Utilising data modelling to understand the structure of 3D cadastres

No jurisdiction currently maintains a fully functioning 3D cadastre. Lack of legal support, guidelines, and available technologies for acquiring and visualising 3D cadastral objects provide reasons. Additionally, the scope of 3D cadastres is wide and ambiguous with no firm agreement on the necessity and structure of 3D cadastres. Without a clear scope and vision, implementation of 3D cadastres is difficult. This paper builds from this premise. It is argued that developing a 3D cadastral data model is an effective methodology to identify and understand the scope and nature of 3D cadastres. This paper proposes a 3D cadastral data model (3DCDM). The 3DCDM provides a practical framework to model layered legal objects of survey plans and their physical counterparts using architectural and engineering plans. The data model is based on the requirements of 3D cadastre and it provides a resilient starting point for developing a 3D cadastral database.