3D Cadastres Best Practices, Chapter 3: 3D Cadastral Information Modelling

In this chapter we address various aspects of 3D Cadastral Information Modelling. Of course, this is closely related to the legal framework and initial registration as presented in the first two chapters. Cadastral data models, such as the Land Administration Domain Model, which include 3D support, have been developed for legal information modelling and management purposes without providing correspondence to the object’s physical counterparts. Building Information Models and virtual 3D topographic/ city models (e.g. LandXML, InfraGML, CityGML, IndoorGML) can be used to describe the physical reality. The main focus of such models is on the physical and functional characteristics of urban structures (Aien et al, 2015). However, by definition, those two aspects need to be interrelated; i.e. a tunnel, a building, a mine, etc. always have both a legal status and boundaries as well as a physical description; while it is evident that their integration would maximise their utility and flexibility to support different applications. A model driven architecture approach, including the formalization of constraints is preferred. In the model driven architecture design approach as proposed by the Object Management Group the information model, often expressed in the form of a UML class diagram is the core of the development. This so-called Platform Independent Model (PIM, as presented in the current chapter) is then transformed into Platform Specific Model (PSM). This could be a relational database schema for a spatial DBMS (as will be discussed in the next chapter), or XML schema for a data exchange format or the structure of maps, forms and tables as used in the graphic user interface of a spatial application. Constraints have proved effective in providing the solutions needed to avoid errors and enable maintenance of data quality; thus the need to specify and implement them. This chapter explores possibilities of linking 3D legal right, restriction, responsibilities spaces, modelled with the Land Administration Domain Model (ISO 19152), with physical reality of 3D objects (described via CityGML, IFC, InfraGML, etc).