Understanding relevance in maps through the use of knowledge graphs

ABSTRACT

The relation between the ontological and spatial dimensions is not always evident. A tool called SeMaptics that connects the two domains has been developed to better understand this relation. Ontological mapping allows for discrete ontologies to be projected into the spatial field. Such ontologies are regularly seen in a continuous or overlapping layered format in the spatial dimension. However, integrating both spaces results in a novel method, which could add additional perspectives to the map-making process. The objective is to link and map both dimensions enabling user interactions and enhancing semantic probing. This exploration contains some criteria of geographical relevance. These criteria allow for better identification of high-interest areas within any given dataset. SeMaptics implements a graph structure to accommodate graph visualisations using D3js. In this work data from an isolated administrative unit in Austria is presented under both the ontological and spatial dimensions. In order to identify the criteria elements that comprise geographical relevance. Such criteria points are over-viewed in this style of mapping to better understand relevance when exploring spatial data from a semantic viewpoint.

RÉSUMÉ

Les relations entre les dimensions ontologiques et spatiales non sont pas toujours évidentes. Un outil nommé SeMaptics qui connecte les deux domaines a été développé pour mieux comprendre ces relations. La cartographie ontologique permet de projeter les ontologies discrètes sur le champ spatial. De telles ontologies sont souvent vues dans un format en couche continue ou superposée à la dimension spatiale. Pourtant intégrer les deux dimensions aboutit à une nouvelle méthode qui pourrait apporter de nouvelles perspectives au processus de création de cartes. L'objectif est de lier et de cartographier les deux dimensions afin de faciliter les interactions utilisateurs et de mettre en valeur les vérifications sémantiques. Cette exploration contient certains critères de pertinence géographique. Ces critères permettent de mieux identifier les zones de grands intérêts dans un jeu de données. SeMaptics implémente une structure de graphe pour prendre en charge les visualisations de graphes avec D3js. Dans ce travail nous présentons des données d'une unité administrative en Autriche sous les dimensions ontologiques et spatiales afin d'identifier les éléments de critères qui constituent la pertinence géographique. Ces points de critères sont examinés dans ce style de cartographie afin de mieux comprendre leur pertinence lors de l'exploration des données spatiales d'un point de vue sémantique.

KEYWORDS:

• Knowledge graphs
• geographical relevance
• ontology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ceballos Cantú José Pablo

Ceballos Cantú José Pablo is a software developer focusing on geospatial technologies at WIGeoGIS (Austria) and a researcher at the Technical University of Vienna. He holds graduate certifications in engineering from Mexico's Autonomous University [UNAM]. Master in Science in Cartography from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Vienna University of Technology (TUW), and Technical University of Dresden (TUD) and Masters in Economics from Chinas Peking University (PKU - 北京大学), focusing on economic research through the use of geospatial technologies.

Jobst Markus

Jobst Markus studied geodesy in geo-information at the Vienna University of Technology (TUW). He then worked as a research assistant at the Institute for Geo-Information and Cartography at the Vienna University of Technology where he got his doctoral degree. Jobst received a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Hasso Plattner Institute University of Potsdam. He then joined the Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying in Vienna as a consultant, where he was appointed Chief Information Officer.

Gartner Georg

Gartner Georg is a Professor of Cartography and Geo-Mediatechniques at the Research Group of Cartography at the Vienna University of Technology. He holds graduate qualifications in geography and cartography from the University of Vienna and the Vienna University of Technology, including a habilitation. He served as Dean of Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Mathematics and Geoinformation of the Vienna University of Technology (TUW). He served as president of the International Cartographic Association (ICA).