National Geoportal (AL0039)

The Ministry for Innovation and Public Administration, in collaboration of the Albanian Authority for geospatial information will undertake the creation of a National Electronic Geoportal, which, for the first time, will provide citizens and institutions, transparent and accurate geospatial information. Through the National Geoportal mapping citizens and interested parties can access to topographic maps, orthophotos, boundary maps, indicative maps of immobile property, and maps of the property value. Some of the steps that will measure the implementation of this commitment are, the interagency coordination in order to enable existing data collection, preparation of the terms of reference for software and hardware infrastructure needed for the realization of this commitment, preparation of the data model for the existing geospatial information, preliminary geo-portal website will make available the existing information, preparation of new geospatial information. Information on land property and value, positioning and boundary maps and data are information that currently is very difficult for citizens to collect. Also the level of corruption in this field has been very high for long time. Through the implementation of this commitment will contribute in facilitating the access to geospatial maps and data in a unique portal..

For Commitment details, see Albania Mid-Term Report 2014-2016.

Commitment 3.2. National Geoportal

Commitment Text:

The Ministry for Innovation and Public Administration, in collaboration of the Albanian Authority for geospatial information will undertake the creation of a National Electronic Geoportal, which, for the first time, will provide citizens and institutions, transparent and accurate geospatial information. Through the National Geoportal mapping citizens and interested parties can access to topographic maps, orthophotos, boundary maps, indicative maps of immobile property, and maps of the property value. Some of the steps that will measure the implementation of this commitment are, the interagency coordination in order to enable existing data collection, preparation of the terms of reference for software and hardware infrastructure needed for the realization of this commitment, preparation of the data model for the existing geospatial information, preliminary geo-portal website will make available the existing information, preparation of new geospatial information. Information on land property and value, positioning and boundary maps and data are information that currently is very difficult for citizens to collect. Also the level of corruption in this field has been very high for long time. Through the implementation of this commitment will contribute in facilitating the access to geospatial maps and data in a unique portal.

Editorial Note: The commitment describes “some steps” for its implementation:

· Interagency coordination in order to enable existing data collection;

· Preparation of the terms of reference for software and hardware infrastructure needed for the realization of this commitment;

· Preparation of the data model for the existing geospatial information;

· Preliminary geoportal website will make available the existing information;

· Preparation of new geospatial information.

Responsible institution(s): Ministry for Innovation and Public Administration; State Authority for Geospatial Information (SAGI)

Supporting institution(s): N/A

Start date: 2014 End date: 2016

Commitment Aim:

The commitment aims to provide transparent and accurate geospatial information and related services. The State Authority for Geospatial Information (SAGI), established in 2013, developed and manages the portal.

A law passed in June 2012 created the national geoportal. The government began developing the portal in 2013 through a grant from the Norwegian government for EUR 1.2 million and with the technical support of the Norwegian Mapping Authority. At the time of action plan adoption (June 2014), the geoportal was already in the beta stage and was being populated with data.

Status

Midterm: Limited

In 2015 SAGI’s activities on the national geoportal consisted of adding new data, including 2015 census information on educational institutions, roads, geology, protected areas, property values, territorial division, cadastres, topographical maps, and orthophotos. By September 2015, the geoportal offered nearly 40 services free of charge for institutions and the public at large. ^{IRM progress report, http://www.opengovpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2001/01/Albania_Second%20IRM%20Report_for%20public%20comment.pdf.}

While progress was made in publishing information, further work was needed to comply with standards of INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community) Directive. This directive aims to create a European Union spatial data infrastructure that will enable the sharing of environmental spatial information among public-sector organizations and better facilitate public access to spatial information across Europe.

End of term: Substantial

The tendering procedures for the software of the geoportal were opened in December 2015, after preparation of ToRs for software and hardware. ^{Tender notice available at https://doffin.no/en/Notice/Details/2016-044438.} During 2016 the government contracted with a software company to develop the national geoportal in full conformity with Law No. 72/2012 and the INSPIRE Directive. Other technical milestones necessary for the functioning of the portal have been largely on track and remain ongoing as per the objectives of the geoportal.

As of October 2016, the geoportal offered 54 services, including administrative divisions, topographical maps, land suitability descriptions, an inventory of zoning and protected areas, and road infrastructure maps. ^{Geoportal available at http://geoportal.asig.gov.al/(X(1)S(fd04sigwdzqk0ns0p4cfdttv))/Map.aspx?lang=AL.}

Did it open government?

Access to information: Marginal

This commitment is highly relevant to OGP values and in its advanced stages of implementation may deliver major if not transformative impact. The information and services offered through the geoportal would reinforce open data, transparent governance reforms, and an evidence-based approach to decision making. This will, however, require adequate coordination with relevant state institutions in addition to the necessary strategic planning and monitoring framework.

At the end of the commitment implementation period, the geoportal has had a positive effect on increasing access to geospatial information. In the period from June 2014 to June 2016, the government has populated the portal with new data, and according to the figures provided by the SAGI representatives, the number of visitors between August 2015 and August 2016 reached 141,129 (nearly 11,700 visitors per month). The main users are state institutions, but users also include private companies and citizens. ^{Information submitted via email, 18 October 2016.}

Carried forward?

This commitment has not been carried forward in the new 2016–2018 action plan. In addition to updating the geoportal with datasets and new services, the government could promote its public use broadly. This could include reaching out to the media, civil society, and academia—important users who may further analyze public information and hold institutions accountable.