Datenkarten

Datenkarten are electronic representations of geographical areas that contain structured data about various physical or socio‑economic features. They are created by overlaying multiple layers of information such as land use, watershed boundaries, population density, or infrastructure networks onto a base map. Each layer is typically stored as a separate file or database table, and the overall Karten (plural of Karte) system integrates these layers so that users can query, edit, or analyze the combined data set.

The term “Datenkarte” is most common in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, where it is used by governmental agencies, universities, and private firms for urban planning, environmental monitoring, and resource management. In the context of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a Datenkarte can be produced in various formats, including shapefile, GeoJSON, or GeoPackage. The data layers can be vector‑based, containing points, lines, or polygons, or raster‑based, containing pixel‑based imagery or elevation models. Many Datenkarten are published as web maps, allowing users to access the data through browsers or specialized GIS software.

Typical applications include zoning and land‑use planning, flood risk assessment, transportation network analysis, and public health studies. Because the data layers are digitized, they can be updated quickly and shared across institutions, improving collaboration and decision‑making efficiency. In addition, Datenkarten often incorporate metadata that documents the data source, creation date, scale, and any transformations applied, which is essential for data quality assessment and reproducibility of analyses.