About project

https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MPUHG

The National Scientific Project: State Plane Coordinate Reference System – Republic of North Macedonia represents a strategic and scientifically driven initiative to establish a unified national plane coordinate reference system (CRS). The creation of such a system is not only a technical undertaking but also a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring precision, interoperability, and sustainability in the management of geospatial data across the Republic of North Macedonia. The project responds to the increasing demands for reliable spatial data that serve a wide range of disciplines, including geodesy, cartography, topography, civil engineering, environmental monitoring, land management, and cadastral administration.

The overall objective of the project is to design and propose a state-level CRS that is scientifically rigorous, technically reliable, legally harmonized, and fully aligned with European and international geospatial standards. Such a system is envisioned to overcome the limitations of current practices, which are characterized by fragmentation, outdated methodologies, and insufficient adaptability to the growing needs of modern geospatial applications. The establishment of a new CRS is expected to enhance the accuracy of geospatial measurements, streamline institutional workflows, and provide a standardized framework for both public administration and private sector stakeholders.

To achieve these goals, the project has been structured into a series of interrelated work packages, each addressing a specific dimension of CRS development. Work Package 1 (WP1) examines the history and current conditions of coordinate reference systems in North Macedonia, providing a baseline for subsequent research. Work Package 2 (WP2) undertakes a systematic literature review, drawing upon scientific sources, technical guidelines, and international reports to ensure that the project builds upon a solid theoretical and methodological foundation. Work Package 3 (WP3) investigates the legal and institutional frameworks, emphasizing the necessity of harmonization with European directives and international conventions. Work Package 4 (WP4) expands the analysis by examining comparative models from other countries, thereby identifying best practices and adaptable strategies. Building on this groundwork, Work Package 5 (WP5) develops and evaluates alternative technical and methodological options for a future CRS, with a focus on accuracy, usability, legal conformity, and compatibility with global standards. Finally, Work Package 6 (WP6) outlines the roadmap toward implementation, including technical evaluations, stakeholder consultations, and preparation for institutional adoption.

An essential milestone in the life cycle of the project will be the International Scientific Conference, scheduled to take place in Skopje on September/October 2025 in a hybrid format (in-person and online). This event will provide a platform for the dissemination of project results, the exchange of knowledge with international experts, and the discussion of future directions for CRS implementation. By bringing together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and institutional representatives, the conference will highlight both the scientific contributions and the practical implications of the project.

In a broader perspective, the project embodies an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach that integrates geodetic science, cartographic methodology, legal analysis, and institutional capacity-building. Its outcomes are expected to significantly advance the modernization of North Macedonia’s spatial data infrastructure, ensuring that the country’s geospatial systems are fully compatible with those of the European Union and the wider international community. Moreover, by documenting methodologies, challenges, and lessons learned, the project will contribute to the global geospatial discourse and provide a model for similar initiatives in other countries.

Ultimately, the project aspires to establish a modern, reliable, and sustainable national plane coordinate reference system that not only addresses the current geospatial challenges of North Macedonia but also anticipates future needs in the era of digital transformation, smart governance, and integrated spatial data ecosystems.

Project scientific team: Prof.Dr. Bashkim Idrizi (head), Prof.Dr. Risto Ribarovski (co-head), Prof.Dr. Ismail Kabashi, Prof.Dr. Lyubka Pashova, Prof.Dr. Boris Paunovski, Prof.Dr. Pal Nikolli, Prof.Dr. Subija Izeiroski, and Prof Driton Imeri (project secretary). 

External scientific experts, given contribute on project by sharing experience on State Plane Coordinate Reference Systems: Georg Gartner, Temenoujka Bandrova, Miljenko Lapaine, Chryssy Potsiou, Bekim Fetaji, Fitore Bajrami Lubishtani, Ibrahim Oztug Bildirici, Danko Markovinovic, Vlado Cetl, Ismail Kabashi, Veton Hamza, Michael Gastner, Sagi Dalyot, Hartmut Mueller, Slobodanka Kljucanin, Fisnik Loshi, Dimitrios Ampatzidis, Alexandros Konstantinidis, Konstantinos Papatheodorou, Zoran Cvetkovski, Nikola Ribaroski, Nikola Kranjčić, Hrvoje Matijević, Anduel Cauli, Oltion Pupi, Sonila Sinjari, Xhulia Bygjymi, Denisa Kukajc, Javier Jimenez Shaw, Milot Lubishtani, Jochem Lesparre, Lennard Huisman.