Development of a process-based model for dynamic interaction in spatio-temporal GIS

Spatial processes and their interactions are fundamental in explaining the complex behavior of real world systems. Current GIS describes space based on map layers and by means of either the vector or raster model. However, current vector and raster models cannot dynamically maintain topological relationships between spatial entities while these are changing rapidly in the real world. This makes current GIS incapable of modeling dynamic spatial processes. In this paper, the development of a process-based model is described. The model is developed based on spatial system theory and the Voronoi spatial model. First, the paper discusses spatial system theory, which forms the theoretical background for the model. Second, the Voronoi spatial model is adopted to describe spatial processes: it is more efficient than conventional vector and raster models. Third, the paper presents the capabilities of the model in one application.