The Dimensional Model: A Framework to Distinguish Spatial Relationships

Abstract

A unique characteristic of GIS as compared to other information systems, is their capacity to manage spatial relationships, such as connections or interrelations among objects in the geometric domain. A number of frameworks use topology as a basic mechanism to define spatial relationships. The OpenGIS consortium has adopted one of them, i.e. the 9-intersection model. In this paper, a new framework for representing spatial relationships — the Dimensional model — is introduced. The model was first developed for convex spatial objects and is now extended to topological n-manifolds. It is based on two major concepts, i.e. the dimensional elements of spatial objects and the dimensional relationships, i.e. the relationships existing between dimensional elements. The model addresses a substantial group of spatial relationships and provides a flexible framework to consider either generalised or specialised types of associations.