In GIS, topology refers to the spatial relationships between elements, for example; an area defined by a set of bounding linear elements, adjacency between areas and connectivity between linear elements. This chapter presents the basic components of a topological map and discusses the tools for creating topology.

Topology Creation operations include the creation of shape elements from boundaries, buffer generation, association of attribute linkages between centroids and boundaries/shapes and dynamic resymbolization of elements.

Topology Creation tools work with MicroStation elements, providing methods to create, modify, validate, and visualize the elements used in creating topology. These tools are used for creating shapes, placing centroids, associating attribute linkages between centroids and boundaries/shapes, validating area topology, finding area slivers, creating zones, and masking elements by attribute. Here, the terms centroids and boundaries refer to the element types used to define them.