Principles of

Cartography (SUG242)

Lecture 8 :
Generalization

Department of Surveying Science and Geomatics

Faculty of Architecture, Planning, and Surveying
Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perlis
Lecture Outline & Strategy for SUG 242
Knowledge & Theory of Cartography

History

Principles on Geometry Aspect of Cartography

Cartography Cartography information sources
Generalization Process
Map Compilation and Design
Map Symbolization
Map Color and Typography

Map & Data Capture and Preparation

Cartographic Map Making and Production
Process Map Making Management
Outline For Today’s Lecture….

1. Generalization Concept
2. Elements of Generalization
3. Controls of Generalization
What is generalization?
Generalization is the process of reducing the information
content of maps due to scale change, map purpose,
intended audience, and/or technical constraints.

Why we need generalization in mapping?

Real world is too complex, maps cannot retail all the
information in the real world, therefore we need to
simplify the reality.
Why we need generalization in mapping?
1) reduce complexity
2) retain hierarchy
3) maintain spatial accuracy (e.g. shifting)
4) maintain attribute accuracy (e.g. aggregation)
5) maintain aesthetic quality
Real world

Maps
What is the purpose of generalization?
1. the reduction in scope, amount, type and
cartographic portrayal of mapped or encoded data
2. maintenance of graphical clarity at the target scale
3. basic principle of map generalization is to
emphasis salient object AND omit less important
ones
4. ensure readability AND preserve geographical
meaning of the map as faithfully as possible.
How we perform generalization?
• There is four main generalization operators , we
used the four operators to achieve maximum and
adequate level of generalization.

• The four operators (elements) were :-

i.Selection
ii.Simplification
iii.Exaggeration
iv.Classification
 Intellectual process of deciding which
SELECTION classes of features will be necessary
to serve the map purpose.

1. To limit our concern to those classes of features .

2. Which elements remain depends on the purpose of
the map.
3. No modifications take place
SIMPLIFICATIO
N important characteristics of features
Determine
attributes and eliminates unwanted details.

Two main objectives:-

1. We must reduce the amount of information
to the map’s ability to portray it legibly at
the chosen scale. That is we must decide
how much information to portray.

2. We must maintain as far as possible the

essential geographical characteristic of the
mapped phenomena
CLASSIFICATION
Classification is ordering, scaling and grouping of features
by their attributes and attributes values

• The goal of classification is to exoress the

salient character of distribution.

• Grouped the classes for comprehension and

ease of representation.
 Green
Residential Area
Area

Academic
Technology Area
Park

Commercial
Area
EXAGGERATION
Enhancement of exaggeration of feature due to
importance and legibility requirements.

The main objectives:-

1. We deliberately enlarge or alter a feature in
order to capture its real world essence.

2. It doesn’t mean it should be as accurate as

the real one, but the portrayal should
possess real meaning or shape.
Map of Peninsula Malaysia
Map of Malaysia
Map of Southeast Asia
Map of Asia
World Map
What factors that effect generalization?

There is main four forces or factors which control

the process of generalization :-

1)Map Purpose & Conditions in Use

2)Map Scale
3)Quality and Quantity of Data
4)Graphic Limits
1) Map Purpose & Conditions in Use
Before we construct a map, several basic question
should be addressed;

What is the map for?

Is the map is studied or would be used for a long
period?
Is the map designed to provide a great deal of
geographic information?
Is the map to portray particular distribution?
Will the display will be manipulated by the user?
2) Map Scale
• There is a practical level of detail associated with any
scale.
• Data captured at one scale are not transferrable to widely
different scales.
• Data captured at a larger scale are too detailed for
smaller scales, and data captured at a small scale are too
generalised for larger scales.

DIRECT RELATION TO SCALE: the smaller scale,

more generalization needed to be done to the
features selected.
 1 : 50 000

1 : 12 500
3) Quality & Quantity of Data
Data quality and quantity also greatly affect the
generalization in various ways:-

1.Quality of data affect the quality of the map produced

2.Accuracy of data sources also need to be consider
3.Lack or abundance of data (quantity matters) also can
affect maps performance
4.Cartographer should also determined the accuracy of the
data used for the maps construction
4) Graphic Limits
• Another factors which affect the generalization process is
graphic limits. We can break these factors into two
groups:-
a)Technical limits by the cartographer’s tools
b)Perceptual limits of the human eye

•Our ability to form symbols from those elements is subject to three

types of limitations : a) pyhsical, b) physiological, and c) psychological
limits.

•In digital cartography, graphic limits refer to the capacity of the

monitor and software to perform the generalization