07-17, 17:30–18:15 (Europe/Sarajevo), EL11 (Geosolutions)
Open data is data that is publicly and freely available, and is intended for reuse for a commercial and/or non-commercial purpose. With its wide application in the public, non-profit, and business sectors, open data is a key driver of societal development, enhancing the quality of life, economy, and overall growth and development. As part of the European data strategy, the EU promotes an open data policy. This policy concerns EU institutions, agencies, and bodies, as well as the Member States, which are encouraged to make as much data available for reuse as possible. The Open Data Directive sets the framework and directs Member States towards establishing their national open data online portals. In the geospatial data domain, INSPIRE Directive in 2007 made a tremendous push towards open geospatial data. It was complemented with Open Data Directive and The High-Value Datasets (HVD) Implementing Regulation in 2024. There is no doubt that Open data can help bring diverse benefits to governments in terms of better decisions and strategies, businesses in terms of opening businesses and jobs, and civil society in terms of better and pleasant life. However, in the light of recent disturbing events (e.g. war in Ukraine, situation in the Middle East), the question arises: should all data, especially geospatial, be open or not? Is there a risk that data will be misused? What will be the consequences?
Vlado Cetl has been a full professor in the Department of Geodesy and Geomatics of the University North in Varaždin, Croatia, since 2021. Before joining University North, he worked for the European Commission at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy, and as an associate professor at the Faculty of Geodesy of the University of Zagreb, Croatia. His main professional interests are spatial information management, spatial data infrastructures, cadastre, land management, geoinformatics, GIS and risk management.