Conceptual frameworks for geographical knowledge

For the development of fully operational automated software for cartographic generalization, three complex problems must be solved: 1) a formal, comprehensive conceptual framework for digital generalization must be agreed upon; 2) the specific procedures of the process, or generalization operators, must be designed, coded, and tested; and 3) cartographic knowledge must be culled from expert sources (maps) and individuals and coded into "rules'. This chapter explores each research area and illustrates the relationship between the three. -from Author