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The initiation, growth, and sustainment of SDI in the Middle East—Notes from the trenches

Countries and regions around the world—including many with transitional economies and other circumstances that require special consideration—are increasingly embracing the notion of spatial data infrastructure (SDI). Why and how such formal or informal GIS initiatives are launched, and by what means they are grown and sustained over time, seems to depend heavily on evolving circumstances and who is in the driver's seat. This article outlines our experiences and observations regarding some of the biggest challenges SDI implementers face today both in the Middle East and in the areas where academic research and capacity building can make a real difference. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.