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.****