Maria Andrzejewska
Director
UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre
Poland



BIO
Maria Andrzejewska is director of UNEP/GRID-Warsaw in Poland since August 2008. She served as the Vice Director of UNEP/GRID-Warsaw previously and also as a specialist at the Institute of Geodesy and Cartography, as well as Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Science. She has a Masters of Science in Geography from the University of Warsaw focusing on cartography and remote sensing. Maria worked for many years as a GIS expert, specializing in data processing, analysis and geovisualisation of environmental data. She coordinated data collection and map production for a number of projects and reports (including selected EEA’s publications). She is EIONET NRC Land cover expert and member of the INSPIRE TWG Land Use. More recently, she has focused on environmental management, biodiversity and public participation in spatial planning as a significant support for nature conservation. Balancing the needs to maintain biodiversity without compromising the needs of people is best done through public participation in spatial planning and collaboration.

ABSTRACT
The role of Geo-information in Participatory Environmental Management
Wide access to spatial data and geoinformation technology changed significantly approach to the methodology and practice of environmental management. Preparation of management plans for Natura 2000 sites, areas where certain economic activities can be carried out, engage a wide range of stakeholders like decision makers, experts, business, local communities and others. Thus, the use of geoinformation in the process of management plans preparation brings a number of benefits. What are the possibilities, what kind of benefits and how to measure them? Efficient geo-participatory environmental planning is a challenge. Thanks to INSPIRE Directive broad access to spatial data in Europe open up new possibilities. Together with those new opportunities new requirements arise, like data harmonisation and capacity building. Widespread use of geoinformation in environmental management, supported by the sound public participation is indisputably beneficial for the environment and authorities responsible for the management of protected areas. Quantifying these benefits is certainly a challenge.

Dr. Richard Bernknopf
Research Professor
Department of Economics
University of New Mexico
USA


BIO
Richard L. Bernknopf is a Research Professor at the University of New Mexico. Before joining the faculty at UNM, Dr. Bernknopf was an economist with the USGS for more than thirty-­-eight years. Dr. Bernknopf's research focuses on the demonstration of the relevance (value to society) of natural science information including earth observation and the translation of that information into a form compatible with decision-­-making processes. During his tenure at USGS, he was a consulting professor and co-­-director of the Center for Earth Science Information Research at Stanford University, and co-­-director of the Spatial Integration Laboratory for Urban Systems at the University of Pennsylvania. Currently he is associated with the Science Impact Laboratory for Policy and Economics at the University of New Mexico and the Wharton Geospatial Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania.

ABSTRACT
Foundations, Methods and Case Studies for Assessing Socio-Economic Benefits
This tutorial provides a conceptual basis for the analysis of the societal benefits of geospatial data. The framework for decisions must be able to evaluate the most useful attributes of information, its most useful qualities (precision, accuracy), and the barriers to using information. We consider several questions when weighing the pros and cons of investment decisions for geospatial information:

• What is meant by “value?” By “benefit?”
• What rules should be followed for a valid evaluation?
• Does the investment demonstrate an increase in the efficiency of the allocation of resources?
The presenters will represent two significant points of view regarding a general efficiency approach to societal benefits estimation. The economist takes a behavioral approach that integrates natural science and economics to evaluate the effect of government investment in geospatial and remote sensing data. The civil engineer takes an engineering-economics approach that builds use cases from documentable details of a project, demographic information and external research results. Both approaches can be extrapolated to broader societal return on investment. Each analytical approach will be illustrated by examples, followed by a discussion focused on which approach is best for the issue or decision faced by the decision maker.

Hans Roozekrans
Senior Advisor R&D and Co-ordinator International Relations
KNMI
The Netherlands



ABSTRACT
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Meteorological and Climatological Services
Meteorological and climatological information is important for governments, businesses and individuals. Based on international research an initial estimate can be obtained of the possible value for the Dutch society. In national studies from Europe, Australia and the United States the value of weather and climate information has been estimated. Studies show differences in methodology, considered sectors and accuracy. Nevertheless, the results show a uniform picture: the benefits of weather and climate information outweigh the costs by far. The benefit-cost ratios for weather and climate services are exceptionally high. Often analyzed sectors are transport, agriculture and construction industry. The public sector benefits as well from good weather services. Value is created primarily by avoiding harm to people and goods and by achieving efficiency gains. Furthermore, users and private households experience large gains in the daily use of weather information. Finally, savings can be achieved by adjusting to climate change better. Climate and weather information in the Netherlands is provided by the national meteorological service KNMI and private companies. The KNMI is the most important supplier, in cooperation with organizations in neighbouring countries, as it comes to basic (source) data. The total production (turnover) of the KNMI in 2012 amounted to almost € 50 million. The size of the private meteo sector in the Netherlands is about € 20 million. Based on of cost-benefit ratios from individual country studies and the total output (say € 70 million) a rough estimation of benefits of weather and climate information in the Netherlands is made: a bandwidth ranging from at least € 338 million to nearly € 3,000 million. The size of the benefits is largely determined by the considered value drivers.

Massimo Craglia
Digital Earth and Reference Data Unit
European Commission Joint Research Centre





BIO
Massimo (Max) Craglia is a Senior Scientist at the European Commission Joint Research Centre. HE is a member of the INSPIRE Coordination Team, with responsibility in the field of metadata, and is scientific coordinator of the EuroGEOSS and GEOWOW FP7 Integrated Projects. He is currently leading a project at the JRC on methods to validate information provided through social network in the context of forest fires. Prior to joining the JRC in 2005, Massimo was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield, and participated in several European projects in the field of Geographic Information including GINIE, and MADAME, and was the coordinator of the GISDATA scientific program funded by the European Science Foundation.

ABSTRACT
INSPIRE, the infrastructure for spatial environmental information in Europe is reaching this year a major milestone with the completion of the legal framework necessary to make the data and services needed for environmental policy in Europe discoverable, accessible and interoperable. INSPIRE is primarily designed to support environmental policy and policies that affect the environment, but the financial crisis requires that we look at the investments made in data and research infrastructures to deliver also innovation, growth and jobs. There is strong belief that opening access to data will deliver substantial benefits to society, but the evidence to date remains limited. Hence, the effort to create a community of practice among researchers in this field to share the experience and build a robust portfolio of evidence and methods.As a contribution to this global effort, I will illustrate the results of a survey among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Europe on the benefits they derive from INSPIRE and more in general from increased access to environmental and spatial information. The survey has taken place in 2012 in the context of the smeSPIRE, a project specifically designed to assess the impact of INSPIRE on innovation and growth.

Mary Ann Stewart
Principal
Engineering
USA



BIO
Stewart formed her company in 2002 to provide business development, research and analysis services to the geospatial community. Her geospatial research projects include the Geospatial Information Technology Association’s ROI/Business Case project, the Federal Geospatial Data Consortium’s CAP Grant projects to the States, and ROI case studies of geospatial projects funded by GeoConnections, a Canadian Federal organization. Other business activities include consulting services in the area of data acquisition and conversion for utilities, business development for small firms in the Federal marketplace, and market research for the utility information technology market. Before starting her own business, Ms. Stewart was manager of data acquisition for an investor-owned gas and electric utility, UtiliCorp/Aquila. She also provided financial and environmental analysis supporting Aquila Merchant Services’ development of gas turbine power plants. Her work with geospatial technology began upon joining the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Headquarters office in 1990, where she worked with 3D GIS and scientific visualization displays associated with air dispersion modeling. She later created a GIS and visualization group for Midwest Research Institute (now MRI Global), where activities grew to include groundwater modeling and environmental assessments.

Frank Hanssen
GIS Analyst and Coordinator
Norweigian Institute of Nature Research
Norway



BIO
Frank Hanssen is a GIS- Analyst and Coordinator at Norwegian Institute for Nature Research – NINA. He is working primarily in GIS- analysis, ?spatial modelling?, ? geostatistics reasearch and infrastructure implementation. Prior to position at NINA, Frank was a GIS expert for the County Governor South Trondelag and an engineer with the Norwegian Mapping Authority. Mr. Hanssen received a degree in GIS, Geography, Biology and Nature conservation from the Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU) in 1995.

ABSTRACT
A Least-Cost-Path (LCP) Toolbox for Optimal Routing of Power Lines
Optimal routing of power lines is important to avoid environmental and societal impacts, and must be considered in relation to the modern societal needs for a stable and secure power supply. Identifying the “optimal route” or an “acceptable” routing-corridor for a new power line is highly challenging. The great complexity of formal and informal stakeholder interests at different geographical levels must be identified, organized and handled through standardized impact assessments. Also legal, technological and economic criteria have to be analyzed prior to the final routing decision. To aid decision makers and developers, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) are now developing a GIS-based Least-Cost-Path (LCP) toolbox for environmentally-friendly routing of power lines based on ecological, social, economic and technological criteria. NINA started this work in January 2011 and will finalize it in December 2013. An important part of our project is to achieve consensus among relevant stakeholders. The stakeholders will be guided through an intensive dialogue process (spring 2012) in order to establish a high degree of consensus on themes deemed relevant for power line routing and their map-based criteria, values and weights to be used in the LCP-toolbox. A pilot version of the LCP- toolbox is validated through a local case study from 2001/2002 and was presented for the stakeholders during the dialogue process in order to demonstrate the capabilities of LCP. The final LCP-toolbox (to be launched in December 2013) will be an efficient and supportive tool in handling the multi-criteria complexity of impact assessments and planning of power line routing.

Lawrence Friedl
Director-Applied Science Programme
Earth Science Division
NASA
USA


BIO
Lawrence Friedl serves as the Director of the NASA Earth Science Division’s Applied Sciences Program. The Program supports efforts to discover and demonstrate innovative and practical applications of Earth science by public and private organizations. He has been with NASA since 2002, and he has served as the Program Manager for Air Quality applications along with several other applications themes. Among his responsibilities, Lawrence represents the United States and NASA on the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and is a co-chair of the USGEO Committee. Prior to joining NASA, Lawrence worked at the US Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on applications of geospatial data and technology. He also served as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller in NASA’s Mission Control Center for 15 missions, including several Earth science missions. Lawrence received a Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, specializing in Science and Technology Policy. He received a Bachelors degree in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University. He also received a certificate in Space Policy and Law from the International Space University.

ABSTRACT
Benefits of NASA Earth Science and Earth-Observing Satellites
NASA currently has 17 Earth-observing environmental satellites examining the Earth system, providing data on precipitation, soil moisture, ocean salinity, air quality, and hundreds of other parameters. NASA’s Applied Sciences Program specifically pursues innovative uses and practical benefits of NASA’s Earth-observing satellites and new research knowledge. Applied Sciences pursues partnerships with public- and private sector organizations to test and apply satellite data in their decision-making activities. In recent years, the Program has initiated activities to quantify socioeconomic benefits from uses of Earth observations. The Program has developed impact analysis reports, sponsored workshops, developed a primer, and pursued other activities to advance analytic methodologies and build capacity. This talk will focus on efforts to substantiate socioeconomic benefits associated with the use of NASA’s Earth-observing satellite observations in policy and management decisions. The talk will provide a brief overview of NASA’s Applied Sciences Program. The talk will present case studies on socioeconomic impact analyses of applications in several areas, including aviation safety, public health, and fisheries. Finally, the talk will discuss activities to pursue a research agenda on analytic techniques, develop a body of knowledge, and promote broader skills and capabilities.

Anil Kumar
Manager
Environmental Data
Environment Agency
Abu Dhabi
UAE

BIO
Anil Kumar has nearly two decades of experience in managing and implementing geospatial systems and solutions. Anil’s interests include Spatial Data Infrastructures, Decision Support Systems, Business Intelligence, Enterprise Architecture, Knowledge Management, etc. Currently he is the Acting Director of Environment Information Management at the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD). Anil's responsibilities include ensuring strategic alignment of business, information and technology, and leveraging geospatial technologies in decision making. Prior to joining EAD, Anil had worked with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Centre for GIS, Qatar. Anil holds Master's Degrees in Marine Geology, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and Post Graduate Certification in Business Administration.

ABSTRACT
Realizing Benefits of Geospatial Technologies in Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) was established with an overall mandate of protecting, managing and conserving the environment, as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. EAD strives persistently to provide a clean and healthier environment to its residents, and Geospatial technologies have always played a key role in achieving this objective. The rapid rate of development and associated socio-economic changes in Abu Dhabi have increasingly brought to fore the need for making better informed decisions in a timely manner. Geospatial technologies have been an integral part of the decision making process at Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi right from its inception. The presentation highlights the tangible and intangible benefits realized from geospatial information and technologies in providing a clean and safe environment, as well as preserving the natural heritage of Abu Dhabi.

Tim Stonor
Managing Director
Space Syntax
United Kingdom



BIO
Tim Stonor is an architect and urban planner. He is an internationally respected expert in the analysis and design of human behavior patterns in buildings and urban areas. His work explores how social, economic and environmental value is created by the movement, interaction and transaction of people in space. Tim advises governments, private organizations and communities worldwide. His approach combines robust analysis and visionary thinking. Tim is Managing Director of the strategic consulting firm Space Syntax Limited, which he founded in 1996. A director of the Academy of Urbanism, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, winner of the prestigious Harvard Loeb Fellowship and Advocate for the EPSRC, he is a Visiting Professor at University College London.

ABSTRACT
The Use of Geographical Information in the Planning and Design of Urban Environments
Urban planning is largely an analogue discipline - too many diagrams and watercolors and not enough science. When science is present, it is seen as an adjunct, not as a driver. The key to creating a necessary balance between the geographic and social sciences is to incorporate the “human factor” into a systematic scientific approach: measuring and mapping at the human scale, i.e. at the scale of the street segment and individual plot rather than at the crude level of postal code or council ward. While this is challenging and sometimes impossible, new technologies offer new opportunities. Never have the opportunities for the Geospatial community been greater, nor the risks of inaction more profound to engage in core issues of global urbanism, resource depletion, energy demand and water security. Understanding constructive approaches and their quantitative impacts is a major step forward and is the subject of this presentation.

David Harper
Director of GeoConnections
Natural Resources Canada
Canada




ABSTRACT
Canadian Inquiries into the Value of Geomatics and Location Based Information
A high performing geomatics sector is critical to Canada’s economy and international competitiveness. What was once a relatively narrow and well-defined field focusing on land and resource development now permeates nearly every facet of Canadian Society. It is necessary for Canada to better understand the geomatics sector and its contribution to the economy by:
• having a complete and coherent understanding of the state of the geomatics sector in Canada;
• understanding the significance and value of the geomatics sector and location-based information (geospatial data) to the Canadian economy;
• identifying emerging trends and opportunities for the Canadian geomatics sector;
• having a better definition of the future roles of government, industry and academia in support of a high performing geomatics sector
• gaining a better understanding of the contribution of the geomatics sector to the Canadian economy GeoConnections, a national initiative led by Natural Resources Canada, is undertaking a two-part study that consists of a Canadian Geomatics Environmental Sector Scan and Economic Study. Results will be used to inform governments, industry and academia in Canada.