Netherlands Cadastral Geodata and Satellite Images To Be Released

Cadastre's geodata and satellite images to be released for re-use.

At the Innovation Estafette in Rotterdam on October 4th, the Dutch Government has announced two major data releases that will be forthcoming.

Up to date satellite images
First, the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation announced the creation of a national database for satellite images that will be available to the public and entrepreneurs. The Ministry is allocating 4 million Euros to create this database.

"With these images fantastic things can be done", said Minister Verhagen, "In a key sector such as agro-food you can use the satellite images in ways that computers on modern tractors can exactly indicate where and how much a farmer should spray water or pesticides."

The satellite image database will centrally procure images and then make them public cheaply and quickly.

Topographic data freely available
At the same time the Ministry for Infrastructure and Environment announced they will be contributing to the satellite database. Minister Schultz van Haegen will provide full access for free to the government's 'base registry' of topographic data, maintained by the cadastre, starting January 1st, 2012. At the moment access to the full database costs 50.000 Euro.

Open Data important for economic growth
Minister Verhagen for Economic Affairs stressed the importance of open data for economic growth, and the Ministry is and will be stimulating other public sector bodies to release more data. "We can more often provide data freely. With that data smart entrepreneurs can create new markets and boost the economy."

Source: rijksoverheid.nl [via]