Overview
ISO 19107:2019 - Geographic information - Spatial schema defines conceptual schemas and a standard set of spatial operations for describing the spatial characteristics of geographic entities. Focused on vector geometry and topology, the standard supports geometric and topological modelling for up to three spatial dimensions, one temporal dimension and additional spatially dependent parameters as required by applications. ISO 19107 is intended for use in access, query, management, processing and data exchange of geographic information.
Key topics and requirements
- Conceptual spatial schema: formal patterns and UML-based constructs for representing geometric primitives (Point, Curve, Surface, Solid), Collections, Complexes and their relationships.
- Coordinate and core geometry: definitions for coordinate systems, DirectPosition datatypes, envelopes and reference systems to ensure consistent positional semantics.
- Topology and dimensionality rules: constraints on topological dimension (typically ≤ 3) and rules for geometry validity and boundaries.
- Interpolation schemes: supported curve and surface interpolation types (e.g., polynomial, geodesic, rhumb) and associated requirements classes.
- Spatial operations: standard operations used in querying, access and processing of spatial objects (intersection, containment, distance-related operations, etc.).
- Conformance framework: conformance classes, requirements classes and capability code lists to define implementation compliance and interoperability.
- UML presentation and metadata: notation, naming conventions and role metadata that support implementable models and documentation.
Practical applications
ISO 19107 provides the spatial modelling backbone for many geospatial systems and workflows:
- Building interoperable GIS software, spatial databases and APIs that need a common geometry/topology model.
- Defining data exchange formats (e.g., GML or other encodings) where consistent geometry semantics are required.
- Implementing 3D city models, cadastral systems, transportation networks and navigation systems where multi-dimensional geometry and topology matter.
- Supporting spatial queries, analysis and processing in spatial data infrastructures (SDI) and enterprise mapping solutions.
- Ensuring consistent spatial semantics for sensor data, temporal-spatial datasets and parametric models.
- GIS developers and software vendors creating geometry engines or spatial services
- Data architects and system integrators defining spatial data models and exchange formats
- Spatial database vendors and implementers of spatial query standards
- National mapping agencies, surveying agencies and SDI coordinators
- Standards committees and technical architects working on geospatial interoperability
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 19107, spatial schema, vector geometry, topology, geodesy, spatial operations, coordinate systems, GIS interoperability, spatial data exchange.
