Dynamic web-mapping using Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG)

Web-mapping is a growing and popular use of GIS but creating even a simple map is often a non-trivial and costly task. One potential solution to this problem is Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), an XML based 2D graphics standard. SVG offers rich client-side interactivity and unrivalled graphical quality, without the need for an expensive mapping/applications server. We introduce SVG technology and provide an overview of its benefits for both producers and users of interactive maps. We then outline the drawbacks of SVG web-mapping and how it compares to existing approaches. Different methods for generating SVG maps are compared including hand-coding, exporting directly from ArcGIS9+ or using extensions to ArcView/ArcGIS which allow the user to automatically create dynamic maps from geospatial data. Finally, we explore some example applications that demonstrate the key advantages of SVG.