Abstract
(Englisch)
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One way of understanding our neighbours better, is to compare them with us. That is what the international statistics are all about. They are an important, objective and down-to-the-earth way of measuring how we all live and for making those vital comparisons.
The tool which can be utilized towards the understanding of all those entities which interact day by day and result in what we perceive as a 'fact' is a Statistical Atlas for the area we live: Europe. The Statistical Atlas of the European Union (STATLAS) is a multimedia approach to the development of electronic atlases with a state of the art design and functionality, enabling the user to study the wealth of statistical information, to carry out comparative studies and to document proposals and solutions on the basis of an objective and up-to-date source of information.
Objectives:
STATLAS will be a synthesis of the domains of Cartography, Geographic Information Systems - GIS, Multimedia and Statistical Analysis. The Integration of those domains will take place in an environment where interface design, map design and multimedia programming, will work independently and coherently.
The strong point of the multimedia Statistical Atlas of the European Union -on CD/DVD combined with Internet functionality- will be the explorative and interactive handling of the presented themes.
The target group encompasses both the laymen with high school education and theme specific experts. The themes to be presented will be interesting for all age categories. The multimedia atlas be
Work description:
STATLAS will cover a considerable number of topics dealing with European Union and its regions in multimedia map form. It will provide insight into European union's social and economic structures. This requires a comprehensive database, a cohesive processing methodology, a flexible display environment and a number of tools for the manipulation of statistical data utilising a user-friendly interface. Speed, visualization functions, thematic navigation and GIS functionality will be the main characteristics of STATLAS. These can only be implemented through an innovative modular system design, utilising state-of-the-art technologies. Innovative concepts like the 'intelligent map concept' will enable versatile mapping and visualisation and easy and efficient interaction of the user with the system. Visualisation is a critical factor of the system due to the high degree of interactivity required and the quality aspects of cartographic design. 2D visualisation refers to topographic and thematic map design and the portrayal of the map elements in different contexts under dynamic conditions. 3D visualisation refers to the display of the digital terrain model of Europe with additional topographic and/or thematic elements. Due to the great importance of GIS functionality for atlases, STATLAS will combine GIS techniques and multimedia, by integrating geo-referenced data and spatial analysis functions within a multimedia-authoring tool. STATLAS will also support data analyses [queries, spatial analysis, and statistical analysis]. Internet functionality will be an inherent feature of the system.
Milestones:
1. Collection, Evaluation, Organisation of data into the Geographical - and Statistical database;
2. Analysis and development of functional modules implementing basic/discrete system functions:
General functions,
Thematic navigation,
Spatial navigation,
Visualisation functions,
GIS functions;
3. Development of Graphic User Interface;
4. Development of Expert tools and Software modules;
5. Digital Terrain Model;
6. Visualisation tools;
7. STATLAS Beta version;
8. STATLAS final version.
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