A multi-representation spatial data model

Abstract

Geo-referenced information is characterised by the fact that it may be represented on maps at different levels of detail or generalisation. Ideally a spatial database will provide access to spatial data across a continuous range of resolution and multiple levels of generalisation. Existing work on multi-resolution databases has treated generalisation control as one-dimensional. Here we extend the concept of multi-resolution spatial databases to provide support for multiple representations with variable resolution. Therefore the controls on generalisation become multi-dimensional with spatial resolution as one dimension and various types of generalisation style metrics as the other dimensions. We present a multi-representation spatial data model based on this approach and illustrate the implementation of multi-representation geometry in association with an online web demonstration. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.