At the International Conference on Geographical Information Systems Theory, Applications and Management (GISTAM 2026), the European Umbrella Organisation for Geographic Information (EUROGI) will host a high-level round table exploring how Europe’s geospatial ecosystem is evolving under the pressure of policy reform, artificial intelligence, data sovereignty requirements, and new decision-support paradigms.
GISTAM Conference brings together researchers and practitioners working across spatial data sensing, analysis, visualisation, management, and emerging geospatial intelligence systems. Within this context, EUROGI’s session aims to connect policy, research, and operational practice in a structured conversation about Europe’s geospatial direction of travel.
The discussion will be moderated by EUROGI President Alejandro Guinea de Salas, who brings a European-wide perspective shaped by his leadership role in the organisation and his background in the GIS industry.
A cross-sector panel linking policy, cities, science and GeoAI
The round table brings together four speakers whose expertise reflects the breadth of today’s geospatial ecosystem:
Emilio López Romero (CNIG / IGN Spain). López Romero is a computer engineer and currently is the Director of the National Centre of Geographic Information of Spain (CNIG). He is also the President of the Advisory Board of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure and the representative of Spain in the INSPIRE Committee and the Group of Maintenance and Implementation of INSPIRE. He is member of the Management Board of EuroGeographics and the representative of Spain in the Panamerican Institute of Geography and History.
Zilmil Bordoloi (City of Lucerne Geoinformation Centre / SOGI)
Her experience in urban geoinformation systems, digital twins, and data infrastructure migration brings a strong operational city perspective, where geospatial systems directly support municipal decision-making.
Richard Lucas (Aberystwyth University)
A leading voice in Earth observation and environmental monitoring, his work on land cover, biomass and data-driven environmental systems links geospatial science with global change and long-term monitoring infrastructures.
Domen Mongus (GeMMA Lab, University of Maribor)
His research in GeoAI, remote sensing and spatial modelling places artificial intelligence at the centre of the discussion on next-generation geospatial capabilities.
Five themes shaping the debate
The session is structured around five interconnected themes that reflect both current policy debates and emerging technological shifts.
1. Simplification of INSPIRE and future European geospatial policy
The panel will examine whether INSPIRE can evolve toward a more flexible and usable framework without losing interoperability, trust and cross-border coherence. The discussion will also consider what Europe still needs from shared geospatial infrastructure in practice.
2. GeoAI and the transformation of geospatial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how geospatial data are produced, analysed and applied. The debate will explore opportunities in automation and insight generation, alongside challenges related to transparency, trust, explainability and skills.
3. European data spaces and data sovereignty
This theme focuses on how geospatial data can contribute to European data spaces while ensuring sovereignty, resilience and long-term governance of critical data infrastructures. The balance between openness and control will be a central point.
4. Digital twins for public decision-making
Digital twins will be discussed not as a technological concept alone, but as operational tools for governments and cities. The emphasis will be on usability, governance, data requirements and the need for transparency in public-facing systems.
5. Future geospatial capabilities: data cubes, Earth observation and skills
The concluding theme looks ahead to integrated Earth observation systems, data cubes, and evolving skill sets. The focus is on how Europe can move from reactive data use toward anticipatory, scenario-based planning.
A conversation at the intersection of policy and practice
This EUROGI round table at GISTAM 2026 is designed as a bridge between disciplines and communities: from national mapping agencies to cities, from academic research to AI-driven innovation.
It reflects a shared question across Europe’s geospatial ecosystem: how to turn rapidly expanding data capabilities into trusted, usable, and future-oriented public infrastructure.
The discussion will contribute to ongoing European debates on geospatial policy, digital transformation and the role of spatial intelligence in addressing societal and environmental challenges.
