From phenomena to essence: envisioning the nature of digital map generalisation

This paper intends to discuss the nature or essence of digital map generalisation. Existing work is examined and new views are expressed. First of all, the motivation of generalisation is discussed. It is then grouped into two types, i.e. direct and indirect motivation and it is argued that scale is the only element in direct motivation. Based on this argument, two fundamental processes in digital map generalisation are distinguished, i.e. transformation of reality in scale dimension (digital data generalisation) and digital-to-graphic transformation (graphic presentation). Finally, a framework is devised for both of these two processes.