Interoperable domain models: the ISO land administration domain model LADM and its external classes

Abstract

This paper provides a brief overview of one of the first spatial domain standards: a standard for the domain of Land Administration (LA). This standard is in the draft stage of development now (May 2011). The development of domain standards is a logical follow up after domain-independent standards, which are available now in the area of geo-information processing. The Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) provides a conceptual schema with three basic packages with a limited scope: parties, rights (and restrictions/responsibilities) and spatial units. Certain classes are outside the scope but can be referred to. An important aspect in the development of a coherent (Spatial) Information Infrastructures – (S)II is that the various standardized domain models are reusing the same model patterns as solutions for the same situations. In this paper the LADM and its external classes are briefly presented. It outlines the advantages of standardized domain models in the development of (S)II and the importance of LA as an authentic register, in relation to other authentic registers, such as for addresses, population, companies, topography, or buildings. This will be illustrated with the Dutch case of authentic registers.