the nominations received from MS (18 experts from 12 countries nominated so far); the kickoff meeting will be held in the week 13-17 July.

2020.1 INSPIRE Download services based on the OGC API - Features

  • It is agreed that the overview of the ongoing activities will be shared with participants through the MIG-T wiki and during the next 63rd MIG-T meeting.

Overview of ongoing work under ELISE

The Knowledge Transfer 2 ELISE action activity was quickly presented. This activity includes :

  • two ongoing studies providing evidence to the future INSPIRE evaluation and in general the future of SDIs
  • the design and production of a "location interoperability" boardgame
  • A methodology to extract synonyms of the INSPIRE spatial objects (bridging INSPIRE to other communities and domains)
  • ELISE webinar series programmed events. Stay tuned here.

Migration of INSPIRE schemas under HTTPS

  • All INSPIRE resources have been moved under a proxy that redirects from http to https, with the exception of the INSPIRE schemas.
  • Given that this migration will also happen for the schemas in 2021, and that some software cannot handle the redirection, it is important that the community starts using an https version of the schemas that the JRC will provide.

List of INSPIRE known issues

  • There are some longstanding issues that have to still be addressed. Some of them are addressed in the current proposed revision of the IR and should be fixed once the formal process is concluded.
  • A formal approach to bug fixing and change management should be put in place, including the roles and responsibilities of the different actors (MIG-T, MIG, Commission services, etc.). A yearly update cycle is currently being investigated.