Open Access to Historical Information for Landscape Analysis in an SDI Framework

The paper illustrates the potentials of geospatial data to access a historical digital atlas for landscape analysis and territorial government. The experience of a historical geo-portal, the “Atl@nte dei Catasti Storici,” in the management of geo-referenced and non-geo-referenced maps—ancient cadastral and topographic maps of the Lombardy Region—can be considered a case study with common aspects to many European regions with an extensive cartographic heritage. The development of downstream Web-based services enables integration with other data sources (current maps, satellite and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle [UAV] airborne photogrammetry, and multi-spectral images and derived products). This provides new scenarios for retrieving geospatial knowledge in support of more sustainable management and governance of the territory. Open Access to Historical Information for Landscape Analysis in an SDI Framework