Projects / Programmes
Geoinformation infrastructure and sustainable spatial development of Slovenia
January 1, 2018
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.17.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Geodesy |
|
| 5.08.00 |
Social sciences |
Urbanism |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P515 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geodesy |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.07 |
Engineering and Technology |
Environmental engineering
|
| 5.07 |
Social Sciences |
Social and economic geography |
Geodesy, Geodetic Reference System, Geodetic Surveying, Geodetic Engineering, Mass Acquisition of Spatial Data, Earth Observations, Cartography, GIS, Spatial data Infrastructure, Land Registry, Land Development, Spatial Planning Spatial Development of Slovenia
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
June 28, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
378 |
3,734 |
3,296 |
8.72 |
| Scopus |
508 |
4,948 |
4,359 |
8.58 |
Researchers (36)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
A spatial data infrastructure (SDI) or a geoinformation infrastructure is one of the key infrastructures of the modern society. It combines technologies, institutions, and policies for the acquisition and use of spatially defined information for local, regional, and global decision-making. SDI’s foundation is spatial data and information allowing for effective management and spatial decision-making. In this context, geodesy has a special role, since it provides a mathematical and physical foundation for describing and modeling space in appropriate reference coordinate systems, and is engaged in the acquisition and presentation of spatial data at the highest quality level. Our research activities will be conducted in five strongly correlated areas.
In the field of geodetic reference systems it has to be emphasized that modern technologies such as GNSS and Earth’s observations from space, air, and ground require the establishment of a high-quality geodetic reference system. Earth observations, monitoring of spatial changes and spatial planning are not possible without the use of many technologies for Earth observation, which can be dealt with only in the frame of a reference coordinate system. In this area, we will continue to develop the national coordinate system in Slovenia.
In the field of surveying and engineering geodesy we will deal with various aspects of using modern measurement technology, including aggregation of data from several measurement sensors in static and kinematic modes, and with the development of new deformation analysis models for use in geodesy.
Scientific development in the field of mass acquisition of spatial data is extremely fast; one of the main challenges is unmanned flying systems, which are a cheaper and more flexible form of remote and massive spatial data acquisition. A special attention will be given to data acquisition and quality assurance processes, which is becoming an important scientific and research topic.
In the field of spatial informatics we will deal with the modelling, analysis, and presentation of the increasingly complex built and natural environments in 2D and 3D digital environments within GIS. A special research challenge will be temporal modelling of the real world.
In the field of land management and spatial planning, spatial data are an important source of information. Complex rearrangements of land are particularly challenging, such as land consolidation, allocation of civil engineering works and spatial planning in general.
The research will focus on the development of the concepts that are generally applicable and of high interest for the global geo-information scientific community. In fact, the scientific progress in this area is a major challenge at the national, European, and international levels. The activities under this research program will be also focused on the development of geoinformation infrastructure in Slovenia in order to improve its quality.
Significance for science
Rapid technological development of spatial data acquisition and processing as well as increasing demands of the society for high-quality data bring about various scientific and research challenges. The objective of this research program will be to follow the technological changes to introduce the best possible solutions. Spatial data and geoinformation infrastructure research requires the development of concepts for combining large amounts of data as well as harmonization of providers and users of spatial data in many areas.
Geodesy has a special place in the field of spatial data infrastructure since it provides the reference basis for all spatial data. Its basis is a good-quality geodetic reference coordinate system that enables the creation of precise, accurate, reliable, and time dependent geometric models of space, including its physical properties. The geodetic reference system and the data related to it are the foundation for all Earth-based scientific disciplines, like geology, seismology, geophysics, physics of the atmosphere, hydrology, and others, and all the sciences concerned with space, like geodesy, civil engineering, agriculture, forestry, transport, water sciences, etc. High-quality data within the reference system are the basis for effective decision-making in spatial planning, flood and earthquake risk assessment, provision of land for food production and construction, and other activities and developments in space.
In all the topics mentioned, the quality of data is essential. Only a high-quality spatial data infrastructure provides regional and global connectivity. With development of technologies for spatial data acquisition at global (GNSS, satellite systems for Earth observation) and local levels (aerial laser scanning, terrestrial laser scanning, unmanned air systems, field geodesy, etc.), and technologies for data transfer and exchange, spatial and temporal harmonization of data is becoming an increasingly important research topic. However, the possibility to achieve these goals is highly dependent on the realistic data quality assessment.
A realistic assessment of the quality of spatial data requires a high-quality reference system, which will be further developed for Slovenia. We will develop the horizontal and height geokinematic models of Slovenian territory and combine them together, which will provide a comprehensive insight into the geodynamics of Slovenian territory. Both geokinematic models are important from the geodetic point of view, since they allow the establishment of the time-dependent coordinate system. They are also an important input for models assessing seismic risk.
Advanced deformation analysis methods will be developed for the monitoring of critical infrastructure. In doing so, we will be using geodetic measurements combined with data from various sensors. This development will focus both on static and kinematic applications.
The use of unmanned air systems, i.e. a new technology for spatial data acquisition, is a rare opportunity to join the mainstream research activities worldwide. The objective is to strive for the development of new and original solutions that are based on scientific approaches since the existing solutions mostly do not have the scientific background necessary.
The development of 3D and 4D vector models also has great potential in defining new approaches, which target developing solutions for multifunctional spatial information systems. Modelling methods of spatial entities will be upgraded to give a multi-dimensional model of spatial phenomena, enabling advanced spatial analyses, improvement of models with semantic information and support to powerful location-based services. The comprehensive study of all the procedures and data quality assurance measures, from data acquisition by means of remote sensing to the final 3D models, is a major unsolved research challenge at the international level.
The immense potential for innovative and advanced solutions is a
Significance for the country
High-quality spatial data and solutions developed in geoinformatics will contribute significantly to the development of spatial data infrastructure, which has become one of the most important infrastructures of each country. This is demonstrated by the European INSPIRE directive, which was legally adopted also in the Republic of Slovenia. INSPIRE emphasizes the urgency of high-quality spatial data infrastructure for spatial planning and development, for dealing with natural and other disasters and risk management, and for protection of rights and control of the restrictions in land use and spatial management. The solutions proposed under this research program will also be used by several public institutions within their competences, particularly the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning with the Surveying and Mapping Authority and the Slovenian Environment Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Ministry of Defence with the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Ministry of Infrastructure, the Slovenian Maritime Administration, and other institutions that manage or use spatial data. Here we particularly emphasize the cooperation with the Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia, which provides the key spatial data infrastructure of Slovenia, represented by the national reference coordinate system, the topographic system, and real estate data registries.
We expect to find innovative solutions when dealing with the data obtained by remote sensing and crowd sourcing. The models for integrating data from various sources as well as a model for quality assurance of final products (3D and 4D models of spatial entities) will be important for the development of high-quality products in the geo-information market in Slovenia and internationally. Furthermore, we want to emphasize the development of multi-purpose 3D models that bring new challenges and opportunities to the market, from new approaches to spatial visualization to the new possibilities in the development of solutions to support decision-making and diverse location-based services.
Slovenian companies are increasingly using unmanned aerial systems (UASs) for acquisition of spatial data. As the use of this technology in surveying is fairly new, there is a lack of practical directions and technical regulations that would lay down the necessary implementing projects and methods for quality control of products. Further scientific research is necessary for such documents to be produced, which, even in the world, are not yet available. Professionals at all levels (especially in the industry) are expecting concrete proposals and guidelines stemming from the studies ? and as soon as possible. We already work closely with several companies developing software solutions in this area; some are award-winning innovative companies recognized domestically and internationally.
UASs can be successfully used also for documenting and monitoring natural and cultural heritage structures, for monitoring changes in the physical space as the result of natural disasters (landslides, floods, large fires), for monitoring human impacts or regular changes in space that are, in the long-term, a threat (erosion, torrential material transport, extension of vegetation areas, etc.). UAS products can be efficiently used for scientific analyses in different areas, in administrative monitoring of the natural and urban environment, tourism, sports, and recreation.
We cooperate with several companies at the development of systems for monitoring of stability of built and natural environment using surveying methods. With the companies dealing with energy restoration of the buildings we cooperate on the development of systems to produce 3D buildings models.
A clear and transparent spatial development and planning system is of a great importance to social development, as it impacts the general culture and development of the profession. Unfortunately we still
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
