Towards dynamic platial information systems: Representing geographic and social dynamics using geosensor observations

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The aim of this program is to contribute to the development of new generation of platial information theories, tools and systems for more realistic modelling, representation, visualisation and analysis of complex geographic and social dynamics. The targeted dynamics may include a wide spectrum of spatiotemporal themes ranging from individual movement in a shopping center to more complex urban dynamics. Recent focus on the concept of place as the space of action of human requires not only the observation, representation and analysis of dynamics of physical environments but also it requires social and human behavioural dynamics and interactions at different miro, meso and macro scales. Understanding of the complex geographic and social dynamics has significantly evolved during recent years thanks to advances in geospatial and communication technologies, wireless sensor networks, internet of things (IoT), etc. This has significantly contributed to advance in design and development of «smart environments» highlighting the importance of the concept of “place” in such environments. This paradigm shift from passive towards smart and ambient places requires re-examination of the novel affordances of Smart Environments. Places are vague and informal and their dynamics are difficult to measure and represent with conventional geographic information methods and technologies. People do not think of places in terms of latitude, longitude, polygons, precise distances and directions but they think of places by names, often vaguely defined, without precise boundaries, and often context-dependent. Formalising societal, community and personal places is a very challenging issue. The overall objective of this research program is to contribute to the development of theories, methods and tools for new generation of technologies called «platial information systems» for representation and analysis of complex geographic and social dynamics. Formalisation of platial concepts, definition and identification of human-environment interactions and observation and monitoring platial dynamics with geosensor network are among important short term objectives of this program.  In order to achieve these objectives, the overall methodology will be based on fundamental steps of system development relying on very innovative and integrated Cognitive Design with AGILE methods. Here we will develop and use innovative geosemantic and fuzzy based methods to address the formalisation and analysis of platial information issues. In addition innovative methods for deployment of sensor networks for tracking and observing dynamics of places will be developed and tested. The proposed research program is anticipated to significantly contribute to the advance of knowledge in the field by development of new generation of platial information methods and tool for the understanding of the richness of our places.