3D GeoInfo aims to bring together international state-of-the-art research and facilitate the dialogue on emerging topics in the field of 3D geo-information. The conference offers an interdisciplinary forum in the fields of 3D data collection and modeling; reconstruction and methods for 3D representation; data management for maintenance of 3D geo-information or 3D data analysis and visualization. The book covers the best papers from 3D GeoInfo held in Istanbul in November 2013.

Economists, geographers and surveyors are beginning to recognise the powerful tool which a Geographical Information System (GIS) offers in effective property management. It provides a means of managing land and property information digitally and in a geographical context, and allows for rapid access to information and a means of analysing that information in a geographical context.
GIS in Land and Property Management shows how to use GIS, both in principle and in practice. It introduces digital mapping and GIS, along with a brief history of the development of GIS and LIS, all with an emphasis on property. In presenting the spectrum of GIS applications in property management it gives a number of case studies from a variety of market sectors, and it analyses the issues to provide guidance and a number of recommendations for the implementation of GIS. At the same time common themes and issues are drawn out to present a coherent message for students and practitioners.
The book is useful for undergraduate and postgraduate students on land management, built environment, economics and geography courses, and for property professionals, in both public and private sectors, looking to GIS as a property management decision aid.

A synthesis of more than ten years of experience, Remote Sensing Image Fusion covers methods specifically designed for remote sensing imagery. The authors supply a comprehensive classification system and rigorous mathematical description of advanced and state-of-the-art methods for pansharpening of multispectral images, fusion of hyperspectral and panchromatic images, and fusion of data from heterogeneous sensors such as optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and integration of thermal and visible/near-infrared images. They also explore new trends of signal/image processing, such as compressive sensing and sparse signal representations. The book brings a new perspective to a multidisciplinary research field that is becoming increasingly articulate and comprehensive. It fosters signal/image processing methodologies toward the goal of information extraction, either by humans or by machines, from remotely sensed images. The authors explain how relatively simple processing methods tailored to the specific features of the images may be winning in terms of reliable performance over more complex algorithms based on mathematical theories and models unconstrained from the physical behaviors of the instruments. Ultimately, the book covers the births and developments of three generations of RS image fusion. Established textbooks are mainly concerned with the earliest generation of methods. This book focuses on second generation methods you can use now and new trends that may become third generation methods. Only the lessons learned with second generation methods will be capable of fostering the excellence among the myriad of methods that are proposed almost every day by the scientific literature.

Implement Your Own Applications Using Online GIS An in-depth study detailing the online applications of geographic information systems (GIS), Online GIS and Spatial Metadata, Second Edition outlines how GIS data are published, organized, accessed, searched, maintained, purchased, and processed over the web. This latest work describes how the internet has become a platform for the delivery and integration of geographic information. It highlights the growth that has taken place since the first edition and includes new chapters on popular XML formats used in online GIS, SDI Metadata Portals, Mobile GIS and Location-Based services. It also updates metadata standards and explains how metadata links it all together. Designed To Help Non-Technical Readers Understand Technical Issues The book provides a brief overview of the basic technology of online GIS before introducing the technical methods used to develop and implement GIS on the web. It includes an introduction to the protocols and standards now in use online and provides technical background and real-world examples of scripts, markup, and other elements that make this technology work. Expanding on the previous edition, the book offers a global perspective of online GIS, contains links and references to online resources, and includes future directions, applications, and trends. Reviewing major advances that have occurred over the past decade, this seminal work: Discusses the detail of four XML-based standards now in common use for Online GIS and spatial metadata Outlines the nature of Information Networks, systems in which information is distributed across many different sites Examines the conceptual framework of metadata, by studying the RDF and similar standards for the Web Describes several metadata standards in use around the world for spatial metadata P

Designed to be a high-level, approachable resource for engineers who need further insight into spatial temporal information systems from an ontological perspective, Spatial Temporal Information Systems: An Ontological Approach using STK (R) explains the dynamics of objects interaction from signal analysis to trajectory design, spatial modeling, and other spatial analytics by using STK (R), which is a general-purpose modeling and analysis application for any type of space, defense, or intelligence system. Building a foundation to begin the study of spatial temporal information systems, the book details a form of analysis that is a powerful tool for modeling, engineering, and operations of space, cyberspace, satellites, missile defense, and electronic systems. It discusses the many applications of space technologies by using a mission-proven software for timely and cost-effective development that serves public interests in civil, commercial, academic, national, and international space communities. Written for readers with a background in physics or engineering, the book is also designed for the beginning analyst sitting behind a desk who needs more information on STK. Upon reading this book, STK new users and power users will not only understand what the tools are, but also how the software can be used to make their job easier. In addition, satellite operators and analysts benefit from the ability to utilize a variety of propagators satellite applications. Analytics, semi-analytic and numerical integrators are discussed, including Keplerian orbital elements and full numerical integration of STK's High Precision Orbit Propagation or simplified as a two-body analysis. This tool, as well as this book, will bring breadth and depth to the understanding of systems dynamics and the ontology of objects in relationship to other objects and vehicles including central bodies.

Future remote sensing systems will make extensive use of Compressive Sensing (CS) as it becomes more integrated into the system design with increased high resolution sensor developments and the rising earth observation data generated each year. Written by leading experts in the field Compressive Sensing of Earth Observations provides a comprehensive and balanced coverage of the theory and applications of CS in all aspects of earth observations. This work covers a myriad of practical aspects such as the use of CS in detection of human vital signs in a cluttered environment and the corresponding modeling of rib-cage breathing. Readers are also presented with three different applications of CS to the ISAR imaging problem, which includes image reconstruction from compressed data, resolution enhancement, and image reconstruction from incomplete data.

Remote Sensing of Impervious Surfaces in Tropical and Subtropical Areas offers a complete and thorough system for using optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) remote sensing data for improving impervious surface estimation (ISE). Highlighting tropical and subtropical areas where there is significant cloud occurrence and varying phenology, the book addresses the challenges impacting impervious surfaces in tropical and subtropical zones. It examines the potential for estimating urban impervious surfaces in a rainy and cloudy environment, considers the difficulties encountered when using optical remote sensing in this type of climate, and assesses existing methods employing remote sensing data for accurate ISE in tropical and subtropical regions. Using the results of comparative studies conducted during the four seasons and in six different cities (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Sao Paulo, and Cape Town), the authors develop a framework for ISE using optical and SAR image data. They address the advantages and disadvantages of optical and SAR data, consider fusion strategies for combining optical and SAR data, and examine different feature extractions for optical and SAR data. They also detail the limitations of the research, suggest possible topics for future analysis, and cover previous findings on the synergistic use of optical and SAR data. Concentrates on the effect a tropical and subtropical urban climate can have on impervious surface estimation (ISE) Reviews literature on the significance of ISE and the phonological and climatic characteristics of tropical and subtropical regions Describes datasets including satellite data, digital orthophoto data, in situ data, and more Remote Sensing of Impervious Surfaces in Tropical and Subtropical Areas investigates the state of the art in creating new algorithms for digital imag

Economists, geographers and surveyors are beginning to recognise the powerful tool which a Geographical Information System (GIS) offers in effective property management. It provides a means of managing land and property information digitally and in a geographical context, and allows for rapid access to information and a means of analysing that information in a geographical context.
GIS in Land and Property Management shows how to use GIS, both in principle and in practice. It introduces digital mapping and GIS, along with a brief history of the development of GIS and LIS, all with an emphasis on property. In presenting the spectrum of GIS applications in property management it gives a number of case studies from a variety of market sectors, and it analyses the issues to provide guidance and a number of recommendations for the implementation of GIS. At the same time common themes and issues are drawn out to present a coherent message for students and practitioners.
The book is useful for undergraduate and postgraduate students on land management, built environment, economics and geography courses, and for property professionals, in both public and private sectors, looking to GIS as a property management decision aid.

Contents:
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Contents
List of contributors
List of Figures
List of tables
List of abbreviations
List of Appendices
Preface

CHAPTER 1 SDIs
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Building Spatial Data Infrastructures
1.2.1 Building Human Capacity through Partnerships and Networks
1.2.2 Support Resources for Developing the People Developing SDIs
1.3 Strengthening Institutional Capacity
1.3.1 The Need for Capacity Building to Facilitate SDI Development.
1.3.2 The Role of Research in SDI Development.
1.4 Sustainable Development as a research driver
1.4.1 The Triple Bottom Line
1.4.2 Technology
1.5 SDI development into the future
1.6 Conclusion
1.7 References

CHAPTER 2 Spatial Data Infrastructures:Concept, Nature And SDI Hierarchy
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Need for Spatial Data
2.2.1 Sharing Spatial Data
2.2.2 Spatial Data and Decision Support Systems
2.3 Spatial Data Infrastructure
2.3.1 SDI Nature and Characteristics
(a) Partnerships
(b) Different Views to Understanding and Development
(c) The Importance of People
(d) Dynamic Nature
2.3.2 Current SDI initiatives (Global, Regional, National, State, Local)
2.4 SDI Hierarchy
2.4.1 The Theory of Hierarchy
(a) Definition of Hierarchy
(b) Purpose and Levels of a Hierarchical Structure
2.4.2 Hierarchical Reasoning
(a) Principles of HSR
(b) Properties of Hierarchies
2.4.3 Different Views on SDI Hierarchy
2.5 Applying Hierarchy Theory on SDIs
2.5.1 Hierarchy Theory and An SDI Hierarchy
2.6 Relationships among Different SDIs
2.7 Conclusion

CHAPTER 3 Global Initiatives
3.1 Introduction
3.2 GSDI
3.2.1 History and Background
3.2.2 SDI Components and Organisational Model
3.2.3 SDI Current Status of Development
3.2.4 Issues and Challenges
3.2.5 Future Plans and Discussion
3.3 Global Map
3.3.1 Background
3.3.2 SDI Components and Organisational Model
(a) Institutional Arrangements
(b) Technical Standards
(c) Fundamental Data
3.3.3 SDI Current Status of Development
3.3.4 Issues and Challenges
3.3.5 Future Plans and Discussion
3.4 Other Multi-National Initiatives
3.5 Evaluation of Global Initiatives
3.6 Recommendations and Future Directions
3.7 References

CHAPTER 4 Regional SDIs
4.1 Introduction
4.2 European Umbrella Organisation For Geographic Information (EUROGI)
4.2.1 History and background
4.2.2. Current Status
4.2.3. Issues and Challenges
4.3 Permanent Committee On GIS Infrastructure For Asia And The Pacific (PCGIAP)
4.3.1 History and Background
4.2.1 Current Status of Development
(a) Institutional Framework
(b) Technical Standards
(c) Fundamental Datasets
(d) Access network
4.3.3 Issues and Challenges
4.3.4 Future Plans and Discussions
4.4 Permanent Committee On Spatial Data Infrastructure For The Americas (PCIDEA)
4.4.2 Current Status
4.4.3 Issues and Challenges
4.5 Comparative Evaluation
4.6 References

CHAPTER 5 Regional SDI Diffusion
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Asia and the Pacific region and Regional SDI activities: a case study
5.2.1 Current Progress of PCGIAP and APSDI development
5.3 SDI Diffusion
5.4 Influencing Factors for Regional SDI Diffusion
5.4.1 Environmental Factors
5.4.2 Capacity Factors
5.4.3 SDI Organisation Factors
5.5 SDI Development Models
5.6 Recommendations
5.6.1 Organisational Restructure
5.6.2 Redesign Future Strategy Based on Asia-Pacific Social System
5.6.3 Modify APSDI Conceptual Model
5.6.4 Adopting SDI Process-Based Model
5.7 Conclusion and Recommendations
5.8 References

CHAPTER 6 National SDI Initiatives
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Overview on National SDI
6.3 Role and Relationships within SDI Hierarchy
6.4 Current Situation
6.4.1 First Generation of National SDI Initiatives
a) Australia SDI
b) USA National SDI
6.4.2 Second Generation of National SDI Initiatives
a) National Geographic Information Infrastructure for Lebanon
b) Iranian National Spatial Data Infrastructure
6.4.3 Comparative Analysis
6.5 Recommendations and Future Directions
6.6 References

CHAPTER 7 State SDI Initiatives
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Spatial Information
8.4.1 ANZLIC
8.4.2 Public Sector Mapping Agencies
8.4.3 Spatial Information Industry Action Agenda
8.4.4 Australian Spatial Information Business Association
8.4.5 Spatial Sciences Coalition
8.4.6 Spatial Information Cooperative Research Centre
8.5 ASDI Implementation
8.5.1 Fundamental Datasets
8.5.2 Australian Spatial Data Directory (ASDD)
8.5.3 ASDI Clearinghouse Definition
8.5.4 Pricing Policy
8.6 Current Issues And Future Directions
8.7 References

CHAPTER 9 State SDI Development: A Victorian Perspective
9.1 Introduction
9.1.1 Administration of Spatial Information
9.1.2 Development of State SDI
9.1.3 Spatial Information for Victoria: Early Beginnings
9.2 Victoria's Strategy for building SDI
9.2.1 Framework Information
9.2.2 Key Business Information
9.2.3 Custody
9.2.4 Metadata
9.2.5 Access Infrastructure
9.2.6 Pricing and Licensing
9.2.7 Spatial Accuracy
9.2.8 Awareness
9.3 Role and Responsibility for Developing Victorian SDI
9.4 Building Blocks Of Victoria's SDI
9.4.1 Land Exchange
9.4.2 Property Information Project (PIP)
9.4.3 Rural Addressing
9.4.4 Online Service Delivery
9.4.5 Land Channel
9.4.6 Land Channel Sales
9.5 Role within the Australian SDI Development
9.5.1 Growing the Private Sector
9.5.2 Participation in Standards Development
9.5.3 Jurisdictional Linkages
9.6 Conclusion
9.7 References

CHAPTER 10 SDI Development: Roles of Local and Corporate SDIs
10.1 Introduction
10.1.1 The Concept of SDI
10.2 Local SDI Development at Geelong
10.2.1 History of Geelong SDI Development
10.2.2 Current Geelong SDI (components and organisation model)
10.2.3 Linkages of Greater Geelong SDI through corporate SDI
10.3 Corporate SDI in multi-level SDI development- the case of DNRE
10.3.1 Catchment and Water
10.3.2 Parks Flora and Fauna
10.3.3. Department wide effort
10.4 Some patterns of SDI development
10.4.1 Some good practices
10.4.2 Two scales of SDI development
10.5 Conclusions
10.6 References

CHAPTER 11 Sustainable Development, the Place for SDIs and the Case for E-Governance
11.1 Introduction
11.2 The Effect on Government
11.2.1 Participatory Administration
11.2.2 Social Capital
11.3 The Role for SDIs
11.4 The Case for E-Governance
11.5 Conclusion

CHAPTER 12 Spatial Data Infrastructures and Descision-Support
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Spatial Decision-Making
12.2.1 Decision Process
12.2.2 Decision Complexity
12.2.3 Participation in Decision-Making
12.2.4 Measuring Reach and Range for Decision Support
12.3 The Role of SDIs in Decision-Support
12.4 Institutional Frameworks to Support Decision-Making
12.4.1 People
12.4.2 Policies
12.4.3 Mechanisms
12.5 The Case for Decision-Enabled SDI
12.6 Conclusions
12.7 References

CHAPTER 13 Financing Spatial Data Infrastructure Development: Examining Alternative Funding Models
13.1 Introduction
13.2 The Economic issues of SDI implementation
13.3 The Concept of SDI Funding Models
13.3.1 Funding Models of the First Generation of SDIs
13.4 Alternative Funding Models
13.4.1 Infrastructure Classification
(a) Natural Monopoly
13.4.2 Funding Models for SDIs Classified as Classic Infrastructures/Natural Monopolies
13.4.3 Funding Models for SDIs Classified as Network Infrastructures
13.5 Customizing the Alternative Funding Models for Emerging Nations
13.6 Conclusion
13.7 References

CHAPTER 14 Developing Evaluation and Performance Indicators for SDIs
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Land Administration Systems and the Role of SDIs
14.3 Evaluation And A Framework For Evaluation
14.4 Evaluation of SDIs
14.5 Conclusions
14.6 References


CHAPTER 15 Administrative Boundary Design in Support of SDI Objectives
15.1 Introduction
15.2 A Definition of the Spatial Hierarchy Problem
15.2.1 The First Solution: surface modelling
15.2.2 The Second Solution: data interpolation
15.2.3 The Third Solution: derived boundaries
15.2.4 The Fourth Solution: re-aggregation
15.3 Administrative Boundaries within SDI
15.3.1 Access
15.3.2 People
15.3.3 Data
(a) Confidentiality
(b) The modifiable-area-unit problem (MAUP)
15.3.4 Technical standards
(a) Hierarchical spatial reasoning (HSR) applied to administrative boundaries
(b) The structure of administrative boundaries
15.3.5 Policy
15.3.6 Summary
15.4 Conclusion
15.5 References

CHAPTER 16 SDI and Location Based Wireless Applications
16.1 Introduction
16.2 SDI as a foundation for location based services
16.3 Augmenting the SDI Model
16.3.1 Access Network
16.3.2 Policies
16.3.3 Standards
16.3.4 Data
16.3.5 People
16.4 Framework to Facilitate Wireless Applications
16.4.1 SDI Requirements
16.4.2 User Environment
16.5 Case Study
16.5.1 Use Case Scenarios
16.6 Discussion, Recommendations and Future Directions
16.7 References

CHAPTER 17 SDI and Positional Accuracy
17.1 Introduction
17.2 SDI And Positional Accuracy
17.3 Some Definitions
17.3.1 Reference Systems and Reference Frames
17.3.2 Dynamic Reference Frames
17.3.3 Height Datums
17.3.4 Coordinate Systems
17.3.5 Error
17.3.6 Positional Accuracy
17.3.7 Precision
17.4 Spatial Data Referencing
17.5 Transforming between different reference frames
17.6 Measuring and Recording Positional ACCURACY
17.7 Case Study 1: The GEOcentric datum of Australia
17.8 Case Study 2: PCGIAP
17.9 Conclusions And Recommendations
17.10 References

CHAPTER 18 Future Direction for SDI Development
18.1 Introduction
18.2 SDI Development Issues
18.3 SDI Development Models
18.3.1 The Product and Process-based Models
18.3.2 Assessment of Current SDI Initiatives
18.4 Relationships between SDI Hierarchy and different Models of SDI Development
18.5 Conclusion and Recommendations
18.6 References

In an age of unprecedented proliferation of data from disparate sources the urgency is to create efficient methodologies that can optimise data combinations and at the same time solve increasingly complex application problems. "Integration of GIS and Remote Sensing" explores the tremendous potential that lies along the interface between GIS and remote sensing for activating interoperable databases and instigating information interchange. It concentrates on the rigorous and meticulous aspects of analytical data matching and thematic compatibility - the true roots of all branches of GIS/remote sensing applications. However closer harmonization is tempered by numerous technical and institutional issues, including scale incompatibility, measurement disparities, and the inescapable notion that data from GIS and remote sensing essentially represent diametrically opposing conceptual views of reality.

The first part of the book defines and characterises GIS and remote sensing and presents the reader with an awareness of the many scale, taxonomical and analytical problems when attempting integration. The second part of the book moves on to demonstrate the benefits and costs of integration across a number of human and environmental applications.

This book is an invaluable reference for students and professionals dealing not only with GIS and remote sensing, but also computer science, civil engineering, environmental science and urban planning within the academic, governmental and commercial/business sectors.

Satellite remote sensing, in particular by radar altimetry, is a crucial technique for observations of the ocean surface and of many aspects of land surfaces, and of paramount importance for climate and environmental studies. This book provides a state-of-the-art overview of the satellite altimetry techniques and related missions, and reviews the most-up-to date applications to ocean dynamics and sea level. It also discusses related space-based observations of the ocean surface and of the marine geoid, as well as applications of satellite altimetry to the cryosphere and land surface waters; operational oceanography and its applications to navigation, fishing and defense.

China Satellite Navigation Conference (CSNC 2020) Proceedings presents selected research papers from CSNC 2020 held during 22nd-25th November in Chengdu, China. These papers discuss the technologies and applications of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and the latest progress made in the China BeiDou System (BDS) especially. They are divided into 13 topics to match the corresponding sessions in CSNC2020, which broadly covered key topics in GNSS. Readers can learn about the BDS and keep abreast of the latest advances in GNSS techniques and applications.

In this book, Claire Reddleman introduces her theoretical innovation "cartographic abstraction" - a material modality of thought and experience that is produced through cartographic techniques of depiction. Reddleman closely engages with selected artworks (by contemporary artists such as Joyce Kozloff, Layla Curtis, and Bill Fontana) and theories in each chapter. Reconfiguring the Foucauldian underpinning of critical cartography towards a materialist theory of abstraction, cartographic viewpoints are theorised as concrete abstractions. This research is positioned at the intersection of art theory, critical cartography and materialist philosophy.

Integrating Scale in Remote Sensing and GIS serves as the most comprehensive documentation of the scientific and methodological advances that have taken place in integrating scale and remote sensing data. This work addresses the invariants of scale, the ability to change scale, measures of the impact of scale, scale as a parameter in process models, and the implementation of multiscale approaches as methods and techniques for integrating multiple kinds of remote sensing data collected at varying spatial, temporal, and radiometric scales. Researchers, instructors, and students alike will benefit from a guide that has been pragmatically divided into four thematic groups: scale issues and multiple scaling; physical scale as applied to natural resources; urban scale; and human health/social scale. Teeming with insights that elucidate the significance of scale as a foundation for geographic analysis, this book is a vital resource to those seriously involved in the field of GIScience.

First published in 1982, this is one of Mary Douglas' favourite books. It is based on her meetings with friends in which they attempt to apply the grip/group analysis from Natural Symbols. The essays have been important texts for preparing grid/group exercises ever since. She is still trying to improve the argument of Natural Symbols and is always hoping to find better applications to illustrate the power of the two dimensions used for accurate comparison.

As research in the geosciences and social sciences becomes increasingly dependent on computers, applications such as geographical information systems are becoming indispensable tools. But the digital representations of phenomena that these systems require are often of poor quality, leading to inaccurate results, uncertainty, error propagation, and potentially legal liability. Spatial data quality has become an essential research topic within geographical information science.
This book covers many of the cutting-edge research issues related to spatial data quality, including measurement in GIS and geostatistics, the modeling of spatial objects that have inherent uncertainty, spatial data quality control, quality management, communicating uncertainty and resolution, reasoning and decision-making, visualization of uncertainty and error metadata. It will be of interest to anyone undertaking research using GIS and related technologies.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203303245

Earth observation data policy has received little attention, even though the conditions of access to Earth observation data are fundamental to the exploitation of and the further growth of the Earth observation sector. This unique book addresses this limitation.

Globalisation has not led to the 'death of geography'. Intensified relations between communities in different parts of the world have only highlighted the need for understanding and managing phenomena on a variety of geographic scales. From global warming to credit crunch, and from epidemics to terrorism, causes and solutions are sought on local, regional, national as well as inter-continental levels. With the advent of Geospatial Technology, scholars, policymakers and entrepreneurs have valuable tools in hand to proceed.

This book offers the first systematic account of the science behind this mental and technological revolution. Tracing the adoption and dissemination of Geospatial Technology in a range of disciplines, it examines the impact this technology has had, and is likely to have, on the explanation of spatial behaviour, phenomena and processes. At the same time, stressing innovative usage, it explores scientific contributions to technology advancement.

This work reflects preoccupations with the threats posed to our environment due to climatic factors, major and natural hazards of all kinds and demographic influences. Topics covered include land surface processes, coastal zones and atmospheric risks.

Have you ever really considered how much effect information technology has on society throughout the world? Sadly, progress often places lower income and marginalised communities at a distinct disadvantage. This book however, offers a detailed look at numerous incidences around the world where communities have actually taken control of the technology and really used it to their advantage. This is presented in the form of case studies and models which reflect on public participation in GIS concepts, best practices, constraints and opportunities.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203469488

The shift towards digital modes of production has fundamentally changed both cartography and graphic design. The omni-present computer, the interactive possibilities of digital media and the direct exchange of visual information through networks have blurred the distinction between designers and users of visual information. Blind Maps and Blue Dots is the first work to explore the disappearing boundaries between producers and users of maps. Using three mapmaking practices as examples - the Blue Dot, the location function in Google Maps; the Strava Global Heatmap, a world map showing the activities of a fitness app; and the "Situation in Syria" maps, a regularly updated map of the Syrian conflict made by an Amsterdam teenager - renowned designer Joost Grootens shows the blurring of the binary distinction between producing and using, ultimately offering a whole new approach to graphic design.

The ideas and techniques of virtual reality are now being made available for the creation of artificial or virtual geographies (a virtual geography refers to the creation of artificial geographies for use in research and teaching, using ideas and techniques from the field of virtual reality (VR)).
Such virtual geographies are currently being constructed and used at a number of sites and include virtual cities, landscape visualisation, visualising past and future geographies, visualising abstract concepts and taking people on virtual field courses.
Virtual Reality in Geography covers 'through the window' VR systems, 'fully immersive' VR systems and hybrids of the two types. The authors examine the Virtual Reality Modelling Language approach, and explore its deficiencies when applied to real geographic environments. This book will be of great interest to geographers, computer scientists and all those interested in multimedia and computer graphics. There is an accompanying CD-ROM containing a rich selection of images and pieces of virtual reality software.
This is a totally unique book covering an area of geography that is rapidly becoming used in all aspects of the field. It covers all the major uses and methods of virtual reality used by geographers and the lack of anything else written about the subject to date should ensure a wide readership. The authors have produced a CDROM that comes with the book of virtual reality images that will be a fascinating companion to the text.

eBook available with sample pages: 020330585X

There is considerable current academic interest in the interface between geographical information systems (GIS) and the environment. This new monograph explores the process from start to finish. It begins with information acquisition in the environment and moves on to tool and techniques for manipulating the information, visualisation and navigation methods for exploring it, and computation and modelling techniques for its analysis. It then concludes with a survey of decision support, for its application.
Spatial Information and the Environment is the eighth book in the Innovations in GIS series initiated in 1994. The series is in essence derived from a selection of the presentations made at the annual GIS Research UK conference 2000 held in York, and has now changed its focus by concentrating on a single topic, making each text distinctive.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203302796

Contents:
1. Introduction by the Editors 2. Setting the Stage 3. Ontological Background 4. Databases for Temporal GIS: Applications 5. Definition of Socio-economic Units