Geospatial Data Management In Web Environment

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to present both methods and techniques followed in an international level for the organization, visualization, management and processing of geospatial data in web, utilizing modern tools of geographic information systems including specialized software and libraries for geographic information management in web browsers. Course objectives involve the combination of knowledge in different fields including cartography, geographic information systems and basic programming methods while, at the same time, require the understanding of basic elements related to the construction of information systems in the web. For this reason, the course includes both theoretical lectures and practical exercises aiming at the smooth shifting from theoretical concepts to the practical implementation of online maps and geospatial data infrastructures. Considering the fact that the modern approach of distributing cartographic products is based on the utilization of the world wide web, the knowledge acquired by the students in the course includes all the necessary supplies required in the industry. Based on the sections designed for the support of the course, the theoretical and the practical elements, which are comprehended in the framework of the course, are related to:

1. modern concepts and approaches applied in web mapping,
2. geospatial web services,
3. web map production and distribution,
4. the development and management of geospatial data infrastructures,
5. the development of specialized cartographic applications in web environment.

 

After the successful completions of the course, students acquire a set of knowledge and skills that allow them:

1. To organize the geographical information in appropriate structures towards its distribution in web environment, fully supporting the generation of integrated web geographic information systems and geospatial data infrastructures.
2. To successfully manage and modify existing web geographic information systems and geospatial data infrastructures.
3. To develop specialized web applications for professional, educational and research purposes.

Moreover, both the theoretical approaches and the practical tools taught in the course help students towards the elaboration of diploma theses in the field of Geoinformatics.

 

General Competences

• Search for, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology
• Adapting to new situations
• Decision-making
• Working independently
• Team work
• Criticism and self-criticism
• Production of free, creative and inductive thinking

 

SYLLABUS

Theoretical part of the Course

1. Introduction to web mapping:
   • Historical evolution of cartographic products nature: from analog to digital and web maps.
   • Web maps types.
   • Interactivity and navigation on digital and web maps.
   • Data structures and file formats used for the digital representation and management of geospatial data in web environment.
   • Basic web maps applications.
2. Geospatial web services:
   • Basic principles of web services.
   • Architecture of web mapping systems.
   • Standards and protocols for the management of geographic information and the support of geospatial services in the web.
   • Geographic information servers.
3. Web maps production and distribution:
   • Cartographic visualization principles for the representation of geographical information: variables and methods for geospatial data visualization.
   • Graphic design principles of web map layout.
   • Opportunities and limitations in geographical information visualization in the web.
4. Geospatial data infrastructures:
   • Architectures of geospatial data infrastructure systems.
   • Development of geospatial infrastructure to support experts, non-experts, and stakeholders.
   • Interoperability of geospatial data infrastructures and international standards for systems development.
   • Legislative framework.
   • National and international geospatial data infrastructures.
5. Web mapping applications development:
   • Basic technologies and programming languages for the development of cartographic applications in web environment.
   • Software libraries for the management and processing of geospatial data in web environment.
   • Best practices and examples of web mapping applications.

 

Lab Part of the Course
• Geospatial data organization and homogenization for their distribution using web maps and geospatial data infrastructures
• Cartographic visualization of geographical information in web environment
• Geographical information retrieval and update using geospatial data infrastructures
• Source code parametrization for web mapping

 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Language of evaluation: Greek
Methods of evaluation:
• Written exam at the end of the semester (multiple choice questionnaires, short-answer questions, & problem-solving questions)
• Homework (practical exercises on both theoretical and practical objectives related to the course)
• Oral presentation
• Semester exercise

 

ATTACHED BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Tsoulos, L., Skopeliti, A., & Stamou, L. (2015). Cartographic composition and production in digital environment (In Greek). [ebook] Athens:Hellenic Academic Libraries Link. Available Online at: http://hdl.handle.net/11419/2506.
2. Clarke, K. C. (2014). Maps & Web Mapping. Pearson.
3. Kraak, J. M., & Brown, A. (2003). Web cartography. CRC Press.
4. Mitchell, T. (2005). Web mapping illustrated: using open source GIS toolkits. O’Reilly Media, Inc.
5. Muehlenhaus, I. (2013). Web cartography: map design for interactive and mobile devices. CRC Press.
6. Peterson, M. P. (1995). Interactive and animated cartography. Prentice Hall.
7. Stefanakis, E. (2015). Web Mapping and Geospatial Web Services, Fredericton.
8. Williamson, I. P., Rajabifard, A., & Feeney, M. E. F. (2004). Developing spatial data infrastructures: from concept to reality. CRC Press.