1.02.1 Spatial Data Modelling - Topology and Time

This leraning path will focus on two, perhaps unrelated topics:

- Topology and spatial relationships

- The temporal dimension

 

Question

How can topology and Time be integrated in a spatial data model?

Path

1. Topology

You learned that topology deals with spatial properties that do not change under specific transformations. The next topic deals with topology of two dimensions. It shows how topological properties of interiors and boundaries can be used to define relationships between spatial features.

2. Topological relationship

Topology can be used to ensure the consistency of spatial data. In the next topic you will learn more about this.

3. Topological Consistency

Now that we know what topology is, we can go back to the vector data model and have a close look at the use of topology in the vector area computer representation.

4. Topological data model

Besides having geometric, thematic and topological properties, geographic phenomena also change over time and are thus dynamic. Spatio-temporal data models are ways of organizing representations of space and time in a GIS. You will learn more about this in the next two concepts.