Geospatial data integration with Semantic Web services: the eMerges approach

Geographic space still lacks the semantics allowing a unified view of spatial data. Indeed, as a unique but all encompassing domain, it presents specificities that geospatial applications are still unable to handle. Moreover, to be useful, new spatial applications need to match human cognitive abilities of spatial representation and reasoning. In this context, eMerges, an approach to geospatial data integration based on Semantic Web Services (SWS), allows the unified representation and manipulation of heterogeneous spatial data sources. eMerges provides this integration by mediating legacy spatial data sources to high-level spatial ontologies through SWS and by presenting for each object context dependent affordances. This generic approach is applied here in the context of an emergency management use case developed in collaboration with emergency planners of public agencies

Applying Association Rules and Co-location Techniques on Geospatial Web Services

Most contemporary GIS have only very basic spatial analysis and data mining functionality and many are confined to analysis that involves comparing maps and descriptive statistical displays like histograms or pie charts. Emerging Web standards promise a network of heterogeneous yet interoperable Web Services. Web Services would greatly simplify the development of many kinds of data integration and knowledge management applications. Geospatial data mining describes the combination of two key market intelligence software tools: Geographical Information Systems and Data Mining Systems. This research aims to develop a Spatial Data Mining web service it uses rule association techniques and correlation methods to explore results of huge amounts of data generated from crises management integrated applications developed. It integrates between traffic systems, medical services systems, civil defense and state of the art Geographic Information Systems and Data Mining Systems functionality in an open, highly extensible, internet-enabled plug-in architecture. The Interoperability of geospatial data previously focus just on data formats and standards. The recent popularity and adoption of the Internet and Web Services has provided a new means of interoperability for geospatial information not just for exchanging data but for analyzing these data during exchange. An integrated, user friendly Spatial Data Mining System available on the internet via a web service offers exciting new possibilities for spatial decision making and geographical research to a wide range of potential users.   Keywords: Spatial Data Mining, Rule Association, Co-location, Web Services, Geospatial Dat

A Scalable Tile Map Service for Distributing Dynamic Choropleth Maps

In this paper we propose a solution to several key limitations of current web based mapping systems: slow rendering speeds and the restriction of online map viewing to a small number of areal units as well as a limited number of users. Our approach is implemented as a Scalable Tile Map Service that distributes dynamic choropleth maps in real-time through a new caching methodology. This new Map Service lays the foundation for advances in web based applications reliant on dynamic map rendering such as emergency management systems and interactive exploratory spatial data analysis. We present the results of an empirical illustration in which this new methodology is used to facilitate collaborative decision making by visualizing spatial outcomes of simulation results on the fly.

RAPID WEBGIS DEVELOPMENT FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The use of spatial data during emergency response and management helps to make faster and better decisions. Moreover spatial data should be as much updated as possible and easy to access. To face the challenge of rapid and updated data sharing the most efficient solution is largely considered the use of internet where the field of web mapping is constantly evolving. ITHACA (Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperation and Action) is a non profit association founded by Politecnico di Torino and SITI (Higher Institute for the Environmental Systems) as a joint project with the WFP (World Food Programme). The collaboration with the WFP drives some projects related to Early Warning Systems (i.e. flood and drought monitoring) and Early Impact Systems (e.g. rapid mapping and assessment through remote sensing systems). The Web GIS team has built and is continuously improving a complex architecture based entirely on Open Source tools. This architecture is composed by three main areas: the database environment, the server side logic and the client side logic. Each of them is implemented respecting the MCV (Model Controller View) pattern which means the separation of the different logic layers (database interaction, business logic and presentation). The MCV architecture allows to easily and fast build a Web GIS application for data viewing and exploration. In case of emergency data publication can be performed almost immediately as soon as data production is completed. The server side system is based on Python language and Django web development framework, while the client side on OpenLayers, GeoExt and Ext.js that manage data retrieval and user interface. The MCV pattern applied to javascript allows to keep the interface generation and data retrieval logic separated from the general application configuration, thus the server side environment can take care of the generation of the configuration file. The web application building process is data driven and can be considered as a view of the current architecture composed by data and data interaction tools. Once completely automated, the Web GIS application building process can be performed directly by the final user, that can customize data layers and controls to interact with the

A geodatabase for multisource data applied to cultural heritage: The case study of Villa Revedin Bolasco

In this paper we present the results of the development of a Web-based archiving and documenting system aimed to the management of multisource and multitemporal data related to cultural heritage. As case study we selected the building complex of Villa Revedin Bolasco in Castefranco Veneto (Treviso, Italy) and its park. Buildings and park were built in XIX century after several restorations of the original XIV century area. The data management system relies on a geodatabase framework, in which different kinds of datasets were stored. More specifically, the geodatabase elements consist of historical information, documents, descriptions of artistic characteristics of the building and the park, in the form of text and images. In addition, we used also floorplans, sections and views of the outer facades of the building extracted by a TLS-based 3D model of the whole Villa. In order to manage and explore these rich dataset, we developed a geodatabase using PostgreSQL and PostGIS as spatial plugin. The Web-GIS platform, based on HTML5 and PHP programming languages, implements the NASA Web World Wind virtual globe, a 3D virtual globe we used to enable the navigation and interactive exploration of the park. Furthermore, through a specific timeline function, the user can explore the historical evolution of the building complex

Spatial data management for livestock distribution in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa. It is estimated at 105 million tropical livestock units, which includes 49.3 million heads of cattle, 47 million heads of sheep and goat, 8.3 million equines, 760 thousand camels and a poultry population of 38.13 million. The sector contributes to the livelihood of 60-70% of the Ethiopian population - this translates into approximately 44-52 million people whose subsidiary needs and economic activities rely on livestock production. Understanding the spatial distribution of livestock species is crucial in order to devise a feasible and geographically targeted livestock development policy. The aim of this study is to identify the research gap on the spatial distribution of livestock in LIVES project and to fill the gap by reviewing different literatures and related works. Besides, we proposed and developed a web-based spatial data management application for the LIVES project that makes use of researchers and academicians to have a ground reference to make further research and improve the internal operations of the organization, raises community satisfaction, and simplifies spatial data management and exchange. In order to conduct and justify this project we reviewed different journal articles and related works. In addition we have discussed with the GIS expert of LIVES project. In the mean time we have also collected livestock shape files from the LIVES project so as to use as an input to the proposed prototype web based application. Through the course of this project we were able to observer and identify that the LIVES project handles and manages their spatial data using ArcGIS Desktop application that lacks to handle and render up-to-date and quality livestock information via the web. We believed that having a web based application is necessary to permit timely livestock information dissemination, easy access, and render up-to-date livestock information to the ix public. Furthermore, it improves the efficiency of spatial data management and provides quality of services through the web

GeoDjango-Framwork-based Population and Social Economic Information System For China

We have constructed China population and social economic information system based on open source geographic Web framework GeoDjango. By comparing different WebGIS system structures, implementation patterns, spatial database management patterns and mainstream popular open source APIs, open source WebGIS framework GeoDjango, MVT pattern, Python and MySQL database, client-side browser framework openLayer were implemented. The database system utilized a Top-Down design method — DATAID-D to establish distributed database, and construct a uniform encoding standard, through normalized processes of the statistic yearbook, we constructed population and social economic database. This system has basic functions of web information publishing, spatial data storage, distributed management and spatial query. Additionally, the system is able to meet multi-user access issues, and have functions of population and economy data visualization, thematic mapping, query and statistics, charting and output, et.al