Spatial data infrastructures as complex adaptive systems

Many researchers throughout the world have been struggling to better understand and describe Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs). Our knowledge of the real forces and mechanisms behind SDIs is still very limited. The reason for this difficulty might lie in the complex, dynamic and multifaceted nature of SDIs. To evaluate the functioning and effects of SDIs we must have a proper theory and understanding of their nature. This paper describes a new approach to understanding SDIs by looking at them through the lens of Complex Adaptive Systems. Complex Adaptive Systems (CASs) are frequently described by the following features and behaviours: complexity, components, self-organization, openness, unpredictability, nonlinearity and adaptability, scale-independence, existence of feedback loop mechanism and sensitivity to initial conditions. In this article both CAS and SDI features are presented, examined and compared using three National SDI case studies from the Netherlands, Australia and Pol...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: GIS
• Authors: L. Grus, Joep Crompvoets, A. K. Bregt
• Keywords: Automated Reasoning, CASs, Complex Adaptive Systems, GIS 2010, SDIs