3D cadastre in Singapore

• Main Author: Yip, Manson Ming Shun.
• Other Authors: Tor Yam Khoon
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Spatial information/surveying
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/15962
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The concept of cadastre has been that of a proper and indisputable registration of legal rights of land ever since such practices started. What has not changed is the fact that when it comes to ownership, the boundaries in all dimensions remain free from intersection. But the extent of details required has evolved from a simple demarcation of 2-dimensional land boundaries (parcels) to the 3rd dimension commonly known as 3D cadastre, and often involving complex situations that results in overlapping of boundaries as seen on a 2D plane. Such cadastres are difficult to understand, often misleading and omission of important details is unavoidable. However, developers of land scarce urban areas all around the world are increasingly opting for mixed development, constructing structures that belong to different owners on the same plot of land. Hence, the motivation behind this project - and many others alike in the world - is to find a new method of cadastral registration that can clearly record all geometry needed in three dimensions, either with the existing or a new legal framework, without leaving any room for dispute. And as an added bonus, complete understanding of the cadastre will no longer be limited to professions in the field of surveying or law but to anyone who queries. In this project, we first studied and evaluated five 3D cadastre models that cities around the world have employed. Next, 4 unique cases of mixed development in Singapore that made used of airspace lots and subterranean lots were chosen, and 3D illustrations were used to simulate the implications of their respective cadastral maps. Their discrepancies with the actual situation and other problems that arise as a result of the limitation of the method of cadastral registration used were identified. From our findings, 3 out of the 4 cases require a full 3D cadastre as opposed to a hybrid 3D model. Mixed development will continue to be on the rise in Singapore and other countries. The existing cadastral framework needs an immediate revamp to catch up with its need for 3D cadastral registration.