Interactive maps for exploring spatial data (original) (raw)

A hallmark of modern geographic information system (GIS) software is its capability for user interaction. Interactivity-referring here to the myriad ways that a system, or data represented in a system, can change according to user input-is now ubiquitous enough in computerized information systems that it is often taken for granted. However, interactivity should be examined critically in the context of maps and geographic representations in order to understand how far GIS has come in facilitating data analysis, and what might still be developed in order to examine data sets that are presently difficult to examine given the stateof-the-art of GIS. This chapter explores the design and use of interactive maps for spatial data exploration and analysis, paying particular attention to applications incorporating approaches from cartography, statistics and computer science. We also consider the role of the interactive capabilities and potential of GIS for the burgeoning field of visual analytics, and look ahead to the possibilities of incorporating interaction into future designs of GIS, in particular those that can handle spatiotemporal data. Present GISs, with their unique and highly interactive interfaces, are well-designed for many spatial data exploration tasks. However, developers and users should consider implementing modes of interaction not presently enabled in GIS that would facilitate a wider range of geographic visualization and analysis. We thus advocate the increase of interactive capabilities for map products created in a GIS environment based on the improvements for data exploration that could be gained.