Modelling data integration in an object based geographical information system

The integration of geographical data from multiple and heterogeneous sources is a complex process generally performed in an incremental way. Current GIS systems provide a wide range of services to support at least physical data integration. A critical point in the development of a GIS application is the design of the integration process, Such a design is necessary to plan out the integration operations which are to be performed to achieve an effective database. Integration process modelling can simplify both the analysis and the documentation of the database construction. In the paper a possible and general approach to the problem is discussed. A case study of spatial data integration in the nautical field is finally presented.