From the Assessment of Spatial Data Infrastructure To the Assessment of Community of Practice: Advocating an Approach by Uses

Spatial data sharing mechanisms are an important asset to territorial communities. They help them understand and control their long term development. In this perspective, this paper suggests a novel approach of geodata appropriation processes based on diverse socio-cognitive theories. This approach suggests that the evolution of spatial data infrastructures from rough data exchange platforms towards geospatial learning networks, also termed “communities of practice”, and towards geo-collaboration platforms supporting co-decision may be a significant driver of added value. Thus, it is important to consider these new perspectives in the evaluation criteria and processes of spatial data infrastructures.