Human-Computer Interaction in Geovisualization

Geovisualization and cartography are in a defining moment, as the technological and social change now makes maps and geospatial data visible – progressively costless – and useful for the most wicked problems as well as the most everyday human routines [1]. For many phenomena and problem contexts, it is nowadays possible to create maps that are updated in real-time. Volunteered geographic data compliment the supply of official geospatial data (e.g. OpenStreetMap). At the same time the border between map users and map markers is disappearing. More maps are made by people without any cartographic training than by trained cartographers. Additionally, the dynamism in the development of novel devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, and wearables, multi-touch tabletops, VR-/AR glasses) and corresponding interaction technologies requires a deepened engagement with HCI issues in the context of geographical applications. The provision of appropriate user interfaces for casual usage scenarios as well professional visual analytics tools for exploiting the potential of contemporary geospatial (big) data sets is essential if they are to be used efficiently and effectively. In order to reach the overall goal of usable and pleasant maps and geovisualizations, it is necessary to foster exchange and collaboration between the disciplines in both geosciences and computer sciences as well as design and related humanities. The four articles we present in this special issue provide a paradigmatic view for future research at the intersection of geovisualization and humancomputer interaction in light of crosscutting themeswedescribe above. This issue begins with Tutzauer et al. addressing virtual 3D cities as important tools for the visual communication of diverse urban-related information. The article Perceptual rules for building enhancements in 3D virtual worlds presents an approach to adapt 3D building models in a way, that they become visually more comprehensible for humans. Tutzauer et al. develop a virtual reality framework that allows users to switch between different build-