3D-Cadastre, a Multifaceted Challenge

SUMMARY These days, there is much talk about 3D: 3D cadastres, Building Information Models (BIM), 3D GIS and 3D visualisation platforms – technical initiatives that are driven largely by a recognition of the physical complexity of our built urban environment, the growing use of high-rise as the functional residential model in urban settings, the increasing number of stakeholders involved and the corresponding streams of information outputs. All of which demand better tools to facilitate analysis, understanding and ongoing management of the built urban environment. An ongoing research project titled ‗Land and Property Management in 3D‘ at the Centre for SDIs and Land Administration at the University of Melbourne is currently investigating the use of 3D technologies for land administration purposes, with a key aim of modelling legal and administrative cadastral information for complex multi-storey buildings in an urban context and linking this with a building‘s physical information. The project adopts two key themes of inquiry to support a move to 3D: institutional challenges, and technical issues such as data visualisation.