Researching Frameworks for evolving Spatial Data Infrastructure

Technology and infrastructure both play key roles in achieving the optimisation of spatial data to support decision-making, in the spatial data community. Many institutional and technical initiatives have arisen in response to the increase in quantity and improving quality of spatial data to help users to structure the influx. However, there are persistent challenges to integrating institutional and technical solutions to optimise the utilisation of available spatial data. Embracing and continuing to develop a flexible, methodological, framework for the integration of decision-supporting technologies with infrastructure is fundamental to supporting effective incorporation of spatial data in decision-making. This paper reviews the nature of current developments of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) and Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) and discusses issues pertinent to the optimisation of spatial data utilisation, access and management to support spatial decision making environments. A research procedure is proposed to investigate the hypothesis that increasing the functionality of SDIs to support the use of spatial data for decisionmaking can be facilitated by developing methods for the integration of SDSS. Literal and meta-level models are developed of the data flows between SDSS, SDIs and decision makers from data gathered via a case study methodology. The research will provide the means for designing a methodological framework that will enable integration of SDSS by SDIs to enhance facilitation of the capacity for spatial data utilisation in decision-making.