Automatic Processes in Database Building and Subsequent Automatic Abstractions

One of the difficulties in building an effective system for spatial and attribute generalization is the predominance of the conventionally based generalization paradigm. This is exemplified by numerous attempts at reproducing rules derived from manual environments and re-building them in a GIS or CIS. What is often lacking is an understanding of what generalization achieves in its various forms. There is no doubt that the representation issue in generalization is of critical importance, since it is through the representation that we communicate visually. However, with access to databases and high-level programming tools, the quality, consistency, and reliability of the information warrants far greater emphasis than has been given in the past. Re-addressing generalization from a database perspective shifts the focus in model development from cartographic representation issues to geographic information. However, doing so places demands on operational mapping organizations for database building, data classif...