35207 - Thematic and Automatic Cartography

Learning outcomes

Aim of the course is to provide a basic knowledge about the realization and the use of numeircal and tematic cartography and other georeferenced databases inside Geographical Information Systems, with particular emphasis toward the characteristics and the quality of the data of different origin. Specific interest is toward applications for management of the territory, also for risks related to natural and anthropogenic phenomena (erosion, subsidence, coastal change, ...).

Course contents

From the historical cartography to the modern numerical products for territory management and planning.

Spatially referenced data: the role and importance of coordinate systems and geodetic reference frames.

Cartographic production of the Italian Military Geographic Institute, regional technical cartography  (1:10000, 1:5000 scale), tematic maps.

The basic map types: analog/paper, raster, vectorial; georeferencing procededure of raster images. Manual and user assisted procedures for vectorization of raster images.

Introduction to the numerical cartography, data structures and topology, definition of geometric-semantic congruence and introduction to map generalizations techniques.

Analysis of the main surveying methods for surveying in relation to the development and maintainance of Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Algorithms and techniques for data manipulation in a GIS; procedures for spatial analysis in raster and vector environments for different kinds of applications: resource allocation, management of networks, natural or anthropogenic risk phenomena, etc.). Standardization and data exchanging in the professional context.

Review of commercial and scientific GIS products, main functionalities and operations.

Readings/Bibliography

Federica Migliaccio:Cartografia Tematica e Automatica, Libreria Clup, Milano, 2001.

Selvini A., Guzzetti F.: Cartografia generale, tematica e numerica, UTET, Milano, 1999.

Burrough P.A. & McDonnell R.A.: Principles of Geographical Information Systems, Oxford University Press, 1998. 

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercises are placed side by side, in particular practical exercises for the use of traditional cartography, production of digital and numerical cartography, exercises by GIS software.

Assessment methods

Oral examination at the end of the course.

Teaching tools

Documents provided by the teacher, publications and digital data, software, Web researchs.

Office hours

See the website of Gabriele Bitelli