A conceptual framework for the description of place identifiers

Abstract

A clear understanding of the concept of “place” is important in virtually every aspect of daily activity, with uses and requirements ranging from the simple to the complex. Yet the meaning or designation of a place to one group (community) could be the same or more commonly very different to another community. To handle these representations a conceptual framework has been designed for the description of Place Identifiers (PIs). Although similar framework concepts exist, they require each community to follow a specific, rigid identifier scheme which in turn guarantees uniqueness across all communities. However the Place Identifier (PI) framework defines a simple and more free-form structure which allows each community to easily make use of their own identifiers, thus retaining uniqueness within their respective community, yet facilitating representations of common places between communities. The Place Identifier framework consists of a series of models which define services for the registration, management, conversion, discovery and exchange of Place Identifiers. These framework models and services have been submitted to ISO/ TC 211 for consideration as a new work item for standardization.