Cell-based Model For GIS Generalization

Generalization is perhaps the most intellectually challenging task for cartographers. It has proved to be very difficult to automate. In this paper, a cell-based model is applied to GIS generalization, which represents a new methodology within the GIS context. Cellular Automata (CA) has found a place in many interesting real world applications, including the modeling and simulation of numerous systems, across many disciplines. CA has a number of unique advantages in geographical and environmental modeling. Thus, it has attracted growing attention in urban simulation because of its potential in spatial modeling. Geographical phenomena have extremely complex characteristics as a result of interactions among different components in a study area. CA provides a promising new approach to simulate and understand spatial phenomena. In this study, which is based on CA techniques, an extended neighborhood algorithm is used in the cell-based model to automatically generalize raster thematic maps derived from classified satellite images. An example of generalizing a land use map of Lisbon Bay in Portugal is given, which gives satisfactory results.