Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
the choice of certain technologies. As software engineers, they develop tools and
interfaces that guarantee the functioning of automated mapping processes and
constant quality assessment measurements implied.
Cartography itself can not—nor must it—stop these developments. It is her
professional obligation to get engaged in the design of these new technologies
and algorithms that support high quality map output from systems used by NSIs.
Statisticians and the statistical administration will not wait for cartography. They
can putatively live without the latter, as they have done for decades before. Yet—
and this is where cartography has the whip hand—their customers can not live
without good maps and will continue to demand for more visual statistical output.
Currently, professional cartography in many NSIs is at the crossroads. It can
either take the lead and step forward with all knowledge when new systems are to
be developed and new contents are to be mapped. Or it can stand aside and let others
do the developments and products—and finally its job. A good example for this
mixed situation is Eurostat. In 2012, the European Statistical Office launched two
cartographic products at the same time: (1) a high-quality
Statistical Atlas
that has
been produced by editors who selected indicators through a didactic approach and
chose relevant map parameters for each representation. (2) A statistical dashboard,
Regional Statistics Illustrated
, has been set-up on the same site. This application
also shows maps—at random parameters—for more or less the same data—with the
difference that these have been produced automatically by a statistical software
package and data base that come together with tables and charts as well. Without
any doubt, these two systems (or approaches), paid for twice by the tax payer, will
not co-exist forever. So, one can only call upon cartographers who have access to
statistics: get involved in these decision making processes, show what professional
cartography can offer in the statistical dissemination process. But get involved
now
,
before others will take these decisions!
Current Technological Trends and Developments
The use of Atlas Content Management Systems and platforms has well paid off for
institutions and customers alike, where they are used. They enabled the offices to
produce maps and atlases in large numbers and various output formats while
equally guaranteeing the quality of all process steps. Nevertheless, the world
doesn
t stand still. These platforms will continue to exist for another 5 or
10 years, and many offices will yet commence boarding this comfortable train
and begin with data-driven productions of their map output. But in an extremely
dynamic environment, characterised by Web 2.0, Web 3.0, fast changing formats
and ever faster changing customer interests, any serious prognosis who would
attempt to predict the state of statistical mapping in 10 years from now on will
fail. As in the general dissemination policies of NSIs, future requirements for
mapping products and technologies can only be described with all the uncertainties
of forecasts one has to accept. Yet, seven to eight trends emerge at the horizon:
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