PDOK is an online portal providing access to all major public geographical datasets in the Netherlands. Initiated by Kadaster in 2007, the scope of this national spatial data infrastructure was unprecedented. The portal is the result of the collaborative efforts of five Dutch governmental and public agencies. Currently in 2015, over 230 web services are available, amounting to 125 million hits per month. These services are free of charge, easy to use, without user restrictions or exclusions, with high-quality and reliable data, meeting national and international data standards.
Web services and downloadable files
PDOK is the abbreviation of Publieke Dienstverlening op De Kaart, Maps for Services. The geo datasets in PDOK are supplied by governmental departments and public authorities. The data are therefore guaranteed to be up-to-date, reliable and for free. The data are available through web services and downloadable files. For example, the Amsterdam municipality uses PDOK datasets to make a map that predicts damage caused by floods in the Amsterdam canals.
Users
PDOK is open for anyone in need of geographical data, both in the public and private sector. Including – for instance – municipalities, public agencies, businesses, schools and private citizens. In this way, the Dutch Government is stimulating innovation, eGovernmental services and the use of geo information.
History
In 2007, the European data directive INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe) was introduced. National legislation in the Netherlands had to be revised in order to meet the new international standards for the benefit of environmental policies. The Dutch Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster) took the initiative and brought all relevant stakeholders together. After elaborate debate, an agreement was reached towards innovation and PDOK was born.
Meeting standards
PDOK meets both national and international standards, including the European INSPIRE standards and the Dutch eGovernment standards as well as the Dutch Environmental Planning Act. Furthermore, it supports European Commission activities such as the Single Market, Digital Agenda and the Public Sector Information Directive.
Partners
PDOK is a collaboration of various Dutch governmental and public agencies: The Dutch Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster); Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment; Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs; Rijkswaterstaat (Dutch Road and Water Ways Networks); and Geonovum, a governmental department that is responsible for making geo information accessible in the Netherlands.
Special features
Geo data can be updated daily, updates are fully automatic; high-performance services and files are platform independent, IT is based upon open standard technology; easy to use even by those with limited knowledge of geospatial technologies; the ability to layer data and aerial photos to create tailor-made maps; accurate, reliable and current (up-to-date) data; easy to use upload station combined with automated data management and users can easily unlock and update data automatically; inclusion of the latest developments in geospatial technologies such as 3D datasets; a helpdesk for questions, requests and complaints.
| Award info | |
| Award category: | the public sector as partner for a better society - european, national and regional level |
|---|---|
| Award type: | diploma |
| Award year: | 2015 |
| Project type | |
| Sector: | other |
| Type of activity: | |
| Keywords: | Geographic information, web services, reuse public sector data, free data, open data, reliable data, authentic data, non-commercial data, compliant data, real-time data, high availability, INSPIRE, Single Market, eGovernmental services, education |
| Short English description: | PDOK is an online portal providing access to all major public geographical datasets in the Netherlands. Initiated by Kadaster in 2007, the scope of this national spatial data infrastructure was unprecedented. |
| Further information | |
| Organisation: | Dutch Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency |
| Other applicants: | |
| Homepage: | https://www.pdok.nl/ |
| Level of government: | national level |
| Size of organisation: | >100 |
| Number of people involved: | 11-15 |
| Country: | Netherlands |
| EU membership: | EU member |
| Language code: | en |
| Start date: | |
| End date: | |