A Framework For Temporal Geographic Information

Abstract

This paper defines the critical components of cartographic time and compares temporal and spatial topologies. Because time is topologically similar to space, spatial data structuring principles can be adapted to temporal data. We present three conceptualizations of temporal geographic information and select one as the most promising basis for a temporal geographic information system. This conceptualization creates a spatial composite of all geometric information (at all times), where each object has an attribute history distinct from that of its neighbors.