Geodata and territorial governance: the institutional trajectory of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG)
This paper explores the early emergence and evolution of a key geoinformation actor in the Geneva region. It traces the transformation of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) – initiated by a group of GIS enthusiasts – into a central actor in spatial data governance at the regiona...
Sparad:
| I publikationen: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/netcom, |
|---|---|
| Huvudupphovsman: | |
| Materialtyp: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Publicerad: |
Netcom
2026
|
| Ämnen: | |
| Länkar: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| id |
openedition-oai:revues.org:netcom_10042 |
|---|---|
| record_format |
openedition |
| collection |
OpenEdition Journal |
| format |
Article ou chapitre numérique |
| building |
0/Bibliothèque numérique/ 1/Bibliothèque numérique/OpenEdition Journals/ |
| topic |
Gouvernance territoriale ; Données géospatiales ; Infrastructures numériques ; Coopération territoriale Geospatial data; Data governance; Digital infrastructures; Territorial cooperation |
| spellingShingle |
Gouvernance territoriale ; Données géospatiales ; Infrastructures numériques ; Coopération territoriale Geospatial data; Data governance; Digital infrastructures; Territorial cooperation Barella, Jennifer Geodata and territorial governance: the institutional trajectory of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) |
| description |
This paper explores the early emergence and evolution of a key geoinformation actor in the Geneva region. It traces the transformation of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) – initiated by a group of GIS enthusiasts – into a central actor in spatial data governance at the regional scale. Through a longitudinal analysis of institutional documents, the paper shows how SITG gradually accumulated institutional authority, emerging from bottom-up, technically driven collaborations rather than from a formal political roadmap. Over time, its influence expanded beyond cantonal borders, contributing to the shaping of the Greater Geneva agglomeration as a coherent territorial entity. This story shows how actors and data infrastructures do not simply support territorial governance; they actively constitute it. This empirical study contributes to debates in digital geography, spatial data governance, and territorial planning by foregrounding the socio-technical labour behind geodata actors and infrastructures. It argues that understanding how digital tools shape territorial governance requires close attention to the institutional pathways, informal practices, and embedded power relations that underpin their development. Rather than viewing spatial data systems as neutral supports for decision-making, the paper highlights their active role in constructing the informational and operational foundations of territorial governance. The case of SITG invites broader reflection on how digital infrastructures emerge, consolidate authority, and influence regional vison – particularly in complex, multilevel, and cross-border contexts. In doing so, the paper offers a grounded analysis of the quiet but consequential ways that spatial data infrastructures shape the practices, and institutions of contemporary territorial governance. |
| author |
Barella, Jennifer |
| author_facet |
Barella, Jennifer |
| author_sort |
Barella, Jennifer |
| title |
Geodata and territorial governance: the institutional trajectory of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) |
| title_short |
Geodata and territorial governance: the institutional trajectory of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) |
| title_full |
Geodata and territorial governance: the institutional trajectory of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) |
| title_fullStr |
Geodata and territorial governance: the institutional trajectory of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Geodata and territorial governance: the institutional trajectory of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) |
| title_sort |
geodata and territorial governance: the institutional trajectory of the système d’information du territoire genevois (sitg) |
| publisher |
Netcom |
| publishDate |
2026 |
| container_title |
URI:https://journals.openedition.org/netcom |
| url |
https://ezproxy.univ-orleans.fr/login?url=https://doi.org/10.4000/15bp5 https://ezproxy.univ-orleans.fr/login?url=https://journals.openedition.org/netcom/10042 |
| _version_ |
1877291776323092480 |
| spelling |
openedition-oai:revues.org:netcom_10042 https://doi.org/10.4000/15bp5 urn:doi:10.4000/15bp5 https://journals.openedition.org/netcom/10042 2026-02-19T01:00:00Z info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess article info:eu-repo/semantics/article urn:handle:20.500.13089/15bp5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Geodata and territorial governance: the institutional trajectory of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) Netcom Netcom Association info:eu-repo/semantics/reference/issn/2431-210X info:eu-repo/semantics/reference/issn/0987-6014 URI:https://journals.openedition.org/netcom Barella, Jennifer Gouvernance territoriale ; Données géospatiales ; Infrastructures numériques ; Coopération territoriale Geospatial data; Data governance; Digital infrastructures; Territorial cooperation This paper explores the early emergence and evolution of a key geoinformation actor in the Geneva region. It traces the transformation of the Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) – initiated by a group of GIS enthusiasts – into a central actor in spatial data governance at the regional scale. Through a longitudinal analysis of institutional documents, the paper shows how SITG gradually accumulated institutional authority, emerging from bottom-up, technically driven collaborations rather than from a formal political roadmap. Over time, its influence expanded beyond cantonal borders, contributing to the shaping of the Greater Geneva agglomeration as a coherent territorial entity. This story shows how actors and data infrastructures do not simply support territorial governance; they actively constitute it. This empirical study contributes to debates in digital geography, spatial data governance, and territorial planning by foregrounding the socio-technical labour behind geodata actors and infrastructures. It argues that understanding how digital tools shape territorial governance requires close attention to the institutional pathways, informal practices, and embedded power relations that underpin their development. Rather than viewing spatial data systems as neutral supports for decision-making, the paper highlights their active role in constructing the informational and operational foundations of territorial governance. The case of SITG invites broader reflection on how digital infrastructures emerge, consolidate authority, and influence regional vison – particularly in complex, multilevel, and cross-border contexts. In doing so, the paper offers a grounded analysis of the quiet but consequential ways that spatial data infrastructures shape the practices, and institutions of contemporary territorial governance. Cet article explore l’émergence d’un acteur clé de la géoinformation dans la région genevoise. Il retrace la trajectoire du Système d’Information du Territoire Genevois (SITG) – initié par un réseau informel de passionnés de SIG – devenu, au fil du temps, un acteur central de la gouvernance des données spatiales à l’échelle régionale. À travers une analyse longitudinale de documents officiels internes, l’étude montre comment le SITG a progressivement accumulé une autorité institutionnelle, non pas à partir d’une feuille de route politique formelle, mais grâce à des collaborations techniques « par le bas », fondées sur des besoins opérationnels et une coordination pragmatique. Son influence s’est ensuite étendue au-delà du mandat cantonal, contribuant indirectement à la construction territoriale de l’agglomération du Grand Genève.Cette trajectoire illustre comment les acteurs et les infrastructures de données ne se contentent pas de soutenir la gouvernance territoriale : ils la constituent activement. En produisant des géodonnées interopérables, en coordonnant les standards techniques et en rendant visibles les contours d’un territoire commun, le SITG participe à la fabrication d’une entité territoriale.Cette étude empirique s’inscrit dans les débats en géographie numérique, gouvernance des données spatiales et aménagement territorial. Elle met en lumière le travail sociotechnique qui sous-tend la construction des acteurs et infrastructures de géo-données. Elle soutient que pour comprendre comment les outils numériques façonnent la gouvernance territoriale, il faut analyser les trajectoires institutionnelles, les pratiques informelles et les rapports de pouvoir dans lesquels ils s’inscrivent. Loin d’être neutres, ces infrastructures orientent les représentations, les pratiques et les cadres décisionnels. Le cas du SITG permet ainsi de réfléchir aux formes discrètes mais structurantes par lesquelles les systèmes d’information spatiale influencent la gouvernance territoriale contemporaine. |