IDE-OTALEX C: The First cross border Special Data Infrastructure between Portugal and Spain

Abstract

In 2007 it was created the first cross-border Spatial Data Infrastructure between Portugal and Spain (IDE-OTALEX - www.ideotalex.eu), called Territorial and Environmental Observatory of Alentejo and Extremadura, which in 2011 included the Centro region of Portugal. Thus, the Territorial Observatory Alentejo-Extremadura-Center (OTALEX C) emerged, enabling the integration of the information produced by the institutions that develop their skills in these three regions, which in total cover about 92.500 km², in the aim of planning and land management.

With the objective of monitoring and analyze the changes resulting from natural and human activity on the territory and the data availability to agents who work in this territory, a system of common indicators was developed, distributed over five vectors (territorial, environmental, social, economic and sustainability). The data have undergone homogenization and standardization of work before being presented through map viewing clients, place names and catalog consultation within the INSPIRE directive.

The SDI OTALEX C is the result of the effort, commitment and collaboration between border institutions, with implication at three administrative levels: national, regional and local. Gives an insight into the real situation of the territory, while it provides instruments to action policies that contribute to support the planning and land use planning in order to achieve sustainable development.