Towards a 3D cadastre: where do cadastral needs and technical possibilities meet?

In the Dutch cadastral registration a cadastral object (real-estate object) is by definition 2D (a parcel). In intensively used areas there is a tendency to use space above and under the surface, e.g. constructions on top of each other, infrastructure above/under the ground, increasing number of cables and pipes, apartments above shops/offices/other apartments. These factual 3D objects cannot be defined as cadastral objects in the cadastral map, which is based on 2D parcels, and cannot be used as a base for registration. From a juridical point of view the current registration has proved to be still sufficient in those situations. However, the Netherlands’ Kadaster wants to assure a sustainable, uniform and efficient registration in the future. Therefore, a research is carried out at the Department of Geodesy in collaboration with the Netherlands’ Kadaster to develop a prototype of a land information system that can take the relevant 3D information into account. This paper is written as part of our joint research. Starting points are the needs of the Netherlands’ Kadaster on the one hand and the technological possibilities on the other hand. We are looking for a concept in which cadastral needs and technical possibilities meet. The most feasible solution for this is to start with the current 2D cadastral registration and to extend this with a 3D implementation for the registration of 3D situations. The realisation of this concept is described in this paper.