Geographic scenario: a possible foundation for further development of virtual geographic environments

ABSTRACT

It has been two decades since virtual geographic environments (VGEs) were initially proposed. While relevant theories and technologies are evolving, data organization models have always been the foundation of VGE development, and they require further exploration. Based on the comprehensive consideration of the characteristics of VGEs, geographic scene is proposed to organize geographic information and data. We empirically find that geographic scene provides a suitable organization schema to support geo-visualization, geo-simulation, and geo-collaboration. To systematically investigate the concept and method of geographic scene, Geographic Scenario is proposed as the theory on developing geographic scene, and corresponding key issues of the Geographic Scenario are illustrated in this article. Prospects of the proposed method are discussed with the hope of informing future studies of VGEs.

KEYWORDS:

• Virtual geographic environments (VGEs)
• data organization
• geographic scene
• geographic scenario

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the detailed suggestions and constructive comments from the editor and the anonymous reviewers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Min Chen http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8922-8789

Additional information

Funding

This research was jointly supported by the Key Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 41631175]; The National Key Research and Development Program of China [grant number 2017YFB0503500]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 41622108]; and Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions [grant number 164320H116].