Multidimensional Geographic Information Science (Geographic Information Systems Workshop)

This text focuses on the ways in which GIS could be made multi-dimensional, based on modelling limitations of current two-dimensional GIS. It suggests extending GIS to incorporate the third dimension, 3D GIS, and spatio-temporal GIS. Book Cover; Half-Title; Title; Copyright; Contents; List of Figures; List of Tables; List of Plates; Acknowledgements; Dedication; Preface; Part I Introduction; Part II Introduction; References; Index The Worldview Of Geographic Information Science -- Discipline -- Theoretical Commitments Of The Gisc Worldview -- Metaphysics -- Ontology -- Epistemology -- Philosophy Of Mind -- Linguistics -- Cognitive Science -- Informatics -- The Possibility Of Gisc -- Two-dimensional Representations Of Space -- Metaphysics Of Space And Place -- Metaphors For Geographical Thinking -- Metaphysics Of Geographical And Spatial Representation -- Social Conceptions Of Geographic Space -- Naive Geography -- Psychology Of Realism -- Space And Spaces -- Metaphysical Implications -- Ontology Of Space -- Geographical Kinds -- Are There Geographic Kinds To Find? -- How Do We Characterise Geographic Kinds? -- How Certain Are We Of The Identity Of Geographical Kinds? -- Cognitive Maps -- Scale And Space -- Spatial Knowledge, Knowledge Representation And Spatial Reasoning -- Space In Language -- Space In Representational Art -- Social Constitution Of Spatial Concepts -- Absolute And Relative Views Of Space -- Ontological Implications -- Epistemologies Of Space -- The Evolution Of Epistemological Theories Of Space -- Epistemological Commitments Of Contemporary Research On Space -- Positivism -- Neo-positivism -- Post-positivism -- The Origins Of Two-dimensional Spatial Representation -- History Of Mathematics, Physics And Geometry -- History Of Cartographic Representation -- Maps As Representations Of Space -- Maps And Mapping -- Maps And Communication About Space In The Narrow Sense -- Mapping As Representation In The Broad Sense. Jonathan Raper. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 239-285) And Index.

The way people normally view a GIS is 2-dimensional, a greatly limiting form. However, as developments occur within the field, researchers and practitioners are finding ways to make a GIS 3-dimensional, and in some instances even 4-dimensional. Being able to view a GIS in more than 2 dimensions greatly enhances its usability.
This forward-looking text, looks at the ways in which 3- and 4-dimensional (multidimensional) GIS can be incorporated into the area in the future using a variety of programming techniques. The author of this unique book also discusses current examples and uses of multidimensional GIS in the field and shows the way forward for users in the coming years.

Geographic Information Systems mainly tend to be two dimensional, thus limiting the applications. As GIS are being developed, researchers and practioners are finding new ways of making GIS three dimensional, even four dimensional in some instances, increasing their usability. This book focuses on the way in which GIS could be made `multidimensional' based on the modelling limitations of current 2D GIS. It suggests extending GIS to incorporate the third and fourth dimensions, as well as time (spatio-temporal GIS), using a variety of programming techniques and discusses current examples of multidimensional GIS. Geographic information science (GISc) is a new field of study that has emerged since the early 1990s.