Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
The geo-information sector is a small player worldwide. In the Netherlands, the size is about €1.5 billion and some 15,000 people work in the geo sector. However, the impact the sector has is large.
That has to do with the location component. Without even realizing it, we make frequent use of our geographical position, on the map or in relation to each other. This functionality is in numerous applications that are part of our daily lives. This has only become more so as we literally have this technology in our hands today with our smartphones and tablets.
Less visible, but equally important, is the role of geo-information and technology in the digitization of our society. In addition to technology, data and information play a major role in this. This data is collected in various ways, the volumes are increasing and the update frequency is increasing. In our sector, there is a lot of knowledge about standards and data interoperability. In doing so, the geo-industry makes a major contribution to the collection and disclosure of these data streams.
GeoBusiness Netherlands is the trade association for and by geo-businesses. Within our association you will find companies with specializations throughout the chain, from data acquisition to processing and analyzing data for a wide range of applications in various sectors. Examples include the construction, infrastructure and water sectors, but also applications for energy transition and climate, our living environment, sustainable technology, circular construction and the health, care and social welfare of the population.
The companies work together within our association on the basis of three spearheads: a level and fair playing field, economic growth, and education and research. To realize our ambitions, we have working groups organized around data extraction, working with partners from government and education.
It all starts with collecting and processing good and reliable data, above and below ground. This is essential for the entire chain. It involves very accurate dimensioning of new buildings, bridges and infrastructure, as well as inspections of installations, roads, waterways and cables and pipes. This is done with measuring equipment and sensors in cars, aircraft and drones, among other things, or ground radar measurements that can prevent excavation damage (see box KAGO).
From our Platform Government, Procurement and Standards, we provide a structural and coordinated contribution for cooperation and coordination with our partners within the government, including the Kadaster, Rijkswaterstaat, Geonovum, the NEN and the Association of Dutch Municipalities.
Geo-information and technology is a specialized field. The demand for qualified personnel, especially for data collection but also Geo-ICT, is high. We help our members to jointly shape discussions with educational councils and institutions at MBO, HBO and WO level and take actions to support geo education and promote the field.
These working groups form the basis for achieving the growth of our industry through three themes.
The design of our physical environment cannot be done without spatial data and geo-information. From 2021, a new law will take effect for this purpose: the Environment Act. We encourage cooperation between companies and stakeholders from the field, with the aim of making sound agreements for the successful introduction of the Environment Act and to show what the geo-business community can contribute.
To achieve the 49% CO2 reduction target, the Netherlands will soon look very different. Climate adaptation and energy transition is a 'geo-issue'. The geo-sector maps the impact on the physical living environment and helps make smart choices and monitor actions that lead to a sustainable living environment.
Contributing to innovative construction of residential, commercial and infrastructure buildings is the common thread for the BIM / 3D / Circular Construction theme. Together with stakeholders from the broader construction and infra-work field, we maintain a platform and network to share knowledge and connect with the geo-work field.
GeoBusiness Netherlands is a unique community, because our members often work together on solutions and thus strengthen each other in chain from data acquisition and analsyse to disclosure. In this edition of GWW, many of our members show how they use geo-technology.
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