Modelling geographic data with multiple representations

The impact of resolution has been widely studied on raster data, exploring new ways to store and use raster data at different resolution levels. A similar amount of work has not yet been achieved for vector data. The aim of this paper is to propose a framework suitable for vector data for use at different resolution levels. The framework has in fact a wider scope as it has been designed for the general problem of using multiple representations of geographical and thematic data. This problem can be divided into three main issues: data modelling, data matching from different data sets, and data utilization. How can geographical phenomena with several representations be modelled in vector geographic information systems (GIS)? How should different representations be matched to make the data-management systems aware that they all represent the same geographical phenomenon? How can systems supporting multiple representations be used? Answers to these questions have been elaborated as part of the European MurMur project. They are presented here and illustrated using current applications from the French national mapping agency (IGN).