Spatial data infrastructure
The purpose of Act No. 44/2011 on the Infrastructure for Digital Spatial Information is to develop and maintain a national spatial data infrastructure managed by public authorities and to ensure access for both the government and the general public to spatial data on Iceland. The act aims to promote increased utilization and improved quality of spatial data.
The legislation is based on the INSPIRE Directive of the European Union, which calls for the establishment of a harmonized infrastructure for digital spatial information across Europe and improved access to publicly owned spatial data. In line with this directive, Icelandic law stipulates that the spatial data infrastructure shall consist of the technology, policies, standards, and human resources necessary for the collection, processing, dissemination, and general use of digital spatial data.
The technical requirements and implementation of the act are further detailed in regulation No. 390/2012 on metadata for digital spatial data and regulation No. 414/2014 on digital spatial data.
The law applies to all spatial data collected, maintained, and disseminated by public institutions and municipalities in Iceland, except where exemptions apply under the Information Act No. 140/2012. Additionally, Act No. 45/2018 on the Re-use of Public Sector Information supports the implementation of the spatial data infrastructure legislation.
The Natural Science Institute of Iceland is responsible for implementing the act and overseeing the operation, maintenance, and technical development of the spatial data portal, known as the Kortagluggi, which provides open access to digital spatial data and related information.
The Kortagluggi offers the following services:
- Metadata service, allowing users to search for digital spatial data and related services
- Viewing service, enabling users to explore the data, their explanations, and metadata—navigate, zoom, pan, and overlay
- Download service, allowing users to download copies of digital spatial data or access them directly, in whole or in part
- Transformation service, enhancing data interoperability by transforming spatial data into a common coordinate system
- Service for activating various web services related to spatial data