Francisco PORRAS-BERNARDEZ
(Research Group Cartography, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria)
Keywords: cartography, geospatial semantic web, knowledge networks, linked data
Abstract:
The geospatial semantic web is an evolution of the semantic web in the spatial domain that aims to integrate geospatial information at the base of the semantic web. The main objective is to ease the integration and retrieval of spatial data. In order to represent geoinformation, it is required the construction of gazetteers and the development of spatial ontologies. The development and adoption of standards is fundamental for the evolution of the field, not only in the geo-domain but also in humanities.
Growing efforts in the development of cultural heritage knowledge networks can highly benefit from an intelligent referencing of cultural items within their geospatial framework (e.g. place of discovery). Items can be related between them and searched for in new ways based on complex semantic queries that could include spatial analysis involving topological relations. Recent advances point towards the representation of not only points, but also surfaces in linked data databases. We could envision a future of easy retrieving of knowledge and information from heterogeneous data sources of cultural heritage.
This presentation focuses on the geospatial extension of knowledge networks and highlights the importance of the geospatial semantic web. It adds to the principles of spatial data infrastructures and knowledge transfer in the world wide web.