Understanding relevance in maps through the use of knowledge graphs

Abstract

The relation between the ontological and spatial dimensions is not always evident. A tool called SeMaptics that connects the two domains has been developed to better understand this relation. Ontological mapping allows for discrete ontologies to be projected into the spatial field. Such ontologies are regularly seen in a continuous or overlapping layered format in the spatial dimension. However, integrating both spaces results in a novel method, which could add additional perspectives to the map-making process. The objective is to link and map both dimensions enabling user interactions and enhancing semantic probing. This exploration contains some criteria of geographical relevance. These criteria allow for better identification of high-interest areas within any given dataset. SeMaptics implements a graph structure to accommodate graph visualisations using D3js. In this work data from an isolated administrative unit in Austria is presented under both the ontological and spatial dimensions. In order to identify the criteria elements that comprise geographical relevance. Such criteria points are over-viewed in this style of mapping to better understand relevance when exploring spatial data from a semantic viewpoint.