The investigation of historical maps is fundamental to understanding the dynamics of landscape changes. In this study, we propose Web GIS tools as a way to compare historical maps efficiently for knowledge production. A key impetus of this article is to contribute to the ongoing efforts to broaden the appeal of ‘mixed‐methods research’ by bridging the epistemological and methodological gaps between GIS and qualitative methodologies in knowledge production. This article proposes a new visualization method for historical landscape change analysis by comparing multiple maps simultaneously with the mash‐up of Web GIS. Based on the analysis of exterior facts represented on the maps, four developmental footprints were investigated, namely, surviving place identity, disappeared place identity replaced by new identity, waning place identity overlapped with new identity, and waning identity by disconnected spatial relationships. To this end, the study argues that Web GIS applications have more potential in spatial knowledge production than traditional desktop GIS.

中文翻译：

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通过新加坡历史地图，使用Web GIS通过景观变化分析竞争空间和地点特征（1828年至2015年）

历史地图的调查是了解景观变化动态的基础。在这项研究中，我们提出了Web GIS工具，作为一种有效比较历史地图以进行知识生产的方法。本文的主要动力是通过弥合GIS与知识生产中定性方法之间的认识论和方法学鸿沟，为扩大“混合方法研究”的吸引力所做的持续努力做出贡献。本文通过同时比较多个地图和Web GIS的混搭，提出了一种用于历史景观变化分析的新可视化方法。根据对地图上表示的外部事实的分析，研究了四个发展足迹，即生存场所身份，消失场所身份被新身份取代，递减的位置身份与新的身份重叠，以及递减的空间关系导致的递减身份。为此，研究认为Web GIS应用程序在空间知识生产方面的潜力要大于传统的桌面GIS。