Written by one of the world"s leading experts on spatial data infrastructures (SDIs), this book explores existing European SDIs and the efforts of the European Union to create a framework for a multinational Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE) in order to exploit the many opportunities being created by modern geographic information technologies. The institutional and decision-making context within which SDIs must be developed requires partnerships between the public and private sectors, and concerted government action will play a key role in helping INSPIRE oversome political and institutional barriers. The author discusses the steps needed to create a legal framework for the wide-ranging project and identifies key strategic issues for future SDI development.