Workshop on 'INSPIRE extensions' organized by EuroGeographics, EuroSDR and Geonovum.

Very interesting workshop on the extension of INSPIRE data models held on June 20^th and 21^st  at the National School of Geographic Sciences (ENSG) in Marne-la-Vallée, near Paris. It was an opportunity to share experiences and lessons learnt in extending INSPIRE to include the specific requirements deriving from the national laws, thematic communities and environmental reporting.

Extension task may be challenging, but several successful experiences show that the use of INSPIRE as a methodological reference for the creation of national and thematic data models can lead to a significant improvement in data management efficiency and interoperability, meanwhile helping the  Member States to meet their INSPIRE obligations. Very interesting presentations on the extension of INSPIRE models for the Underground Networks (gas, water, electricity and telecommunications), Cadastral Parcels and Buildings developed at national level as well as within European projects such as GeoSmartCity.

The use of INSPIRE for environmental reporting (INSPIRE for e-Reporting) was another of the topics which actively involved the workshop audience.

On behalf of the Epsilon-Italia team supporting the European Environment Agency in INSPIRE-related tasks, Stefania Morrone presented the data models "EU Registry on Industrial Sites" and "CDDA Linked Approach".

The EU Registry is the new model for reporting to the Environment Agency the administrative data of the industrial sites affected by the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) and the IED Directive (Industrial Emissions Directive). It extends the INSPIRE Production and Industrial Facilities core model in accordance to the extension rules set out in the Annex F of the INSPIRE Generic Conceptual Model, i.e. it does not change anything in the INSPIRE PF Data Specification but normatively references it with all its requirements.

The CDDA Linked Approach is the new reporting model for the European Database on Designated Areas (CDDA) and links environmental thematic data to related protected areas described in INSPIRE Protected Sites datasets.

Most of the extended models presented during the workshop can be found at the INSPIRE extensions project website.