Partitioning building groups at multiple scales based on image segmentation

Abstract

The partitioning of building groups is a prerequisite for map generalization. Existing methods center on the spatial relationships between individual buildings, neglecting the interrelations among building groups. As such, these methods prove suitable only for identifying building groups at a single scale. In this research, we introduce a novel methodology for partitioning building groups across multiple scales by employing image segmentation, thus enabling the simultaneous recognition of building groups of all scales within a recognition unit. First, image segmentation and merging approaches were employed to extract merged image regions, representing the spatial relationships of building groups. Then, the process commenced with the construction of a graphical representation encompassing buildings and merged regions, wherein the edges were assigned weights indicative of the closeness between groups of buildings. Finally, the graph underwent a progressive segmentation process, and a scale set of building groups was established. Based on the experimental findings, the proposed approach can proficiently partition building groups across various scales. This is demonstrated by the accuracy rate surpassing 90% in the complex experimental area. One can effortlessly derive building groups from the scale set by using a predetermined scale parameter. These findings may serve as a fundamental basis for the implementation of multiscale map generalization and the linkage updating of multiscale spatial data.

Keywords

• Partition of building groups
• image segmentation
• multiple scales
• map generalization