Project

Geographic Information Strategy for the Canton of Schwyz

The Schwyz Office of Surveying and Geographic Information (AVG) moves to replace its GIS concept from the year 2004 with a modern geographic information strategy. EBP assists the AVG in the drafting of the strategy.

In the area of spatial development, the Canton of Schwyz has been using a GIS concept that dates back to 2004. However, the passage of the Swiss Geoinformation Act in 2008 and the introduction of the associated cantonal-level ordinance have led to significant changes in the general legal framework. Moreover, technological developments and new approaches to the application of geographic information have also made the existing concept obsolete.

EBP is helping the Schwyz Office of Surveying and Geographic Information (AVG) to draft a geographic information strategy that takes account of these latest developments and to prepare cantonal and municipal workers for the application of new common guidelines and the achievement of the established goals.

The scope of the assignment included working with the client to arrive at an initial definition of the substantive components and structure of the future strategy. As input for the final draft of the strategy, EBP formulated text blocks to account for the essential developments in the field, including the use of “mobile Internet”, “social networking”, “cloud infrastructures” and the concept of an “information society”. We also outlined pertinent developments relating to the subjects of open data, augmented reality and the Internet of Things.

In the framework of a workshop, guidelines and goals were then drafted in the following areas:

  • Geographic data
  • Infrastructure
  • Organisation
  • Employees
  • Communication
  • Financing

Working together with the client, EBP then identified relevant stakeholders, including public interest groups, business leaders and cantonal lawmakers and administrators, as a means of specifying the strategy’s final content, arriving at a final draft and presenting the strategy for purposes obtaining the necessary approval.

Contact persons