Towards a unified framework for spatial data models

Abstract

This paper describes a unified framework for the problems of modelling and processing spatial entities. We propose a general definition of spatial objects, and show that the different types of spatial data can be expressed as particular cases of this definition. Furthermore, we present a taxonomy for the various types of GIS operations, defined in terms of the properties of this definition. Our goal is to argue that GIS data types and operations can be defined based on a single formal notion, which encapsulates the GIS concepts of both continuous fields and discrete features, with important consequences for system and interface design, interoperabilty issues and language proposal.

Design and demonstration of a data model to integrate agent-based and field-based modelling

“…Software Applications Fields Longley et al (2011), Burrough and McDonnell (1998) MATLAB (MATLAB, 2012), PCRaster (Karssenberg et al, 2010;van Deursen, 1995), RasDaMan (Baumann et al, 1999) Hydrological models (Sutanudjaja et al, 2011), air pollution modelling (Hoek et al, 2008) Agents Grimm and Railsback (2013) GAMA (Grignard et al, 2014), RePast (North et al, 2013), TerraME (Carneiro et al, 2013), NetLogo (NetLogo, 2012), Mason/GeoMason (Sullivan et al, 2010) Economic modelling (Parker and Filatova, 2008), social simulation (Ziervogel et al, 2005) Agents with internal variation Clarke (2007) (deltatrons) no generic integrated software implementations known Cloud cover and solar radiation (Kocifaj and K omar, 2016), reflection of glaciers (Mernild et al, 2015), air pollution (Jjumba and Dragicevic, 2015), sediment modelling (Karssenberg and Bridge, 2008), tree growth (Valentine and M€ akel€ a, 2005) Networks Galton and Worboys (2005), Goodrich and Tamassia (2002) graph-tool (Peixoto, 2014), R (R Core Team, 2013), NetworkX (Hagberg et al, 2008) Farm/household interactions (Berger, 2001) Integration of fields and agents Ferreira et al (2014), OGC (2011), Voudouris (2010), Liu et al (2008), Moreno et al (2008), Goodchild et al (2007), Kjenstad (2006), Cova and Goodchild (2002), Câmara et al (2000) TerraME (Carneiro et al, 2013) Air pollution (Jjumba and Dragicevic, 2015), animals and environment (Schippers et al, 2014), ...…”

“…Transition rules determine how the objects transform during a simulation, supported by the vectorization and rasterization between rasters and objects. Data models proposing an integration of objects and fields have been described in Câmara et al (2000), Kjenstad (2006) and Voudouris (2010). Câmara et al (2000) presents the geographical object, under which simple, composite, homogeneous and non-homogeneous geo-objects are classified.…”

“…Data models proposing an integration of objects and fields have been described in Câmara et al (2000), Kjenstad (2006) and Voudouris (2010). Câmara et al (2000) presents the geographical object, under which simple, composite, homogeneous and non-homogeneous geo-objects are classified. A minimal set of common GIS operations on these types of geographical objects is introduced.…”

Towards a General Field model and its order in GIS

“…Obviously, at this abstraction level, a field is represented based on a series of discrete objects. Hence, there have also been efforts to unify geospatial models in an object-based approach (Nunes 1991, Câ mara et al 2000. This approach is not in conflict with the proposed G-Field model, since the latter is defined at the conceptual level, while object-based unified models are at the logic level.…”

On the hyperfield or field-of-field concept

“…The international standards (ISO 19123:2005, OGC 2006) still speak about coverage models when defining their conceptual level and implementation level data models. However, the field plays a major role when it comes to discussions concerning unifying or going beyond the fundamental field and object models in GIS (Câmara et al 2000, Winter and Frank 2000, Galton 2001, Cova and Goodchild 2002, Kjenstad 2006, Goodchild et al 2007, Voudouris 2010. In general, such discussions require a rigorous treatment of the foundations of the field models.…”