Official surveying in Switzerland gets a new strategy until 2040
Switzerland is getting a new strategy for its official surveying. This should contribute to greater reliability, accessibility and usability of official geodata. For example, new technologies such as artificial intelligence and 3D modelling are to be integrated into the land registry.
The institutions involved in Switzerland’s official surveying have defined a new strategic direction for the period up to 2040. According to a statement by the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo, the federal government, cantons, municipalities and the institutions responsible for updating the data are placing users at the heart of the system. Swisstopo will coordinate the implementation of the new strategy.
According to the information provided, it aims to ensure a “more transparent, up-to-date and usable official surveying system for society as a whole”. This will create legal certainty, for example in decisions relating to spatial planning. In addition, the new system is intended to guarantee and improve the protection of property rights through the land register and to support innovation and sound planning in the future.
The strategic vision also envisages the integration of new technologies, in particular artificial intelligence and three-dimensional modelling. For example, 3D views can replace two-dimensional division plans for condominiums. Height restrictions can also be taken into account more reliably when it comes to rights of way or passage, for example.
In addition, these technologies also allow the documentation of past events. This can be crucial in disputes or when assessing the legal situation. “The new vision,” according to swisstopo, “aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and the use of data by all stakeholders – citizens, surveyors, GIS specialists, public administrations, companies and research institutions.” GIS refers to geographic information systems.