Harmonisation requirements and capabilities towards a European spatial data infrastructure (ESDI): the HUMBOLDT protected areas scenario

The HUMBOLDT project has the aim of implementing a Framework for harmonisation of data and services in the geoinformation domain,under the Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe(INSPIRE)Directive and in the context of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security(GMES)Initiative.The two-pronged approach of HUM BOLDT comprises a technical side of software framework development and an application side of scenario testing and validation.Among the HUMBOLDT Application Scenarios designed to demonstrate the capabilities of the Framework there is the one covering Protected Areas themes and use cases It aims to transform geoinformation,managed by park authorities,into a seamless flow that com bines multiple information sources from different governance levels(European,national,regional),and exploits this newly combined information for the purposes of planning,management and tourism promotion.The Scenario constitutes a step further towards the integration of monitoring systems envisaged in the view of Digital Earth.Protected Areas Scenario creates an examples of the use of the HUMBOLDT tools in Desktop and Web GIS environment,together with setting up a server environment exploiting HUMBOLDT harmonisation framework as taking into account user require-ments and needs and providing benefits for making the road to ESDI establish-ment easier.

Harmonising "hukou"

When Du Yumeng was born in December 2005, she was probably not aware that she had been classified into a different category from other babies--a category which includes people toting wheelbarrows of fresh fruit, selling steamed buns from a comer booth or peddling phone cards. They all share one thing in common--a rural ＂hukou＂, or house-hold registration.

Built heritage and planning laws in Africa:the Nigerian Experience

Built heritage has been and is being threatened by natural and man-made factors such as urbanisation,climate change,civil unrest,and activities of extractive industries among others.These factors have led to the destruction of built heritage culminating in a gap in the cultural history and identity of the people.Over the years,in every country,there have been different regimes that have regulated the preservation and sustainability of built heritage sites,ranging from the traditional pre-colonial era,the colonial era and the post-colonial era.This article from the perspective of law and history,examines the trajectory of the heritage management systems over the years in Nigeria to identify necessary areas of improvements that are needed to adequately manage and protect built heritage against the identified endangering factor of urban development.From its comprehensive analysis,this paper argues that in-order to adequately manage built heritage,it is important to adopt a holistic approach that will require the harmonisation of the various heritage management systems while taking steps to document indigenous conservation methods.On the other hand,harmonisation of all heritage laws with town planning laws is essential for sustainability.