Bulletin des sciences géographiques de l'INCT
Volume 13, Numéro 1, Pages 25-32
2009-09-30

What Do We Need Laws For?

Authors : Aslesen Laila .

Abstract

In Norway we have found that establi­shing an SDI on a voluntary basis have worked well. We have had no need so far to establish a legal framework. in the form of new legislation or changes to existing legislation. The government regulates its own activities and other stakeholders have voluntarily joined in, seeing the advantages for themsel ves. For Europe a different approach is used by the European Union. An SDI is being established with the use of a legal framework, the INSPIRE directive with supplementing regulations. As a supplement for the needs of the private sector, EU has the PSI (re-use) directive. lt is interesting to compare these approaches by analysing the need and use of a legal framework for establishing an SDI. It is also interesting to look at what happens when a voluntary solution is about to be replaced by a law reform. Laws and regulations are tools for a purpose and not an end in itself. "fhe question is whether a regulatory approach helps in a way that other tools can not. It is also a general experience that legislation meant to initiate a fairly large reforrn in a certain area, needs vigorous follow up for a long time in order to work as expected. The role of the public sector is important in the discussion of how to establish and SDI. In this context, one can not avoide the issue of funding and the discussion on whether, the moving around of money between pubhc organisations serves a purpose. In a global perspecrive it is interesting to consider how these two approaches, legislation or cooperation wiIl work in other places. There are places where establihing data and services that will work in a modern technological environment are more impor­tan tthan an SDI, because an SDI needs data and data services like a road network needs the roads and the road signs. It is also a consideration that some of the ambitions of an SDI as they have been defined up to now, should be reconsidered when considering the tools for implememing an SDI.

Keywords

What do we need laws for?