Multidimensional Visualization and Processing of Big Open Urban Geospatial Data on the Web

Abstract

The focus of this research is addressing a subset of the geovisualization (i.e., geographic visualization) challenges identified in the literature, namely multidimensional vector and raster geospatial data visualization. Moreover, the work implements an approach for multidimensional raster geospatial data processing. The results of this research are provided through a geoportal comprised of multiple applications that are related to 3D visualization of cities, ground deformation, land use and land cover and mobility. In a subset of the applications, the datasets handled are considered to be large in volume. The geospatial data were visualized on dynamic and interactive virtual globes to enable visual exploration. The geoportal is available on the web to enable cross-platform access to it. Furthermore, the geoportal was developed employing open standards, free and open source software (FOSS) and open data, most importantly to ensure interoperability and reduce the barriers to access it. The geoportal brings together various datasets, different both in terms of context and format employing numerous technologies. As a result, the existing web technologies for geovisualization and geospatial data processing were examined and exemplary and innovative software was developed to extend the state of the art.