73191 - Digital Mapping and GIS

Learning outcomes

The course aims to examine in depth the aspects of classical and digital cartography and provides elements related to the modern geomatic techniques for the monitoring, representation and analysis of the territory. The Geographic Information Systems are introduced and the current techniques for surveying and processing data for cadastral purposes are described.

Course contents

Cartography

Cartographic Mapping. Generality on the problem of representation. Deformation of a map. Sustainable deformations for a map at scale 1:n. Analytical approach to cartographic mapping.

The italian cartography. Regional technical and big scale cartography. Regional topographic database.

Digital data representation: raster and vector form and some exchange standard format.

Digitalization and scanning of existing cartography.

Georeferencing process. Principal transformation models useful to georeferencing and parameters estimate method.

Photogrammetry for the production of digital cartography.

Elements of photogrammetry and laser scanning. Coordinate systems in photogrammetry. The central projection and projective transformation. The "normal case" in stereopair processing; evaluations of errors.

Photographic equipment and techniques (analogic and digital systems), color theory. Geometrical and radiometrical characteristics for digital acquisition, digital images, image processing and analysis. Metric and semi-metric film-based cameras.

Interior orientation. The calibration of non metric digital cameras.

Exterior orientation: of a single image, of a stereopair in two stages, of a stereopair in a single stage. The survey of the Ground Control Points. The Photogrammetric Triangulation by independent models and by bundle block adjustment.

The photogrammetric restitution by means of stereoscopic and monoscopic digital photogrammetric workstations; rectification of digital images.

The digital images and the image matching procedures.

Numerical cartography

General characteristics of numerical cartography.

Nominal scale concept. Metrical contents. Informative contents. Inventory of conventional signs.

Phases of digital map production

Codification, production, maintenance and updating of numerical technical cartography.

Geographic Information Systems

GIS Introduction and general information. Models. Functionalities. Geometrical component and alphanumeric data.

Geographical data management through a GIS system.

QGIS software presentation and practice.

Practice lessons

Interpretation of coordinates on cartography maps on different scale.

Computer practices: production of digital cartography using semiautomatic and automatic digital photogrammetry.

Computer practices: usage of a largely used free and open source GIS software (QGIS).

Readings/Bibliography

Scientific publications, lectures notes and slides in digital form.

Bibliographic references for home study and further reading materials:

Kraus, K., 1998. Fotogrammetria vol.1 Teoria e applicazioni. Editore: Levrotto e Bella. ISBN: 888218028X.

Folloni, G., 1982. Principi di Topografia.

Migliaccio, F., Carrion, D., 2016. Sistemi Informativi Territoriali. Principi e applicazioni. UTET Università Editore. EAN: 9788860084750.

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercises in laboratory and on the field.

Analysis and discussion using examples of real cases.

Assessment methods

The examination at the end of the course is in written form (6 questions) with an oral integration that provides for the map reading and aims to assess the achievement of the learning objectives. To obtain a passing grade, students are required to demonstrate the knowledge of the course key concepts.

Teaching tools

A significant part of the course is organized by practical activities on the field and in the laboratory, by means of commercial, scientific and open source software.

Office hours

See the website of Valentina Alena Girelli

See the website of Antonio Zanutta