Spatial data is a vital national resource necessary for a country's efficient and sustainable economic, social and environmental development, and so must be properly developed and managed. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), there is lack of knowledge and no clear framework describing the optimal way for stakeholders, users, providers or administrators, to collaborate effectively in establishing a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). Moreover, the complex, multi-layer and multi-jurisdiction system of government leads to competing interests and mandates in coordinating spatial activity. Previous studies on NSDI in KSA focused on technical infrastructure strategy. However, there is a need to study institutional/organisational issues affecting collaboration in NSDI for KSA. This research presented in this book leads to recommendations for a best practice, collaboration initiative for Saudi NSDI, and contributes to advancing the goals and implementation of NSDI in KSA.

Dr. Saad Alshehri is a assistant professor in the Department of Information and Communication Technology/Geospatial Science at King Fahd Security College. He is Director of the Higher Diploma programme in GIS at the Higher Institute for Security Studies. He has 20 years experience with GIS application, development and training.