INTERGEO Thinks 3D

Experts at the INTERGEO preview in Karlsruhe hosted by former DVW President Hagen Graeff and addressing the topic "3D - dimensions of geodata" called for a change in mindset: People must get used to thinking three-dimensionally rather than seeing in three dimensions but thinking in two.  

The tenor of the discussion at Karlsruhe's ZKM (Centre for Art and Media Technology) involving Karl-Otto Funk of the Landesamt für Geoinformation und Landentwicklung (Regional Authority for Geoinformation and Land Development), Thomas Hauenstein from the City of Karlsruhe's real estate office and Jörg Herrmann, CEO of Infoterra GmbH, was that an appropriate geodata infrastructure (GDI) needed to be created to expand the dimensional perspective. The preview also marked the debut of INTERGEO TV.

The experts offering a taste of what is to come at INTERGEO from 22 to 24 September 2009 in Karlsruhe, and stressed the importance of a global coordinate system. However, Karl-Otto Funk demonstrated just how difficult it is to amalgamate data - even for a much smaller unit such as the German state of Baden-Württemberg - to implement the European Inspire directive. He explained that although the various administrative bodies - from surveying to nature conservation and veterinary services - have portals and have built up internal GDIs for the 35 administrative districts and 1,109 municipalities, "amalgamating them is difficult."

Thomas Hauenstein described the stages involved in creating a 3D model of Karlsruhe and explained that 3D plans could provide a much clearer picture of initiatives such as planned construction projects for decision-makers and the public alike. He indicated that there were many different applications - from flood protection to tower block design and noise reduction measures.

Jörg Herrmann reported on the milestone of a twin for the TerraSAR-X Earth observation satellite. The launch of TanDEM-X is planned for October and, orbiting in formation, the two satellites will supply the data basis for a global elevation model of unique quality and coverage over a period of three years.