Integrated Information System – Territorial Observatory

SMART Integration announces signing the contract for the project “Territorial Observatory – integrated information system in support of regional development policy”, SMIS code 32562, financed by Administrative Capacity Development Operational Programme 2007 – 2013,  Priority Axis 2 – Improving the quality and efficiency of service delivery with emphasis on decentralization, Key Area of ​​Intervention 2.2 – Improving the quality and efficiency of service delivery, Operation – Using electronic mechanisms, for example, internet portals and databases.

The overall objective is to create a tool underline technical decisions on development of the national territory to improve the quality and efficiency of services supplied by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration (MRDPA) to the local government to reduce the length of public service delivery MRDPA of competence.

In order to meet the overall objective, the project proposes the develop nationwide implementation of the Territorial Observatory – integrated information system to support local development. Territorial Observatory will be presented as an application which record data and statistics necessary to characterize a territory (in the regions, counties, municipalities, cities and municipalities), structured to highlight the dynamics and territorial disparities in Romania. This device will gather information and mapping that allow tracking the evolution in time and space. The information presented in the observatory will be regularly updated, aggregated and presented in summary form in maps, tables, and indicators.

Territorial Observatory will be built as a geographic information system (GIS) that will integrate all the functions necessary for its use by central and local public administration authorities offering technical information as a tool to support regional development policy.

As an informatic structure, Territorial Observatory will have input and data storage, a spatial analysis component and a component of presentation of maps and associated tables aggregate unit.

By implementing the Territorial Observatory, MRDPA will provide a geospatial solution able to process a large amount of information necessary for effective management of the territory and ensure, with subsequent developments and regulatory content:

• Correlation and concentrating all the necessary technical geospatial information and effective management of regional development policies and spatial planning, territorial dynamics, planning and management of settlements, housing, public works;
• Setting priorities and appropriate deployment of projects of public interest;
• Informational support in decision making;
• Optimizing communication with specialists, local and county councils, the information contained in the Territorial Observatory can be viewed, interpreted and reported.

The project, in addition to developing and implementing Territorial Observatory includes collection services and generation of statistical indicators and consulting services for formalizing inter-institutional protocol and compatibility with central and local government to be producers of information for design and development services for the preparation / development at national level of the pilot project developed within the project to cover the entire country. Promotional activities include advertising and information services as well.

Territorial Observatory in Romania will directly support the development and implementation of the Romanian Territorial Development Strategy and National Housing Strategy.

Expected outcomes of the activities are:

• Observatory structure and system architecture;
• IT infrastructure implemented;
• 1 Geoportal – Territorial Observatory;
• 1 structure databases and applications developed in modules – Territorial Observatory;
• 1 pilot project implemented;
• 1 Inter protocol and compatibility;
• 1 training plan and 130 people trained;
• 1 plan development / expansion nationwide OT – procedures for dissemination / development / expansion of national results of the pilot. This plan will contain a chapter or appendix binding will present a study / analysis of how the territorial Observatory will help to simplify administrative procedures and approval of the documentation of spatial and urban planning;
• Model inter-institutional protocol compatibility, sharing and exchange of information including technical annex;
• Working methodology for developing and implementing clinical protocols;
• Technical and logistical advice for establishing the technical specifications for technical annexes for each institution providing data and technical assistance for signing protocols;
• Strategy development plan / development at national level based on the results obtained from the implementation of the Pilot Project;
• A report containing a detailed analysis of institutions producing data and a list of datasets and relevant spatial information, statistical data and indicators relevant for Territorial Observatory;
• Presentation sheets (metadata) – for all specific data sets;
• A collection of relevant data, geospatial information and indicators MRDPA areas of responsibility will be continuously updated;
• Data entered into the OT data for each indicator and offered additional indicators;
• Application of statistical analysis and methodological support for the development and generation of reports, thematic maps and plans, statistical matrices on areas of interest;
• Methodology for updating the database structure and indicators.

Contracting Authority: Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration

Implementation period: 5 months (April-September 2015)