With the exponential number of changes occurring in cities, how does Ordnance Survey feel they can support the efforts of smart cities?
While it’s just one of their services, at Ordnance Survey they are developing their product road maps around a range of new data propositions to support Smart Cities. These include attributes, such as building types for profiling purposes and 3D:
- Integration with underground asset data;
- Modeling sensor/actuator range; and
- Interior spaces for public pathways through buildings.
Data-sharing is a critical component of making some aspects of the smart city concepts work but differences in the semantics, syntax and quality of information collected by different organizations can hinder it. Using location is a very good way to overcome these barriers.
The science of cities is an evolving discipline and the demands for the geospatial data are only just being articulated. Ordnance Survey therefore continues to invest, enriching existing data with new attributes, such as building type for profiling energy usage (smart energy management) and land cover, use of catchments for smart water management.
We reached out to the team at Ordnance Survey, and one member shared some history on how the organization began:
“Britain’s mapping agency has its roots in military strategy: Mapping the Scottish Highlands following rebellion in 1745. Later, as the French Revolution rumbled on the other side of the English Channel, there were real fears the bloodshed may sweep across to our shores. So the government ordered its defence ministry of the time – the Board of Ordnance – to begin a survey of England’s vulnerable southern coasts. Until then, maps had lacked the detail required for moving troops and planning campaigns.”
While data sharing can be a specified service, it is only one of the many mapping services provided by Ordnance Surveys. Check out this video to see more.
What are your thoughts about Smart Cities? If you’re involved in making them a reality, whether as a planner, IT professional, social entrepreneur or academic, be sure to check out Ordnance Survey’s website by clicking here
Written By: Josue Paul (02/22/2016)