ABSTRACT
In GIS, the term spatial data model refers to the representation and organization of spatial data. Such a model should be able to represent various kinds of spatial objects in the real world, and to be used to answer various kinds of questions related to the objects. Topological relationships are defined as invariant under geometric distortion, and form a subset of spatial relationships. The representation of topological relationships between certain or uncertain spatial objects is one of the major issues in spatial data modelling for GIS. By applying topological relationships, it is potentially possible to speed up spatial access and to design consistency-checking tools. As a result, spatial analysis and spatial reasoning can be more efficient.
