Topology-aware indexing system for urban knowledge

Maps are being widely used as tools for presenting or retrieving information with spatial attributes. Existing map-based applications do not use the full potential of digital maps and geographical data: social media are disconnected from the underlying geographical entities; maps as visualization tools do not use the urban topology to cluster point of interest; maps as input systems are intrinsically ambiguous. This work presents a topology-aware indexing system supporting a new metaphor for a real integration between social media and digital maps. The methodology and technical solutions required to build and populate the indexing table starting from OpenStreetMap spatial primitives are introduced.