Proceedings of the 1st ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Spatial Semantics and Ontologies

Abstract

We are pleased to organize the 1st Spatial Semantics and Ontologies (SSO) international workshop as part of the 19th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (ACM SIGSPATIAL GIS 2011). Semantic technologies are an emerging topic that includes pure research as well as applications. This workshop was motivated by the need for semantics-related research for geospatial data and to provide a place for discussion and distribution of the work in this area. ACM SIGSPATIAL GIS 2011 offers a perfect venue to bring together computer scientists with spatial/geospatial domain experts. This workshop is designed to help engage and create a synergy with computer and spatial scientists interested in the semantic area. We anticipate that technical advancements will be made by computer specialists focusing on the spatial area in collaboration with domain specialists who know the semantic problems they face. Having this workshop at ACM GIS opens the research to include wide areas of computer science. Semantic technologies, including ontologies and the Semantic Web, form a new and emerging area that is just starting to be practiced by the spatial and the computer science communities. Their experiences are valuable to discuss and share. Geospatial applications needing semantics are still being identified for problems such as references to location, geographic scale, locational analysis, spatial data user interfaces, and others. The design and development of tools to meet application needs are active and challenging research areas. Although the medical and life sciences formed the early domains to promote and use semantic technologies, there is now strong interest in researching what is needed in the spatial and geospatial domains. The purpose of this workshop is to promote research regarding semantics as it pertains to the spatial domain. Areas of interest regarding spatial semantics and ontologies are broad. They include research regarding semantics and geospatial data, systems using semantic technology in the geospatial domain, research in computer architectures that incorporate semantic components, technology to create and integrate geospatial ontologies, handling spatial data within semantic languages and, conversely, semantics within spatial languages, application in cyberinfrastructure and distributed systems, and more. Also applicable are surveys specifying the value-added use of geospatial ontologies and specification of one or more use cases delineating semantic needs for geospatial data.