How do Free and Open Geodata and Open Standards fit together ?

Currently we encounter two trends within the broader GI community: one is the move to web-based applications based on open standards as defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) resulting in more flexible and interoperable solutions. The other is the raise of the prosumer-oriented GeoWeb2.0, with its user generated content. Goodchild (2007) gives an overview of these global collaborations with respect to geographic information. He calls the phenomenon Voluntary Geographic Information (VGI). One of the most striking examples of VGI is the OpenStreetMap (OSM) project. It aims at creating and collecting free vector geodata covering the whole planet. While the quality is still heterogeneous (Haklay et al 2008), we see already potential for real applications using this data. This paper will point out, why VGI and open standards fit together by complementing one another. We will have a look on the problems of using heterogeneous data in terms of pre-processing and show some possibilities, how to use the potential of VGI and other free geodata in combination with OGCStandards. Free and open geodata in combination with open standards In most European countries geodata is provided either by public or commercial institutions. On the one hand this geodata claims to be of high quality in the sense of accuracy, actuality and homogenous integrity. On the other hand this kind of data tends to be very expensive and therefore isn’t suitable for many private or scientific initiatives with the intention to provide new kinds of innovative services in the broader field of geoinformation and communication technologies. Although there is a broad community of engaged people interested in providing open source software for all kinds of geodata processing, analyzing, visualization and distribution, the use of those creative masses for the development of innovative applications often is limited by the lack of affordable data. Here comes the recently often discussed volunteered geographic information into play. Is VGI an alternative to fill software with data and thus turn it into useful applications? The answer to this question cannot be unambiguous. There may be critical requirements concerning the data quality, e.g. in security-domains, but in many cases, yes, it can be an option as shown later in this paper by some examples. Each application has its own needs of data quality, so you have to weigh the pros