A recent geospatial data study report from the United Kingdom warned that even though geospatial or location data can create huge economic value of £6 billion (US$8.2 billion) to £11 billion per year, policymakers do not always use this even when it can add value. This is also the case in Hong Kong.
The report, released by the UK’s Geospatial Commission, suggests that the major reason for such insights not being fully utilised or left unused in the decision-making process by policymakers may be a lack of knowledge in applying it.
In Hong Kong’s 2017 policy address, opening up government data was identified as one of the eight major directions for promoting the development of innovation and technology. From 2019 to early this year, the number of open datasets has reached 4,250, laying a solid foundation for a common spatial data infrastructure (CSDI), a location data supermarket to be officially launched next year.
However, with the data having opened, what about the usage? Have the public and the government made the best use of these resources? How much value has the open data created?
In fact, the government has already reaped the benefits of exchanging geospatial data. One example is a common operational picture (COP), an electronic platform launched by the Civil Engineering and Development Department in 2019.
This common geographic information system platform allows various departments to share data in real time on accidents related to natural disasters, such as landslides and flooding resulted from rainstorms, seawater inundation, facilitating coordination and division of responsibility among various departments.
Torrential rain caused a landslide on Tai Lam Road on Hong Kong Island in the aftermath of Typhoon Merbok on June 13, 2017. A platform launched by the Civil Engineering and Development department allows various departments to share information in real time on accidents related to natural disasters. Photo: Sam Tsang
Early last year, in response to the raging coronavirus pandemic, various government bureaus and departments jointly developed an interactive map dashboard to provide one-stop updated information on the situation in Hong Kong, which greatly eased the tension of the general public. This dashboard attracted more than 54 million views as of mid-June. It is another case that demonstrates successful sharing of geospatial information.
We are facing a housing shortage in the city. CSDI with geospatial data at its core can be used to tackle this problem. In planning for old districts, such as Kowloon East, or the development of new towns like Tung Chung or Lantau Tomorrow, the authorities should make good use of CSDI, so that we can maximise the value of investments.
Dr Winnie Tang, adjunct professor, faculties of Engineering, Social Sciences, and Architecture, University of Hong Kong
