Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
19
GeoComputation in 2061
Keith C. Clarke
CONTENTS
Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... 429
19.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 429
19.2 SAGE .................................................................................................................................... 431
19.3 CORONA .............................................................................................................................. 433
19.4 Evolution of Computer Cartography ..................................................................................... 434
19.5 Future of GeoComputation ................................................................................................... 436
19.5.1 Future Fusion ............................................................................................................ 436
19.5.2 Future Mobility ......................................................................................................... 439
19.5.3 Ubiquitous Computing Future ..................................................................................440
19.5.4 Future GeoWeb ......................................................................................................... 442
19.5.5 Interactive Multimedia in 2061 ................................................................................ 442
19.5.6 Biocomputational Future .......................................................................................... 443
19.6 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................444
References ...................................................................................................................................... 445
ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the status of GeoComputation (GC) in the year 2061, 50 years into the
future. It begins by using two case studies - the SAGE and CORONA systems - to show that the
fields behind GC, namely, geographic information science and computer science, share a common
twentieth-century heritage. Six themes are then chosen: fusion, mobility, ubiquity, the GeoWeb,
interactive multimedia and biocomputation. Each of these is explored with respect to today's trends
and then in terms of what these areas could look like in 2061. Some extraordinary new develop-
ments are anticipated, including bionic computing, quantum computers and an artificial reality
inseparable from the actual. The chapter concludes by raising issues of preparation, posing ques-
tions about what training and skills can prepare GC for its not-too-distant future.
19.1 INTRODUCTION
GeoComputation (GC) has been defined as the 'art and science of solving complex spatial problems
with computers' (Openshaw and Abrahart, 2000). Taken narrowly, GC is the intersection in the
Venn diagram that is geographic information science (GISci) on the one hand (Goodchild, 1992)
and computer science on the other. Yet both fields have moved on significantly since the first exami-
nations of the overlap, and any examination must now also include grid computing, simulation and
modelling, spatial analysis, cartographic visualisation and visual analytics in addition to issues of
high-performance computing (Clarke, 2003). Ubiquitous and mobile computing, in which comput-
ers have morphed from desktop computing machines into components of almost every appliance
and device associated with everyday life, were distant visions when GC was in its formative stage.
Nevertheless, they were firmly on the futurist radar scope more than a decade ago (Clarke, 1999)
and advances have since been made (Sui, 2014).
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