Administrative boundary CODs include:
Geographic boundaries in shapefile, geodatabase, and other formats, often including live geoservices. Some countries also have edge-matched administrative boundary variants. (See COD-AB-EM.)
COD-AB datasets can be linked by database or GIS to COD-PS datasets, when available using the P-codes as a key.
Boundaries and gazetteers reflect the country’s specific administrative hierarchy.
COD-AB datasets are adopted by the country or regional Information Management Working Group as the standard.
COD-AB datasets are GIS (Geographic Information System) layers that can be used for GIS mapping or analysis. COD-AB
COD-AB polygon layers
COD-AB lines layers
COD-AB file formats and distribution
COD-AB reviews and updates
COD-AB (and COD-EM) datasets should be reviewed every 12 months by the responsible Country Office or Regional Office, with the support of FIS.
The 12-month review process determines which of the following categories apply for each COD-AB:
The country administrative structure has changed such that the COD-AB should be updated.
The COD-AB has errors that should be corrected.
New data has been discovered that could improve the COD-AB (such as more accurate boundaries or a deeper administrative level).
The COD-AB requires no changes.
If a COD-AB belongs to any of the first three categories the responsible Country Office or Regional Office works with the support of FIS to implement the update. If the COD-AB is an ‘enhanced COD’ (or if the change it is a strategic opportunity to promote the COD-AB from ‘standard’ to ‘enhanced’) ITOS is brought in to verify, standardize, and provide geoservices for the updated version.
COD-AB dissemination
COD-AB datasets are disseminated in two ways:
Dissemination as HDX datasets.
COD-AB datasets (and all other COD datasets) are available on the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX). All HDX country pages (listings of datasets for a particular location) and other dataset listings have a “CODs” filter with “Standard COD” and “Enhanced COD” sub-filters.
Selecting these filters reduces the listings accordingly.
HDX COD-AB datasets typically include the following resources:
shapefiles of all layers
EMF files of all layers
geodatabases of all layers
tabular data
HDX COD-AB metadata typically includes
start and end-dates - defining the period for which the COD-AB boundaries represent (if ongoing) or represented (if requiring updates) the established, often legislated reality.