Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications

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    Introduction (A national infrastructure for managing land information: research snapshot)
    RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; WILLIAMSON, IAN (Centre for Spatial Infrastructures, Land Administration, Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne., 2012)
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    Towards spatial enablement and beyond
    RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; COLEMAN, DAVID (GSDI Association Press, 2012)
    With the many challenges facing society today at multiple scales, location has emerged as a key facilitator in decision-making. Location data is now commonly regarded as the fourth driver in the decision-making process, complementing the more traditional triple bottom line approach (social, economic and environmental drivers). The location provides more intelligent data analysis due to improved analytical and visualisation capabilities. Additionally, initiatives like Gov 2.0 have provided a driver to increase responsiveness and service delivery capacity. As well as, recent technological developments, such as Web 2.0 and ubiquitous location based services, have made it easier for ordinary citizens and businesses to become spatially enabled, but just as importantly, these developments have provided them with tools to contribute to the flow of spatial information through all levels of society. In this context, the concept of Spatially Enabled Society (SES), is offering new opportunities for government and wider society in the use and development of spatial information, but it needs to move beyond the current tendency for the responsibility to achieve SES to lie solely with governments. SES will be more readily achieved by increasing involvement from the private sector, and in the same vein, if the spatial industries start to look toward other industries for best practices in service delivery. With this in mind, the theme of the GSDI 13 World Conference, Quebec 2012 is "Spatially Enabling Government, Industry and Citizens". Focusing on the journey we are on as professionals and researchers rather than just on objectives, it gives us a rich opportunity to examine how far we have come over the past twenty-plus years in terms of the infrastructure put in place, the applications but on top of that foundation, and our vision and expectations of what needs to be done next.
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    Developing and testing a 3D cadastral data model: a case study in Australia
    AIEN, ALI ; Kalantari, M. ; Rajabifard, A. ; Williamson, I. P. ; Shojaei, D. (ISPRS, 2012)
    Population growth, urbanization and industrialization place more pressure on land use with the need for increased space. To extend the use and functionality of the land, complex infrastructures are being built, both vertically and horizontally, layered and stacked. These three-dimensional (3D) developments affect the interests (Rights, Restrictions, and Responsibilities (RRRs)) attached to the underlying land. A 3D cadastre will assist in managing the effects of 3D development on a particular extent of land. There are many elements that contribute to developing a 3D cadastre, such as existing of 3D property legislations, 3D DBMS, 3D visualization. However, data modelling is one of the most important elements of a successful 3D cadastre. As architectural models of houses and high rise buildings help their users visualize the final product, 3D cadastre data model supports 3D cadastre users to understand the structure or behavior of the system and has a template that guides them to construct and implement the 3D cadastre. Many jurisdictions, organizations and software developers have built their own cadastral data model. Land Administration Domain Model (DIS-ISO 19152, The Netherlands) and ePlan (Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping, Australia) are examples of existing data models. The variation between these data models is the result of different attitudes towards cadastres. However, there is a basic common thread among them all. Current cadastral data models use a 2D land-parcel concept and extend it to support 3D requirements. These data models cannot adequately manage and represent the spatial extent of 3D RRRs. Most of the current cadastral data models have been influenced by a very broad understanding of 3D cadastral concepts because better clarity in what needs to be represented and analysed in the cadastre needs to be established. This paper presents the first version of a 3D Cadastral Data Model (3DCDM_Version 1.0). 3DCDM models both the legal and physical extent of 3D properties and associated interests. The data model extends the traditional cadastral requirements to cover other applications such as urban planning and land valuation and taxation. A demonstration of a test system on the proposed data model is also presented. The test is based on a case study in Victoria, Australia to evaluate the effectiveness of the data model.
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    An integrated Web-based 3D modeling and visualization platform to support sustainable cities
    AMIREBRAHIMI, SAM ; RAJABIFARD, ABBAS (ISPRS, 2012)
    Sustainable Development is found as the key solution to preserve the sustainability of cities in oppose to ongoing population growth and its negative impacts. This is complex and requires a holistic and multidisciplinary decision making. Variety of stakeholders with different backgrounds also needs to be considered and involved. Numerous web-based modeling and visualization tools have been designed and developed to support this process. There have been some success stories; however, majority failed to bring a comprehensive platform to support different aspects of sustainable development. In this work, in the context of SDI and Land Administration, CSDILA Platform – a 3D visualization and modeling platform – was proposed which can be used to model and visualize different dimensions to facilitate the achievement of sustainability, in particular, in urban context. The methodology involved the design of a generic framework for development of an analytical and visualization tool over the web. CSDILA Platform was then implemented via number of technologies based on the guidelines provided by the framework. The platform has a modular structure and uses Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). It is capable of managing spatial objects in a 4D data store and can flexibly incorporate a variety of developed models using the platform’s API. Development scenarios can be modeled and tested using the analysis and modeling component in the platform and the results are visualized in seamless 3D environment. The platform was further tested using number of scenarios and showed promising results and potentials to serve a wider need. In this paper, the design process of the generic framework, the implementation of CSDILA Platform and technologies used, and also findings and future research directions will be presented and discussed.
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    Advanced principles of 3D cadastral data modelling
    AIEN, ALI ; Kalantari, Mohsen ; RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; WILLIAMSON, IAN ; BENNETT, ROHAN (FIG, 2011)
    Current cadastral data models use a 2D land-parcel definition and extend it to cover 3D requirements. This approach cannot adequately manage and represent the spatial extent of 3D land rights, restrictions and responsibilities (3D RRRs). This paper aims to develop a 3D Cadastral Data Model (3DCDM) to configure 3D cadastral frameworks, manage and represent 3D RRRs, and facilitate 3D cadastre implementation. Three underlying principles have been proposed to develop the 3D Cadastral Data Model (3DCDM). These principles are: • Principle 1: The 2D cadastral data model is a sub-set of the 3D cadastral data model, • Principle 2: The 3D cadastral data model should not only accommodate 3D RRRs and their association with physical objects: the data model should also represent the spatial extent of 3D RRRs, and; • Principle 3: The 3D cadastre data model should cater for a broad range of land administration functions including land tenure, land value, land use, and land development with sufficient detail. These principles are used to assess and modify the core cadastral data model. Additionally, principles related to the legal property object are also used to modify the 3DCDM. The legal property object combines interests and its spatial dimension into a single entity. This creates more flexibility and enables inclusion of complex commodities and all kinds of RRRs. The first version of a 3D Cadastral Data Model (3CDM_Version 1.0) is provided at the end of this paper. 3DCDM maintains both legal and physical parts of 3D objects. The data model has wider application than the traditional requirements of cadastral systems: it is also usable in applications such as urban planning and disaster management.
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    Implementing spatially enabled government (SEG) concept in Indonesian local government, challenges and opportunities
    SUTANTA, HERI ; RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; Aditya, Trias (Aura, 2010)
    Most government decisions and action at national and local levels have a spatial component. Local government activities with spatial components include, but are not limited to, spatial planning, land management, taxation, and the issue of building and site permits. A framework for governing spatially related activities needs to be formulated. An emerging concept of Spatially Enabled Government (SEG) is currently being developed, refined and implemented in many countries. SEG will increase efficiency, transparency and accountability of government activities. This paper will discuss the SEG concept, its prospects and challenges when implemented in the context of Indonesian local government. Local government in this paper refers only to district (kabupaten/kota) level. The following data were used: survey on local government’s website and questionnaire. Of the 479 districts in Indonesia, official websites of 442 districts established after 2006 were surveyed. Questionnaires were sent out to 71 districts, with 34 responses being received. The questionnaire covered areas of organization, human resources and spatial data infrastructures (SDIs). It was designed to investigate the existing capacity and understanding of local government spatial governance, specifically at the local planning agency. Website surveys revealed that local government had limited interest in exploiting the virtually unlimited potential of internet for spatially-related government activities. SDI, as an enabling platform for data sharing and exchange among government agencies, has not been considered important. Comprehensive policies on spatially-related government programmes were limited. Finding from the questionnaires indicates that funding and qualification of human resources were the main responsible factors for this situation. Local governments have limited staffs with expertise in spatial data handling. Some recommendations to overcome the challenges and impediments are presented. Although there are challenges and impediments, SEG may still be implemented in local government provided some necessary conditions are met. Recent central government initiatives on national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI) and telecommunication infrastructure, which will be implemented in the near future, are essential to speed up the process of creating better spatial data governance in local government.
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    A mixed method approach for evaluating spatial data sharing partnerships for Spatial Data Infrastructure development
    MCDOUGALL, KEVIN ; RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; Williamson, Ian Philip (ESRI Press, Redlands, California., 2007)
    In recent years interjurisdictional partnerships have emerged as an importantmechanism for establishing an environment conducive to data sharing and hencethe facilitation of SDI development. However, unless the partnership arrangementsare carefully designed and managed to meet the business objectives of eachpartner, it is unlikely that they will be successful or sustainable in the longer term.The purpose of this paper is to focus on the methodological approaches and relevantissues for researching these new data sharing partnerships and their relationshipsto SDI development. This paper proposes a research methodology forinvestigating both the organisational context of data sharing partnerships andthe factors that contribute to the success of interjurisdictional data sharing initiatives.The paper examines past research and theory in spatial data sharingand examines the characteristics of a number of existing data sharing modelsand frameworks. The use of a mixed-method approach to evaluate local-stategovernment partnerships in Australia is described. Finally, the validationof the mixed-method approach and its generalisation to other SDI and datasharing initiatives is discussed.
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    SDI design to facilitate spatially enabled society
    RAJABIFARD, ABBAS (The University of Melbourne, 2007)
    The role that Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) initiatives are playing within society is changing. An SDI is a dynamic, hierarchic and multi-disciplinary concept that includes people, data, access networks, institutional policy, technical standards and human resource dimensions. SDIs were initially conceived as a mechanism to facilitate access and sharing of spatial data for use within a GIS environment. This was achieved through the use of a distributed network of data custodians and stakeholders in the spatial information community. Users however, now require the ability to gain access to precise spatial information in real time about real world objects, in order to support more effective cross-jurisdictional and inter-agency decision making in priority areas such as emergency management, disaster relief, natural resource management and water rights. The ability to gain access to information and services has moved well beyond the domain of single organisations, and SDIs now require an enabling platform to support the chaining of services across participating organisations.The ability to generate solutions to cross-jurisdictional issues has become a national priority for countries such as Australia as a federated state system and the development of effective decision-making tools is a major area of business for the spatial information industry. Much of the technology needed to create these solutions already exists; however, it also depends on an institutional and cultural willingness to share outside of ones immediate work group. This creates the need for jurisdictional governance and inter-agency collaborative arrangements to bring together both information and users to facilitate the realisation of spatially enabled society. This chapter outlines the role of SDI in creating more effective decision-making processes to deal with cross-jurisdictional issues through the creation of an enabling platform that links services and information across jurisdictions and organisations. The creation of an enabling platform will be more than just the representation of feature based structures of the world but will also include the administration and institutional aspects of such features, enabling both technical and institutional considerations to be incorporated into decision-making. The chapter also discusses the central role that SDIs are playing in the development of such an enabling platform to facilitate the vision of spatially enabled society. This would support a knowledge base to access information derived from a model of integrated datasets from different perspectives.
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    A Spatial Data Infrastructure for a spatially enabled government and society
    RAJABIFARD, ABBAS (Published jointly by Space for Geo-Information (RGI), Wageningen University and Centre for SDIs and Land Administration, Department of Geomatics, The University of Melbourne, 2008)
    Meeting sustainable development objectives is a complex and temporal process that involves multiple stakeholders. The creation of economic wealth, social stability and environmental protection can be achieved through developing products and services that are based on spatial information collected by all levels of government. These objectives can be facilitated by developing a spatially enabled government and society where spatial information is regarded as common goods made available to citizens and businesses to encourage creativity and product development. To do so requires data to be accessible and accurate, well-maintained and sufficiently reliable for use by the majority of society who are not spatially aware. With this in mind Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) are being developed by many countries as an enabling platform to improve access, sharing and to integrate spatial data and services. However there are still many challenges to overcome in order to have a fully functioning SDI and to guarantee the investment in its development. Furthermore, in order to deliver this SDI, there needs to be a mechanism of assessment that uses a set of agreed indicators to measure the progress of its development and delivery of its services. In this regard, the assessment of SDIs is an important component in any SDI design and development and needs to be part of an SDI support strategy. This assessment can help to better understand the issues, to find best practice for certain tasks and to also improve the system as a whole. This chapter aims to introduce and discuss various challenges and issues associated in re-engineering current SDI design to support the new vision of a spatially enabled government and society. It also discusses the central role that an SDI plays as the enabling platform. In order to support this, the chapter also discusses the importance of having an SDI assessment mechanism or strategy as part of the SDI to measure the success and delivery of SDI services aligned with the objectives of SDI development. The chapter then highlights a range of activities and processes to be created across all jurisdictional levels to facilitate SDI design and assessment, including aspects of its design, creation and the processes involved in its development, particularly governance of an SDI platform and the overall relations between different challenges and the SDI assessment process.
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    Evaluation and performance indicators to assess Spatial Data Infrastructure initiatives
    STEUDLER, DANIEL ; RAJABIFARD, ABBAS ; Williamson, Ian Philip (Published jointly by Space for Geo-Information (RGI), Wageningen University and Centre for SDIs and Land Administration, Department of Geomatics, The University of Melbourne, 2008)
    Many countries are developing Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) to improve access, sharing and the integration of spatial data and services. However the challenge of designing, building and managing an SDI draws on many different disciplines and requires the examination of a large number of factors and issues. In this regard, the comparison and evaluation of SDIs can help to better understand the issues, to find best practice for certain tasks and to improve the system as a whole. Evaluating and comparing public and private administration systems can be significant in terms of improving processes and institutional structures. The application of these principles to the development of SDIs will therefore come to play a crucial role in the management of our spatial data and that pertaining to the administration of our societies. This chapter therefore aims to introduce the role and value of evaluation and performance indicators for assessing and comparing SDIs by using experiences in the field of land administration systems. Evaluation involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, personnel, products and organisations to improve their effectiveness. The evaluation is about finding answers to questions such as 'are we doing the right thing' and 'are we doing things right'. These are prominent questions for SDIs, the development of which has been very dynamic over the last decade and has involved significant learning from other national or local initiatives. The commonalities between SDIs and the objectives of efficient and effective land administration systems provide strong grounds for deriving evaluation and performance indicators for SDIs from land administration principles. Key issues include sustaining a culture of sharing, establishing a common language and maintaining reliable financial support. To achieve this, the chapter first presents and discusses major classes of factors which influence, or contribute to, the development of an SDI initiative followed by a reviewing key components of land administration systems and SDIs. It is then proposed that a general evaluation framework which can be applied to SDI and its different components be developed before drawing some conclusions.