Incorporating ideas of structure and meaning in interactive multi scale mapping environments

ABSTRACT Web based, slippy, scalable maps are common place. Interacting with such digital maps at varying levels of detail is key to interpretation, and exploration of different geographies. The process of abstraction remains key to the immediate and successful interpretation of their many structures and geographical associations found at any given scale. Meaning is derived from such recognisable structures and map generalisation plays a critical role in communicating an entity's most characteristic and salient qualities. But what are these structures? How (and why) do they change over scale? Why are such questions relevant to automated mapping? In this paper we reflect on the value of perceptual studies and reconsider the context in which map generalisation now takes place. We review developments in pattern recognition techniques and the role played by machine learning techniques in identifying high level structures in abstracted maps. The benefits of their application include derivation of ontological descriptions of landscape, identification and preservation of salient landmarks across scales. We argue that a 'structuralist based approach' provides a more meaningful basis for measuring success and achieving more meaningful outputs. Ultimately the ambition is greater levels of automation in map generalisation, particularly in the context of web based solutions.