3D Topography A Simplicial Complex-based Solution in a Spatial DBMS

Acknowledgements Each PhD project has its own particular history. My story starts on a Thursday night, late in 1999, the evening of the 'oliebollenbar' *. At that time, I was still a Geodesy student and, together with many other students, I paid a visit to the bar. During that year, staff members from each research section were asked to act as bartenders to stimulate the interrelationships between students and staff members. The GISt staff members were not only acting as bartenders, but also decided –in advance of the approaching holiday season– to bake some 'oliebollen'. A few weeks earlier it was announced that Peter van Oosterom would become the new professor of GIS Technology early in 2000. Early in the evening, he arrived to see his future group in action. It was the first night that I spoke to him, discussing his ideas for the group. He was wearing a chef's hat (the one from Tjeu, who was baking the 'oliebollen'), holding a bottle of beer in his hand and appeared to be a no-nonsense guy. Later that night I decided to choose GIS as my MSc specialization. Eight years have past since that particular evening in 1999. In the meantime I obtained my MSc under Peter's supervision, and he played an important role in my search for a job afterwards. While pursuing another job, we agreed on a temporal position as a researcher, early in 2004. The three month position would cover the period that my future employer needed to fix a budget problem. However, life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans, so after six weeks Peter offered me a PhD position that I accepted. That's how things started. Today I am at the end of this project. Although only my name is printed on the cover of this book, I could not have achieved this result without the indispensable support of many people. First of all I have to thank Peter van Oosterom. Without his enthusiasm, open communication and down-to-earth attitude this project could not have been successful. Furthermore I like to thank the 2004 GISt group for welcoming me, with special thanks to Edward for his involvement in the start of the project, all staff members * An 'oliebol' is a typical Dutch treat, traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve, and can be described roughly as a doughnut ball. The 'oliebollenbar' was …