USER REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS AND THE DESIGN OF AN OBJECT- ORIENTED SPATIAL DATABASE FOR MULTI-PURPOSE PLANNING: DURBAN METRO, SOUTH FRICA

摘要

With the vertical growth of infrastructure in modern cities several practical problems have arisen in urban planning data, in particular relating to the storage and integran've processing of large spatial and non-spatial datasets from various sources and different formats, data types, and multi-dimensional locations. These problems complicate database structure and design, algorithm operations, relationships, and require data types not provided by relational database systems. The present relational database system used by planners in the Durban Metro area (DMA), is characterized by limited data types, isolated spatial and non-spatial data, and a lack of ad hoc queries. Thus, it is limited in managing complex applications and queries, combining various objects, and providing sufficient information. The system omits one of the most important steps in creation and implementation of an effective database, namely the schema design. A database design schema should be preceded by determination of user requirements. Conceptual and logical levels of data abstraction are essential in the design process of a spatial database. An object-oriented approach (OOA) is used to design a database schema that allows for complex applications within the DMA. This process entailed establishing user requirements, creating a conceptual design, and logical. Unified Modelling Language is used to graphically represent the conceptual design of the database schema. The proposed system will possibly reduce complexity and maximize efficiency, accuracy, and speed of information provided within the DMA.