Map generalization plays an important role in map-making process. Map generalization depends on many factors such as purpose, geographic scope, thematic, map scale… and therefore it remains one of the challenging issues in Cartography. This paper discusses the constraint parameters and process of cartographic generalization from map data at 1:2000 to map data at smaller scale such as 1:5.000, 1:10.000, 1:25.000, 1:50.000 and 1:100.000. These constraint parameters are indentified by applying cartographic principles and using experimental procedures with generalization toolset in ArcGIS 10. Defined constraint parameters are then put in cartographic generalization for base maps of Ho Chi Minh City in order to verify their rationalities.Research result shows that, using right parameters and GIS cartographic generalization tools could provide good way to generalize and create base map products fast, efficient and reasonable. It also provides useful information for further research in automated map generalization and in creating multi-scale, multi-purpose map database.
Methodology for evaluating automated map generalization in commercial software
