SDI expert Ian Masser provides a practical introduction to the tasks involved in building a spatial data infrastructure (SDI) and makes clear how Europeans are taking advantage of geographic information technologies to help their citizens have quick access to location-based information. He also illuminates the critical collaboration that is necessary between public and private agencies to develop the ""infrastructure for spatial information in Europe"" (INSPIRE) the as well as the partnerships built between public and private sectors than enable sharing information and better decision-making. Europeans are building spatial data infrastructures (SDI) to create a multinational system of sharing information throughout the European Union and this book shows how.