Institute for Cartography at the Technical University of Dresden

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Corridor of the Institute for Cartography of the Technical University of Dresden

The Institute for Cartography at the Technical University of Dresden belongs to the geosciences department of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and has been based in the Hülsse-Bau in Dresden's Helmholtzstrasse since it was founded .

history

After the enrollment year 1955 the training of graduate engineers for Cartography had begun at the Technical University in Dresden, took place on 1. December 1959 the establishment of the Institute for Cartography of the Technical University of Dresden, which in 1961 in Dresden University of Technology has been renamed. Nikolai Michailowitsch Wolkow , dean of the Cartographic Faculty of the Moscow University for Engineers of Geodesy, Aerophotogrammetry and Cartography (MIIGAiK), who arrived in Dresden on January 28, 1957 with his wife and from the winter semester , laid the foundations for the establishment of his own chair for cartography 1957 until the summer semester 1958 taught as visiting professor for cartography at the Technical University in Dresden. In 1957 he also took over the planning of the equipment and the ordering of the necessary equipment and machines for a modern cartographic reproduction and printing laboratory , which was expanded and modernized again and again until the 1990s. The assistants Heinz Finger and Rudolf Habel also played a major role in creating the organizational and technical prerequisites for cartographic training as well as in the structure of the course itself . In addition to the procurement and installation of the equipment for the cartographic-technical facility (KTE), they were also closely involved in teaching right from the start .

Under the direction of the Austrian Wolfgang Pillewizer , who was appointed to the chair for cartography in 1958 , a broad expansion of thematic cartography in teaching and research took place . To this end, he brought Friedrich Töpfer in 1960 , Karl Lengfeld in 1962 and Werner Stams in 1963 , who subsequently made an important contribution to research and teaching, to the institute. Wolfgang Pillewizer's good connections to East and West also helped the constant expansion of the specialist library and the sample map collection. During this time, the Institute for Cartography began to offer further cartographic education options in addition to direct studies. In the 1960s and 1970s, for example, there was also the option of taking cartography by distance learning . In addition, from the beginning of the 1960s to 2006, in addition to the study of cartography , cartographic advanced training courses on current key topics were offered.

The third reform of higher education in the German Democratic Republic introduced in the late 1960s and at the Technical University of Dresden on fundamental restructuring, in autumn 1968 , among others, the creation of the Section of Geodesy and Cartography of and renamed the Institute of Cartography in field of science Cartography brought with them . Head for the scientific field mapping and deputy of the section director for planning and management of science and from 1969 Deputy Director of the Section Walter Zill was Professor Wolfgang Pillewizer. Due to the development of the political situation in the GDR, the tightening of the secrecy regulations for topographic maps as well as plans to introduce the elective cartography for geodesy students at the Technical University of Vienna , Wolfgang Pillewizer decided in 1970 to give up the chair for cartography in Dresden and to give up the country leave.

It was not until 1972 that the chair was filled with Professor Rudi Ogrissek , who held this position until 1990 and was also section director from 1977 to 1980 . Friedrich Töpfer, who had been a lecturer in topography and topographic cartography since 1966 , had already started setting up a computer laboratory around 1970 .

After the political upheavals in Germany , an institute for cartography and geography was founded at the beginning of 1991 as part of the new Faculty of Civil, Water and Forestry . As part of the university renewal in the Free State of Saxony , the institute was restructured in 1992 and equipped with three professorships and a lecturer in the new law, which were filled with Manfred Buchroithner , Wolf Günther Koch and Ingeborg Wilfert . The lectureship remained vacant for the time being. At that time the equipment of the institute was supplemented by the most modern technology for digital cartography and geoinformatics including satellite image analysis. The facility for prepress and printing was expanded with a new digital reprotechnical workstation, a raster imagesetter and an offset printing machine .

Further restructuring followed. In the summer of 1993, the Department of Geodesy and Cartography belonging to the Faculty of Construction, Water Management and Forestry, and from the winter semester the Department of Geodesy / Cartography / Geography , to which the independent Institute for Cartography belonged again since January 1, 1993, was founded. Since the winter semester 1994 which is part of the Institute of Cartography for specialty Geosciences of the new Faculty of Forest, Geo and Hydro Sciences Dresden University of Technology. At the end of August, a circular from the Rector announced that this faculty would again be renamed the Faculty of Environmental Sciences .

research

Research at the Institute for Cartography at the Technical University of Dresden covers a very wide range of topics. In addition, the company began very early on to finance research more and more through commissions from industry and thus to orientate itself particularly strongly towards practical application . Since research and teaching were carried out by the same staff and student work was and will be included in the research activity whenever possible, there is a very close interweaving of research and teaching at the Institute for Cartography at the Technical University of Dresden.

In the first few years, research focused primarily on generalization , but at the same time also dealt with relief , thematic cartography and reproductive issues. From 1968 the main focus of research was automation in cartography, the training of which was then intensively pursued and promoted from the 1970s. At the end of the 1980s, Heinrich Griess was in charge of research on automation research for the development of the GDR's Automated Cartographic System (AKS), whose tasks corresponded roughly to what was later implemented in the Federal Republic with the Official Topographic-Cartographic Information System (ATKIS). In addition, the research in the 1970s and 1980s was closely linked to the creation of the Atlas of the German Democratic Republic . The institute was also active in theoretical cartography during this period. For example, in 1987 Rudi Ogrissek's book “Theoretical Cartography. An introduction".

Since the 1990s, the research of the Institute for Cartography has mainly dealt with the topics of theoretical cartography and cartography semiotics , three-dimensional visualization , high-mountain and planetary cartography, tactile maps , geographic information systems , internet and multimedia cartography as well as the application and adaptation of modern digital Media technology for special cartographic needs. In 2013 the book by Pablo Azócar and Manfred Buchroithner Paradigms in Cartography was published for the 27th World Cartography Congress organized by the institute in Dresden . An Epistemological Review of the 20th and 21st Centuries .

Furnishing

Offset printing machine in the Cartographic-Technical Facility (KTE) of the Technical University of Dresden
Offset proof press and paper cutting machine in the cartographic-technical facility of the Technical University of Dresden

The equipment of the Cartographic-Technical Facility (KTE) in the Tillich Building , which belongs to the Institute for Cartography, was designed from the outset in such a way that all work steps in map production, from drawing and engraving to the photographic processes to the printing of the finished map , could be carried out here. In addition to demonstrating technical processes as part of the training, it was used primarily to produce glacier maps according to photogrammetric evaluations and to produce design variants for thematic maps. Soon it was also used for student work, for diploma theses and for the production of original maps that were created in cooperation with partner institutions in practice. Materials and methods for increasing dimensional accuracy and for relief shading were also researched here. For a long time, a special feature of the cartographic-technical facility was the two-room reproduction camera with a negative format of 80 × 80 cm, which was dismantled a few years ago.

However, the equipment has not been significantly modernized since the last major investments in 1992. Since the majority of the equipment was assigned to analog reproduction technology and this has been almost completely replaced by digital data processing in practice , most of the equipment has been taken out of service in recent years. The few remaining devices are mostly no longer used because, on the one hand, there is no longer any need and, on the other hand, the staff who are knowledgeable about the operation are now retired . Instead, investments are made in modern computer workstations with the associated cartography- specific hardware and software .

The Institute for Cartography has its own small specialist library and sample map collection as well as one of the largest relief collections in Germany. This collection of reliefs was not created purposefully, but gradually arose mainly through donations.

education

historical development

The elaboration of the first curriculum for Cartography by a commission at the State Secretariat of Higher Education under the direction of Dresdner Geodesy Professor Walter Zill took place from 1953 . This first study plan in the field of cartography was confirmed and published on September 1, 1955. It comprised a two-year basic course, which was carried out entirely together with the field of geodesy , as well as a three-year specialist course, with the 8th semester serving as an engineering internship. With a geodetic share of 37%, the course was still very much oriented towards its origins. The degree earned the title of graduate engineer for cartography right from the start . The first students enrolled in the winter semester 1955/56 .

From the enrollment year 1960, the course was extended by one semester, the geodetic part reduced, and for the first time field internships were carried out, as they have their origins in the geographical training tradition and are carried out in cartography studies at the Technical University of Dresden to this day. These field internships were carried out together with the Technical University of Prague until 1968 and led on the one hand to the Slovak High Tatras and on the other to the Mecklenburg inland and the Baltic Sea coast . From 1969 to 1989 the destination of these excursions was the Polish High Tatras. In 1990 the excursion went to the French Alps . A ten-day field internship has been taking place in the Eastern Alps ( Austria ) since 1992 .

In addition to the direct study, a five-year correspondence course in cartography was also offered in 3 matriculations with the final years 1967 , 1970 and 1975 . Overall, the opportunity for distance learning was used by 12 students.

In 1968 the study time was again reduced to 10 semesters. From 1969 to the 1970s, the study time was only 8 semesters, whereby you could choose between three different degrees. Without thesis one was university engineer , with diploma work engineer and had the opportunity to a research study with PhD for Doctor of Engineering to join (Dr.-Ing.).

From 1973 the fourth curriculum was drawn up, which became fully effective from 1975. This study plan took into account the paradigm shift in cartography and the changed requirements of practice. New elements in this curriculum were cartographic communication, the engineering- psychological basics of cartography, mathematical- cartographic methods, the automation of map production, the further expansion of thematic cartography and the formation of learning complexes. Now the study time was again 9 semesters.

In 1992 the fifth curriculum came into force, which again provided for a standard study period of 10 semesters. With the expansion of the area of ​​geographic information systems and the introduction of the subjects of digital cartography , image processing and map design , this accounted for the transition from analog to digital cartography. In addition, various elective subjects and the three specializations topographic cartography , geoinformatics and thematic cartography were introduced.

From 1996 the subject of thematic cartography was also offered as a minor for geography students, from 2004 the subject cartography and geographic information systems as a minor for students of computer science and media informatics . From 2001 to 2007 , training in geographic information systems was also taken over for students of hydrology .

Since 1959, external experts have also often been called in as lecturers.

In the first few years the number of students per year was relatively stable at only 6 to 9 students. However, the number of students has increased significantly since the 1990s in particular.

Current cartographic training

Since the winter semester of 2008 , the course has been offered under the name "Cartography and Geomedia Technology" according to the Bachelor and Master system . Following the bachelor’s degree, there is the possibility of completing a 4-semester master’s degree in "Geographic Information Technologies". In addition to cartographers, this is also offered to graduates of the bachelor's degree courses in geodesy and geoinformation as well as geography and, depending on the choice of elective modules, consists of around 10 to 50% cartographic content. The first master's program started in the winter semester 2011 / 12 .

The course has a modular structure, with the individual modules consisting of lectures , exercises , seminars , internships and self-study . The bachelor's degree program comprises 6 semesters in which 21 compulsory modules including an 8-week internship and 3 elective modules have to be completed. In the beginning, mainly the mathematical and scientific basics are dealt with. In addition to the core subjects of general and applied cartography and geomedia technology, the program also includes supplementary subjects in geosciences and general qualifications.

In cooperation with the Technical Universities of Munich and Vienna , an English-language course "International Master of Science in Cartography" has been offered since the 2011/12 academic year , with one semester studying at each of the 3 universities and the master's thesis being written in the 4th semester at one of these universities becomes.

In addition to its own cartography training, the Institute for Cartography also provides teaching services for the courses in geodesy , geography and hydrology . Since 1996 it has also offered the minor thematic cartography for geographers and since 2004 the minor cartography and geographic information systems for computer scientists and later media computer scientists .

Directors, professors and lecturers

Head of the Cartography Science Department (1968–1990) and the Institute for Cartography and Geography (1991–1992) (from December 1, 1959):

Chair or later professorship for cartography The position plan for the chair for cartography was approved for the first time on May 22, 1957 with retroactive effect to January 1, 1957. Until it was filled by Professor Wolfgang Pillewizer, the Chair of Cartography was temporarily administered by Walter Zill, Professor of Geodesy.

  • Apr. 01, 1958 to August 31, 1970 - Wolfgang Pillewizer
  • September 1, 1972 to February 29, 1992 - Rudi Ogrissek
  • from October 1, 1992 - Manfred Buchroithner

Professorship for Theoretical Cartography and Map Design ( June 1, 1992 to March 31, 2008)

  • Wolf Günther Koch

Professorship for Card Technology ( November 1, 1992 to March 31, 2004)

  • Ingeborg Wilfert

Professorship for Cartographic Communication (from March 1, 2009)

  • Dirk Burghardt

Lecturer in Topography and Topographic Cartography (February 1, 1966 to August 31, 2001)

  • February 1, 1966 to March 31, 1992 - Friedrich Töpfer; from September 15, 1990 to March 31, 1992 Associate Professor of Topography and Topographic Cartography
  • April 1, 2000 to August 31, 2001 - Frank Dickmann

Lecturer in card design (February 1, 1971 to December 31, 1992)

  • Werner Stams

Lecturer in the automation of cartographic processes (February 1, 1980 to December 31, 1992)

  • Frank Hoffmann

See also

Web links

literature

  • Manfred Buchroithner, Wolf Günter Koch, Ingeborg Wilfert in coordination with the Commission for Education and Training of the German Society for Cartography e. V., Federal Labor Office (publisher): Sheets on vocational studies. Graduate engineer in cartography ; Wilhelm Bertelsmann Verlag, Bielefeld 2000. ISBN 3-7639-2865-0
  • Konrad Großer: 50 years of cartography studies at the TU Dresden - festival colloquium on November 9, 2007 . In: Kartographische Nachrichten 1/2008
  • Wolf Günther Koch: Karl Lengfeld 1924 - 2011 . In Cartographic News 1/2012
  • Werner Stams: From the life of the geographic institute of the GDR. The Institute for Cartography at the Technical University of Dresden . In: Geographical Reports 36, 1965
  • Various authors: TU Dresden (publisher): Kartographische Baussteine ​​KB 1. Scientific colloquium "25 years of university education in the field of cartography" ; Geodesy and Cartography Section, Cartography Science Area, Dresden 1982
  • Various authors: TU Dresden (editor): 10 years of cartography at the Technical University of Dresden . Reprint of the scientific journal of the TU Dresden 19 (1970) H. 3 - series 7, issue 9
  • Various authors: TU Dresden (editor): Kartographische Baussteine ​​KB 14. 40 years of cartography training at the Technical University of Dresden 1957 - 1997 ; Institute for Cartography, Cartographic-Technical Facility, Dresden 1998

Other sources

  1. ↑ Technische Universität Dresden, University Archives : Personnel and Lecture Directories
  2. ^ Technical University of Dresden, administrative guidelines of the university administration: circular from the rector
  3. ^ ICC 2013 International Cartographic Association. In: icaci.org. Retrieved February 4, 2017 .
  4. ^ Pablo Iván Azócar Fernández and Manfred Buchroithner: Paradigms in Cartography - An Epistemological Review of the 20th and 21st Centuries. In: springer.com. Springer, accessed February 4, 2017 .
  5. ↑ Technical University of Dresden, University Archives : Institute documents Professor Koch, number 12
  6. ↑ Technical University of Dresden, University Archives : Faculty of Building, XII / 385
  7. ^ Technical University of Dresden, University archive : Werner Stams personal file
  8. ^ Technical University of Dresden, University archive : Frank Hoffmann personnel file

Coordinates: 51 ° 1 ′ 44.6 "  N , 13 ° 43 ′ 25.7"  E