National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis

Human conceptualization of space and its reflection in language represent a critical element in the research agenda for geographic information systems and spatial analysis. Spatial reference also is an important topic in linguistics, and spatial concepts play a central role in cognitive science. Development of a "general theory of spatial relations" has been identified as a critical research topic for the National Science Foundation’s proposed National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis. Thus far, it seems that research in the spatial sciences has been conducted in relative isolation from research in the cognitive and linguistic sciences. In response to this situation, a 2-day workshop entitled "Cognitive and Linguistic Aspects of Geographic Space" was held in 280 Park Hall on the Amherst campus of the State University of New York at Buffalo. The primary purpose of the proposed meeting is to bring together key researchers from both the cognitive/linguistic and the geographical sciences, in order to advance progress in both areas. This report attempts to summarize the scientific content of the discussions which went on during the workshop, and makes recommendations for further work in general, and for a future similar meeting to possibly be held at some time in the near future.