Semantic Geographic Space: From Big Data to Ecosystems of Data

Enhancing the physical view of a geographic space through the integration of semantic models enables a novel extended logic context for geographic data infrastructures that are modelled as an ecosystem of data in which semantic properties and relations are defined with the concepts composing the model. The signigicant capabilities of current semantic technology allow the implementation of rich data models according to an ontological approach that assures competitive interoperable solutions in the context of environments for general purpose (e.g. the Semantic Web) as well as inside more specific systems (e.g. Geographic Information Systems). Extended capabilities in terms of expressivity have strong implications also for data/information processing, especially on a large scale (Big Data). Semantic spaces can play a critical role in those processes contrasting the mostly passive role of models simply reflecting a geographic perspective. This chapter proposes a short overview of a simple model for semantic geographic space and a number of its applications, mostly focusing on the added value provided by the use of semantic spaces in different use cases.