FOSS4G 2022 workshops

ARIES: Semantics-enhanced open GIS
08-23, 09:00–13:00 (Europe/Rome), 205

The workshop will introduce the k.LAB software and the ARIES platform, implementing the FAIR principles of data/model integration and interoperability through semantic web modelling. Facilitated by experts from the ARIES team, participants will learn basic semantic modelling principles and join the ARIES network to develop their own models.


The workshop will demonstrate and introduce the k.LAB software and the ARIES platform, implementing data and model integration and interoperability through semantic web modelling. ARIES, built upon the open-source, AI-powered and web-accessible k.LAB technology, is currently serving 2,000+ users from all over the world in several pioneering applications such as the UN-sponsored ARIES for SEEA released in April 2021 (https://seea.un.org/content/aries-for-seea).

Institutions such as governments contribute knowledge to ARIES using shared semantics and a first-in-its-class semantic modelling language. The AI in k.LAB, through machine reasoning and machine learning, validates and links contributed data and models to assemble computable algorithms that address logical questions submitted by non-technical users. 

The workshop will illustrate and demonstrate the capabilities of ARIES both using web interface k.Explorer works as well as show live how some of the latest developed models work and can be visualised in a spatially explicit fashion. Then, participants will engage in some hands-on work on personal laptops, directed to enhancing GIS work with semantic modelling. Participants should install the k.LAB software and obtain a non-profit certificate in advance of the workshop, following instructions at https://integratedmodelling.org/get_started. Support is provided through support@integratedmodelling.org

Under the hood k.LAB uses FOSS software as geoserver, openlayers, geotools and the Hortonmachine.

Dr.Villa’s research sits at the multi-faceted interface of linguistics, computer science, social science, ecology and economics, concentrating on artificial intelligence approaches to assist environmental decision making and natural system assessment and valuation. His 25-year career in the USA and Europe contributes to the science of coupled natural/human systems by building technologies that take sound science and “democratize” it by putting it at the fingertips of decision makers worldwide.

Alessio Bulckaen holds an MSc in Economics and worked in the energy sector for about 5 years as financial and economic analyst. During this period, he pursued a post-graduation course in Sustainable Energy System and started working with Natural Capital Accounting. In 2020 joined BC3 to support the integration of this framework in ARIES (Artificial Intelligence for Environment and Sustainability).

Andrea Antonello works on GFOSS development since his degree in environmental
engineering. He is co-founder of HydroloGIS, a company that makes use as well
as develops GFOSS software for environmental analyses. Andrea is lead of the
HortonMachine and SMASH projects and is part of the development team of BC3.
He has a PhD about GFOSS development for digital field mapping and currently
holds two positions of contract professor at the Free University of Bolzano.

MSc in Environmental engineering, master in Project
Management and PhD in Mountain Environment and Agriculture.
Specialized in hydrology, geomorphology and hydraulics, she developed
and applies environmental models for engineering projects in
particular related to the natural hazards and the maintenance of
natural resources.
She works also in the field of forestry and LiDAR data. She worked on
the usage of LiDAR data for inventories and for the update of the
local cartography (buildings, roads, protection structures, ...).
Silvia is a power user of Open Source GIS tools for simulating
environmental processes.