Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
Permanent URI for this collection
Search Results
1 - 10 of 54
-
ItemWhy cadastral reform?( 1990)Why has it been necessary to have a conference on cadastral reform? In fact what is cadastral reform in the Australasian context? The paper addresses these issues from an historical perspective and looks at present issues and pressures on Australasian cadastral systems. Present cadastral reforms are reviewed and some issues which need to be addressed in the future are highlighted. In particular the paper emphasises that an holistic approach is necessary in reforming cadastral systems while recognising that cadastral systems are fast becoming information systems as we move into the era of an information society. The paper recognises that our present cadastral systems had their genesis in the 19th Century and that many of our practices, laws and regulations and institutional arrangements are not applicable to today's society. Present day changes to our cadastral systems however must recognise that it is only during the last decade that cadastral principles have been accepted within our land administration systems.
-
ItemTeaching and research programs in land and geographic information systems at the University of Melbourne, Australia( 1990)As in many other parts of the world, Australia is experiencing a severe shortage of Land and Geographic Information System (LIS/GIS) specialists who possess appropriate tertiary education backgrounds. This shortage of qualified personnel is causing difficulties for public agencies trying to establish LIS/GIS which, having fought for approval of staff increases, are often in the embarrassing position of not being able to fill positions when finally allowed to do so. This shortage applies just as equally to the private and academic sectors.In an effort to address this imbalance, The University of Melbourne has designed new LIS/GIS courses and subjects, at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with the aim of catering for young professionals about to enter the LIS/GIS community, and current administrators, academics and practitioners who find they now need a stronger background in the science, technology and management issues surrounding LIS/GIS.The paper outlines a multi-disciplinary strategy at The University of Melbourne for teaching and research in LIS/GIS. The paper, however, concentrates on the programs within the Department of Surveying and Land Information (A Centre of Excellence in Land Information Studies designated by the Institute of Land Information based in Washington, DC), and a new Graduate Diploma in Geographic Information Systems being introduced jointly by the above department and the School of Environmental Planning within the University.
-
ItemEducating land surveyors for the next century: the technology and land management dichotomy( 1990)Land surveyors have always had a close affinity with the land which has been reflected in their education. There is however a dichotomy in many countries in the education of surveyors, between the emphasis placed on land management and land related issues and the science and technology of surveying. This paper examines how the Department of Surveying and Land Information at The University of Melbourne, Australia has addressed this issue.
-
ItemAppropriate cadastral systems( 1995)This paper discusses the role of cadastres in developing countries, reviews why cadastral systems have become much more important in the eyes of policy makers over the last ten years, particularly in the developing world, and finally highlights some important lessons arising from establishing cadastral systems in developing countries over the past decade.
-
ItemEstablishing coordinated cadastres: Australian experiences( 1996)Australian cadastral systems have been strongly influenced by the historical settlement of the Australian states and territories. An important consequence is that no cadastral office was ever established and as a result a coordinated cadastre never developed. Departments of Lands or Surveyors General departments administered the ever decreasing Crown lands as a result of rapid alienation, as well as the jurisdictions' surveying and mapping infrastructure. As a result Australia lacked a European style cadastral office providing a complete cadastral record which could be used for land administration purposes. Land Titles Offices historically had the responsibility for all freehold or private lands, which now comprise the vast majority of land parcels in the states. These Offices have been responsible for examining all cadastral surveys and ensuring appropriate regulations for such surveys, however they have only ever been concerned with individual transactions in support of an efficient land market. The maintenance of the cadastral map for each jurisdiction however has usually remained under the control of the Surveyor General or in recent years a geographic information coordination agency. Increasingly the title register in each jurisdiction is including all Crown and government lands and is assuming the role of a European cadastre, albeit the cadastral index has legal significance since it is based on actual land titles. Due to computerisation of the titles register and the establishment of digital cadastral data bases (DCDB), the trend in Australia is for the textual and spatial components of the cadastre to come together technically and administratively. This has allowed Australian jurisdictions for the first time to have a complete cadastral record to support land administration. The resulting model has permitted Australia to move from a land administration structure that was conceptually well behind that of most developed and many developing countries to a position at the forefront of developments due to innovation and computerisation. The development of coordinated cadastres formed by upgrading the now complete DCDBs in Australia is the key in the future improvement of Australia's cadastral systems. This paper reviews this development and shows how the Australian systems differ from their European counterparts. It concludes by attempting to describe a future conceptual model for an Australian state wide geographic information system based on a legal cadastre. Australian states and territories are well advanced to achieving this vision.
-
ItemCadastral reform : an Australian vision for the 1990s( 1991)Ten years ago cadastral reform was not an issue in Australia. In fact, the term 'cadastre' was not even thought applicable in Common Law jurisdictions; today this view has changed. What is 'cadastral reform' and why has it become a key issue in Australasia over the last few years, are key elements of this paper. This chapter recognises that present Australian cadastral systems had their genesis in the 19th Century and, as a consequence, many of our practices, laws and regulations and institutional arrangements are not applicable in today's society. In reforming our cadastral systems, the paper looks at the major pressures which are instigating change. In particular, the chapter emphasises that an holistic approach is necessary in reforming cadastral systems while recognising that cadastral systems are fast becoming spatial information systems, in parallel with the community as it moves into the era of an information society. As an example of the growing interest in cadastral reform, the recent conference 'Cadastral Reform 1990', the first of its type in Australia, is reviewed.
-
ItemLand information management in urban areas( 1991)The paper discusses the role of land information systems (LIS) in the management of cities; LIS in the urban context are defined, the reasons for having urban LIS are listed, the benefits of having urban LIS are discussed and problems of implementation are highlighted. The paper also considers the relationship between the establishment of a land information system in a city and a state or national land information system strategy.
-
ItemEducating Surveyors for the Next Century-Issues and Strategies( 1991)In designing a degree course for surveyors which will serve their needs in the next century, there are many issues to be addressed. Firstly, the changing requirements of the community regarding professorial skills required from the surveyor need to determined and then translated into appropriate academic courses. Secondly, the ongoing dilemma in surveying education concerning the dichotomy between emphasing land management and land related issues, and the science and technology of surveying, must be addressed. Thirdly, the subject streams must be designed so, that they reflect current developments in technology and the underlying sciences.This paper reviews the vision of the surveying degree programs at The University of Melbourne and discusses some 0: the strategies in addressing the above issues. In particular, the paper reviews the market for surveying skills in the next century, considers the land measurement and measurement science dichotomy, summaries major considerations in designing a land surveying program for the next century and examines how subject or discipline streams should be designed. In this regard it examines the integration of fundamental theory and applications as a logical sequence throughout the course. Finally, the paper indicates how an undergraduate program can be designedto interface with a range of graduate programs from graduate diplomas through to doctoral studies.
-
ItemCadastral reform and the politics of land and geographic information systems( 1992)Historically in most countries the broad range of land administration activities have developed in isolation or at best with weak linkages. The information revolution has put major pressures on these historical institutional structures. This has been especially evident in the areas associated with the management of spatial information which incorporate cadastral, land and geographic information systems. The last decade has seen the growth of three major thrusts in both government and society which are having a profound impact on the future management of these land information systems. The first has been the growth of importance of environmental management; this will surely be the high profile issue in the 1990s as it was in the 1980s. Secondly is the growth in importance of the management of cities and urban areas in both the developed and developing world, as the importance of cities as the engines of economic growth is increasingly recognised. Lastly is the move by governments world wide to privatisation of public services. This has a major impact on the management of spatial data. The above developments are coming into conflict in a number of jurisdictions as governments grapple with the competing interests within a general move to an information society. The ensuing debate increases substantially as governments in both the developed and developing world often believe that modern information technology (IT) alone will solve many of the problems in managing our environment and our cities, while at the same time returning hundreds of millions of dollars in savings in government expenditure. While there is some truth in the value of IT in these areas, the benefits and savings will only be achieved after major political, institutional, educational and technological changes. The lessons and politics from Victoria over the last decade or more are a reminder to other countries and jurisdictions that it is essential to understand the broad dimension of the management of land and geographic information, and the pitfalls if the interests of all "players" are not taken into account and a global view of the management of all spatial data is not taken. Such an understanding of the political environment is essential if basic cadastral reforms are to be successful.
-
ItemUrban land information systems( 1992)The paper discusses the role of land information systems (LIS) in the management of cities; LIS in the urban context are defined, the reasons for having urban LIS are listed, the benefits of having urban LIS are discussed and problems of implementation are highlighted. The paper particularly highlights the importance of urban LIS to providing an acceptable quality of life which is derived to a large extent from an acceptable urban environment. In addition the paper considers the broader political and institutional environment for the establishment and operation of urban LIS.