geocomputation

The application of computing technology to geographical enquiry. It has grown with the electronic assembling and storage of data gathered by survey, from mapping agencies, and from satellite-borne instruments, among others, and with the emergence of Geographical Information Systems technology.

Geocomputation includes dynamic modelling, space-time mechanics, spatial data analysis, and visualization, and has an inductive approach to geographical analysis, which puts the accent more on process than form, more on dynamics than statics, and more on interaction than passive response (S. Openshaw and S. Alvanides, in D. J. Maguire and D. W. Rhind (eds.) 1999). Geocomputation has been used by governments (using census and other data to manage services and facilities), and by commerce (managing utilities).