topi.link - A graph-based topologyfor vague geographical relations

• Main Author: Thiery, Florian
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Scandinavia; Norway; Finland; Sweden; Arctic Circle; North Cape; Arctic
• Online Access: https://zenodo.org/record/3252393; https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3252393

Data modelling in relational structures is a major part in geodesist's geodata modelling life. We use PostGIS databases, GeoServer applications using OGC standards, to share interoperable and open geodata via the World Wide Web. In addition, new modelling technologies allow NoSQL modelling, like graphs. Graph data is structured in nodes and edges. Geodesists know these structures if we look deeper into navigation systems technology by using the Dijkstra algorithm. However, to provide interoperable and semantic data, directed edge-coloured graphs, modelled in RDF using subjects, predicates and objects according to the principles of Linked (Open) Data[1] are necessary. LOD are already widely used in geodesy[2]: e.g. GeoSPARQL[3], LinkedGeoData[4] and Britains Ordnance Survey[5]. But what can we do if our data only consists of toponyms which have geographical relations without coordinate information? We could model these spatial relations[6] using the common DE-9IM[7] topological model; but in re- ality this nine relations are not enough. Moreover, these relations are very vague. Furthermore, inference making, e.g. for the property northOf [8], via reasoning[9], to create new knowledge, would be very cool: we need a 'little minion' to all this stuff. For modelling these kinds of vague geographical graph data, the Academic Meta Tool[10] (AMT) can be used: this paper focuses on prototypical examples of the 'topi Ontology'[11] by introducing AMT modelling strategies, the AMT JavaScript framework[12] and the topi.link playground[13].