Geons – domain-specific regionalization of space

Abstract

The design of methods and tools to build adequate representations of complex geographical phenomena in a way that spatial patterns are emphasized is one of the core objectives of GIScience. In this paper, we build on the concept of geons as a strategy to represent and analyze latent spatial phenomena across different geographical scales (local, national, regional) incorporating domain-specific expert knowledge. Focusing on two types, we illustrate and exemplify how geons are generated and explored. So-called composite geons represent functional land-use classes, required for regional planning purposes. They are created via class modeling to translate interpretation schemes from mapping keys. Integrated geons, on the other hand, address abstract, yet policy-relevant phenomena such as societal vulnerability to hazards. They are delineated by regionalizing continuous geospatial data sets representing relevant indicators in a multidimensional variable space. Using the geon approach, we create spatially exhaustive sets of units, scalable to the level of policy intervention, homogenous in their domain-specific response, and independent from any predefined boundaries. From a GIScience perspective, we discuss either type of geons in a semantic hierarchy of geographic information constructs. Despite its validity for decision-making and its transferability across scales and application fields, the delineation of geons requires further methodological research to assess their statistical and conceptual robustness.

Urban green valuation integrating biophysical and qualitative aspects

“…The principal idea of regionalization is that existing boundaries, predominantly administrative ones on the community, provincial, or state level, would not reveal the true spatial character of the underlying phenomenon, but rather obscure and bias its actual distribution. Instead of further fuelling the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) (Openshaw, 1984), the geon concept was designed to overcome it, by representing the phenomenon’s actual spatial variation (Lang et al, 2014). In this study, SPAC was used as an analytical tool, not for delineation.…”

“…As outlined in the introduction, we define regions in a policy-relevant scale and scope as geons (Lang et al, 2014). The value of a geon can be an index (one-dimensional scalar) formed by combing multiple indicators (Kienberger et al, 2009), or, as in this case, EO data and non-EO data.…”

“…In this paper, the author further advances the representation of the telic dimension of urban green by deriving scale-adapted, policy-relevant units, also known as geons (Lang, Kienberger, Tiede, Hagenlocher, & Pernkopf, 2014). These units shall characterize areas of uniform green valuation under certain size and homogeneity constraints.…”

“…The geon approach (Lang et al, 2014) was developed to spatialize a multi-dimensional indicator set using scale-specific regionalization, in order to visualize (i.e. to map ) a latent phenomenon in space.…”

Are We in Boswash Yet? A Multi-Source Geodata Approach to Spatially Delimit Urban Corridors

“…Ref. [23] reiterate earlier findings that spatial contiguity usually only has a small effect on the loss of detail during aggregations. The geographic principle of spatial autocorrelation often serves as the mechanistic construct for this human-thinking centered view of fuzzy boundaries.…”