Research Challenges in Geovisualization

1Alan M. MacEachren is Professor and Director of the GeoVISTA Center, Department of Geography, 302 Walker, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA; e-mail: [email protected] and Menno-Jan Kraak is Professor and Head of Division of Geoinformatics, Cartography and Visualization, ITC, PO Box 6, 7500 AA Enschede; e-mail: [email protected] This special issue of Cartography and Geographic Information Science presents the results of an international collaboration to delineate a four-part research agenda for geovisualization. Geovisualization integrates approaches from visualization in scientific computing (ViSC), cartography, image analysis, information visualization, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and geographic information systems (GISystems) to provide theory, methods, and tools for visual exploration, analysis, synthesis, and presentation of geospatial data (any data having geospatial referencing). Primary themes addressed here are representation of geospatial information, integration of visual with computational methods of knowledge construction, interface design for geovisualization environments, and cognitive/usability aspects of geovisualization. The International Cartographic Association (ICA) Commission on Visualization and Virtual Environments took the lead in developing this comprehensive research agenda by organizing an international team to address each theme. The teams included both Commission members and others active in geovisualization and related areas. Participants represent a range of disciplines and include representatives from government and the private sector as well as academic researchers. Each team was assisted by an expert from outside geographic information science who provided critical review of white papers prior to completion of final manuscripts. The full set of manuscripts was then submitted to formal peer review. The research agenda development process is detailed in the appendix. In this essay, we provide an overview of the organizational, technological, and scientific context for this research agenda setting effort, emphasizing changes in each that prompted the project at this time. Next, we outline the core issues identified within each of the four agenda themes and summarize challenges identified. Then, challenges that cut across the four themes are delineated. We conclude with recommendations for action.