Model-driven Content Management for Web-based 3d Geoinformation Services

Today we are witnessing an increasing number of interactive 3d maps and of web-based 3d geoinformation and entertainment services covering entire regions or countries. One of the major challenges in making such interactive 3d services a lasting success is the cartographic content. In the future this content needs to be up-to-date, relevant and increasingly personalised. There is also a trend towards the integration of user's content (e.g. own hiking trails, holiday locations) within such interactive services. This paper presents concepts and mechanisms for the model-driven capturing, editing, updating and management of domain-specific 3d cartographic content in a distributed environment. One of the key elements presented is the proposed Geo eXchange Language (GXL) which enables the modelling and exchange of domain-specific cartographic content. The paper also introduces a model-driven software framework for the management of 3d cartographic content and illustrates the benefits of such a solution.