A Framework Design for Collaborative GIS Applications: Based on Hybrid Architecture

Geographical information systems (GIS) software tools that support synchronous collaboration efforts among distributed decision-making participants can be very useful in many application areas, such as urban planning, engineering design, disaster and emergency response, and distant learning. However, most existing GIS tools do not provide adequate support for group interaction on decision-making and design scenarios. Early efforts on developing collaborative GIS tools have focused on collaborative geospatial information sharing and presentation in a group environment, mostly adapted to centralized client-server architecture for specific applications. This thesis presents the results of a research project, aiming at providing such GIS software tools over the Internet. Based on the analysis of two mainstream architectures used in collaborative applications: centralized architecture and replicated architecture, a hybrid architecture is selected to develop a collaborative GIS framework as the platform for prototyping the aforementioned GIS tools. The discussion focuses on synchronous collaboration where people interact with each other using the system at the same time from different places. The prototype system, called GeoLink, addresses some important design and development issues such as session management and floor control through a message sending approach.

A Framework Design for Collaborative GIS Applications: Based on Hybrid Architecture

Geographical information systems (GIS) software tools that support synchronous collaboration efforts among distributed decision-making participants can be very useful in many application areas, such as urban planning, engineering design, disaster and emergency response, and distant learning. However, most existing GIS tools do not provide adequate support for group interaction on decision-making and design scenarios. Early efforts on developing collaborative GIS tools have focused on collaborative geospatial information sharing and presentation in a group environment, mostly adapted to centralized client-server architecture for specific applications. This thesis presents the results of a research project, aiming at providing such GIS software tools over the Internet. Based on the analysis of two mainstream architectures used in collaborative applications: centralized architecture and replicated architecture, a hybrid architecture is selected to develop a collaborative GIS framework as the platform for prototyping the aforementioned GIS tools. The discussion focuses on synchronous collaboration where people interact with each other using the system at the same time from different places. The prototype system, called GeoLink, addresses some important design and development issues such as session management and floor control through a message sending approach.

Argumentation Mapping in Collaborative Spatial Decision Making

Collaboration and decision-making of humans usually entails logical reasoning that is expressed through discussions and individual arguments. Where collaborative work uses geo-spatial information and where decision-making has a spatial connotation, argumentation will include geographical references. Argumentation maps have been developed to support geographically referenced discussions and provide a visual access to debates in domains such as urban planning. The concept of argumentation maps provides for explicit links between arguments and the geographic objects they refer to. These geo-argumentative relations do not only allow for cartographic representation of arguments, but also support the querying of both, space and discussion. Combinations of spatial queries and retrieval of linked arguments provide a powerful way of analyzing and summarizing the current state of a debate. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the original argumentation model and we discuss related research and application development. We also link argumentation mapping to related concepts in geographic visualization, spatial decision support systems, and public participation GIS under the umbrella of collaborative GIS.

Enhancing interaction in maritime spatial planning workshops through collaborative GIS

We have created a cross-platform web-map CGIS for collaborative Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) workshops, called Baltic Explorer [1]. MSP requires simple and easy to use tools for facilitating discussion and managing spatial data in collaborative workshops (Pınarbaşı et al. 2017). Yet, according to reports from real-world MSP workshops, digital spatial tools are used scarcely, with planners preferring paper maps and pens to handle the geospatial interaction. Collaborative GIS (CGIS) offers tools for structuring participation in group spatial decision processes (Balram & Dragicevic 2006). Therefore, CGIS can have potential to improve many aspects of MSP workshops.Baltic Explorer offers multi-user map workspaces for collaborative geospatial data exploration, spatial analysis and collaborative map drawing, Figure 1. In MSP workshops the workflow with Baltic Explorer starts with organisers creating workspaces for the participants. During the workshop participants can explore the large amount of MSP related geospatial data overlays provided by multiple SDIs. This offers overall and detailed insight for the workshop task. Participants can contribute by sharing features they have drawn on the workspace map. These features can be viewed and edited by other participants to allow for a more interactive way of collaborating.Baltic Explorer was demonstrated and evaluated in two real-word MSP workshops as well as in a gamified user test. The first workshop was a cross-border meeting where various stakeholders discussed planning objectives and available data. The evaluation focused on exploration of geospatial data and collaborative map drawing tools. The second workshop was a cross-sector event where participants were tasked to identify a new suitable wind park site using the on-the-fly spatial analysis tool which was also the focus of the evaluation. In the gamified user test participants were tasked to play a game that simulated common MSP workshop tasks using Baltic Explorer with personal and shared device setups. The evaluation focused on the device setup to be used with CGIS tools in MSP. In all three demonstrations evaluation was carried out via naturalistic observation and questionnaires.The new way of working with spatial data in MSP workshops was well received by participants. According to the questionnaire and observations in the first workshop, participants found the geospatial data exploration and collaborative map drawing tools helpful for various tasks. The same applied in the second evaluation while also the analysis tool was considered useful. The gamified user test revealed that multiple device types, such as laptops and large screens, are recommended for MSP workshops. Access to geospatial data was considered important in all the workshops. The observation, feedback, results from questionnaires and requirements from literature were used to refine the concept of Baltic Explorer, as well as to design, enhance and add utility to the system (e.g. spatial analysis). The conducted research adds to the knowledge about interaction with spatial data in collaborative workshops, which can enhance future CGIS.

A Lightweight Collaborative GIS Data Editing Approach to Support Urban Planning

Collaborative geospatial data editing is different from other collaborative editing systems, such as textual editing, owing to its geospatial nature. This paper presents a version-based lightweight collaborative geospatial editing method for urban planning. This method extracts editing data and generates a version for collaborative editing, which reduces the data size and thus allows for a high feedback speed. A replication mechanism is engaged to replicate a version for the client to freely edit, which ensures constraint-free editing in collaboration. Based on this method, realizing the fact that heterogeneous geospatial data and non-professional users are involved, a lightweight architecture, integrating web services, and component technologies, was proposed. This architecture provides a unified data access interface and powerful editing ability and ensures a high feedback speed and constraint-free editing. The result of the application of the proposed approach in a practical project demonstrates the usability of collaborative geospatial editing in urban planning. While this approach has been designed for urban planning, it can be modified for use in other domains.