Integrating knowledge representation and reasoning in Geographical Information Systems

Abstract

We propose a formalism and a programming environment in which sophisticated spatio-temporal reasoning can be performed, while keeping the capabilities of manipulating and presenting large amounts of geographical data, typical of commercial Geographical Information Systems (GISs). The spatio-temporal knowledge representation language, named MuTACLP+, is based on constraint logic programming and is integrated via a middleware of commands and translation features with a commercial GIS. The paper presents the language, the architecture of the environment, and a few examples of its use in the field of event planning.