Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
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ItemPreferred states in spatial soil moisture patterns: Local and nonlocal controls(AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION, 1997-12)In this paper we develop a conceptual and observational case in which soil water patterns in temperate regions of Australia switch between two preferred states. The wet state is dominated by lateral water movement through both surface and subsurface paths, with catchment terrain leading to organization of wet areas along drainage lines. We denote this as nonlocal control. The dry state is dominated by vertical fluxes, with soil properties and only local terrain (areas of high convergence) influencing spatial patterns. We denote this as local control. The switch is described in terms of the dominance of lateral over vertical water fluxes and vice versa. When evapotranspiration exceeds rainfall, the soil dries to the point where hydraulic conductivity is low and any rainfall that occurs essentially wets up the soil uniformly and is evapotranspired before any significant lateral redistribution takes place. As evapotranspiration decreases and/or rainfall increases, areas of high local convergence become wet, and runoff that is generated moves downslope, rapidly wetting up the drainage lines. In the wet to dry transitional period a rapid increase in potential evapotranspiration (and possibly a decrease in rainfall) causes drying of the soil and “shutting down” of lateral flow. Vertical fluxes dominate and the “dry” pattern is established. Three data sets from two catchments are presented to support the notion of preferred states in soil moisture, and the results of a modeling exercise on catchments from a range of climatic conditions illustrate that the conclusions from the field studies may apply to other areas. The implications for hydrological modeling are discussed in relation to methods for establishing antecedent moisture conditions for event models, for distribution models, and for spatially distributing bulk estimates of catchment soil moisture using indices.
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Item[Review of the book Fermat's last theorem](The Victorian Bar, 1997)Two recent books celebrate the long sought solution of a venerable maths problem.
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ItemThe justification of cadastral systems in developing countries( 1997)This paper provides a justification for cadastral systems in developing countries. The paper commences with a brief overview of cadastral systems and argues that the debate about such systems should move from whether cadastral systems are important or appropriate for developing countries, to what constitutes an appropriate cadastre for such countries. The paper reviews the reasons for the dramatic increase in interest in cadastral systems over the last decade and highlights some of the lessons and current challenges facing policy makers in the design of appropriate cadastral systems. The role of cadastral systems in both urban and rural situations is considered. In rural areas the paper argues that a secure title is important: in promoting increased investment in agriculture; for more effective husbandry of the land; for improved sustainable development; to support an increase in GNP through an increase in agricultural productivity; and providing significant social and political benefits leading to a more stable society, especially where land is scarce. In densely populated rural areas or areas of high value a cadastral system also permits an effective land market to operate and allows an equitable land taxation system to operate. In urban areas it argues that a cadastral system is essential to support an active land market by permitting land to be bought, sold, mortgaged and leased efficiently, effectively, quickly and at low cost. In addition it argues that a parcel based land information system (not necessarily computerised), based on the cadastre, is essential for the efficient management of cities. Cadastral systems permit land taxes to be raised thereby supporting a wide range of urban services, and allowing the efficient management and delivery of local government services. In promoting the importance of cadastral systems in developing countries, the paper draws heavily on the experiences of the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and several recognised authorities. The paper also argues that an effective cadastral system is important for the support of sustainable economic development and environmental management within the context of Agenda 21 as agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Brazil in 1992. The paper then reviews the trend for cadastral and land information systems to be increasingly justified on rigorous economic grounds, both in the developed and developing worlds. Finally, the paper emphasises that cadastral systems must be appropriate to the circumstances and needs of the individual country, otherwise the cadastral system can do more harm than good!
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ItemUsing the case study methodology to review cadastral reform in Papua New Guinea( 1997)Cadastral reform is generally considered to be complex, costly, high risk, time consuming and often difficult to introduce. This paper reviews the use of a case study methodology to assess its effectiveness in understanding such reforms. Current cadastral reform in Papua New Guinea is used in this paper as an example to evaluate the methodology. Case studies in two different provinces are described to highlight PNG's social, political, economic and cultural background and to assess the performance of recent cadastral reform initiatives, particularly with regard to the registration of customary land.
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ItemThe future of the surveying profession: an Australian perspective( 1997)The surveying profession is currently facing the biggest challenge in its modern history. Rapid technological change, micro-economic reform, de-regulation of the professions, and the Internet are placing pressures on traditional professional operations and structures never previously experienced. Yet issues of environmental degradation, sustainable development, the management of our cities and economic rationalism are presenting opportunities and challenges to our profession never thought possible. Issues central to our profession such as cadastral reform and spatial data infrastructures are grabbing the attention of policy makers as they realise their importance in economic development, environmental management and social stability. Can the surveying profession survive these changes and what does the future hold? This paper endeavours to seek answers to these questions by looking at the past, endeavouring to understand the present and trying to look into the future. The paper focuses on the Australian surveying profession while recognising that many of the issues discussed are relevant to other countries.
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ItemEconomic rationalism in managing spatial data infrastructure: the Australian experience( 1997)One of the most interesting developments in GIS over the last few years has been the attention given to the development of spatial data infrastructures at state and national levels. These jurisdictions are moving towards holistic management of their spatial data to support both the government and the rapidly expanding spatial information industry. Paralleling this growth in spatial data infrastructure has been a move to economic rationalism and micro-economic reform in many developed countries worldwide. In Australian governments this has led to the development of a Purchaser/Provider model and the introduction of the National Competition Policy. This paper will use the State of Victoria in Australia as a case study to highlight the impact of economic rationalism in managing spatial data infrastructures. The analysis draws on current research on the diffusion of GIS, the experiences of working with governments in Australia and overseas on the development of spatial data infrastructures in general, and the key component, digital cadastral databases, in particular.
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ItemDigital cadastral databases: the Australian experience( 1997)Countries in the world that have maintained some form of cadastral mapping are now proceeding to a full digital representation of these cadastral maps with the ultimate aim of having country wide coverage at an accuracy level consistent with current technology in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and surveying. GIS have shown the economic and information benefits of integrating the data sets and functions of the mapping, land titling and land management institutions. Also in each of these countries the current status and future directions of digital cadastral databases (DCDB) in any jurisdiction depends very much on the historical origin of the cadastral systems and the land related institutional structures (or current restructuring). In contrast to the varied paths to the present digital cadastral maps of any country the current problems and required solutions are surprisingly similar worldwide. This paper focuses on the current problems and solutions strategies for state DCDBs within Australian with particular focus on the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). A brief explanation of the origin of state DCDBs in Australia is followed by an overview of the information flow in the cadastral systems to contextualise the current issues and strategies for the update and upgrade of the Australian state DCDBs.
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ItemAn introduction to the use of a case study methodology to review cadastral reform in Papua New Guinea( 1997)Cadastral reform is generally considered to be complex, costly, high risk, time consuming and often difficult to introduce. This paper reviews the use of a case study methodology to assess its effectiveness in understanding such reforms. Current cadastral reform in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is used in this paper as an example to evaluate the methodology. Case studies in two different provinces are described to highlight PNG's social, political, economic and cultural background and the performance of recent cadastral reform initiatives, particularly with regard to the registration of customary land. Current cadastral reform in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is used in this paper as an example to evaluate the methodology. Case studies in two different provinces are described to highlight PNG's social, political, economic and cultural background and the performance of recent cadastral reform initiatives, particularly with regard to the registration of customary land.
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ItemThe Bogor declaration for cadastral reform( 1997)An Inter-Regional Meeting of Experts on Cadastre was held in Bogor, Indonesia, in March 1996, with the primary objective being "to develop a document setting out the desirable requirements and options for cadastral systems of developing countries in the Asia and Pacific region and to some extent globally". A number of important issues arose from the meeting. First, the basic justification for a cadastral system was agreed on, being for economic development, environmental management and social stability. In rural areas cadastral systems are important for promoting increased investment in agriculture, and in urban areas, to support an active land and real estate market. It was recognised that all countries have individual needs and requirements, but that countries at similar stages of development have some similarities in their requirements. Secondly, the meeting recognised that the key to a successful cadastral system is one where the three main cadastral processes of adjudication of land rights, land transfer and mutation (subdivision and consolidation), are undertaken efficiently, securely and at a reasonable cost and speed, in support of an efficient and effective land market. Key cadastral issues were also discussed and in particular, it was agreed that "the success of a cadastral system is not dependent on its legal or technical sophistication, but whether it protects land rights adequately and permits those rights to be traded (where appropriate) efficiently, simply, quickly, securely and at low cost".
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ItemStrategic management of cadastral reform: institutional issues( 1997)A key objective of this paper is to show the increasing importance of cadastral reform in economic development, social stability and environmental and in particular the requirement for institutional reform in achieving such these reforms. This is achieved by briefly reviewing key UN initiatives over the last five years, such as the Earth, Social and City summits. The paper argues that cadastral reform requires a national commitment by governments to strategically manage the reform process. Central to this reform process are a range of economic, technical and institutional issues. From an institutional perspective, the cadastral surveying and mapping, and land registration functions in government, are also developing close strategic alliances or are merging. The paper concludes by identifying a range of key issues which must be addressed if the above initiatives are to become a reality. In drawing conclusions the paper draws heavily on the Statement on the Cadastre developed by the International Federation of Surveyors and the Bogor Declaration, which resulted from a joint meeting of cadastral experts brought together by the United Nations, the International Federation of Surveyors and the Indonesian Government.