A Semantic Web data model used for cadastre information

overview
Figure 1. An overview of this model

1. Metadata

IRI

https://linked.data.gov.au/def/cad

Preferred Label

Cadastre Model

Definition

A Semantic Web data model of cadastre information. It caters specifically for Queensland’s data management needs.

Created

2023-05-11

Modified

2023-06-07

Issued

0000-00-00 - not formally issued yet

Creator

Nicholas J. Car

Publisher

Queensland Spatial Information

Provenance

This model was made for Queensland Spatial Information, a unit of the Queensland Department of Resources, to assist with their future address and roads database design. It is a Component Model of their 'QSI Supermodel' which includes models for Address, Geographical Names and Cadastral information which are all designed to work together, however they may all be used independently too.

Status

Beta version

Version

cad:0.0.1

Code Repository

https://github.com/Spatial-Information-QLD/cadastre-model

License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Copyright

© The State of Queensland (Department of Resources) 2020-2023

Machine-readable form (RDF)

https://linked.data.gov.au/def/cad.ttl

2. Preamble

2.1. Abstract

A Semantic Web data model of cadastre information. It caters specifically for Queensland’s data management needs.

Note
 This model was made for Queensland Spatial Information, a unit of the Queensland Department of Resources, to assist with their future address and roads database design. It is a Component Model of their 'QSI Supermodel' which includes models for Address, Geographical Names and Cadastral information which are all designed to work together, however they may all be used independently too.

2.2. Namespaces

This model is built on a small set of well-regarded Semantic Web models which use a variety of namespaces. Prefixes for this namespaces, used throughout this document, are listed below.

Prefix Namespace Description

cad

https://linked.data.gov.au/def/cad/

Namespace for this model

cadint

https://linked.data.gov.au/def/cadint/

Namespace for the Cadastral Interests vocabulary

dcterms

http://purl.org/dc/terms/

Dublin Core Terms namespace

ex

http://example.com/

Generic examples namespace

geo

http://www.opengis.net/ont/geosparql#

OGC GeoSPARQL model namespace

owl

http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#

Web Ontology Language ontology namespace

rdfs

http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#

RDF Schema ontology namespace

skos

http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#

Simple Knowledge Organization System (SKOS) ontology namespace

time

http://www.w3.org/2006/time#

Time Ontology in OWL namespace

void

http://rdfs.org/ns/void#

Vocabulary of Interlinked Data (VoID) ontology namespace

xsd

http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#

XML Schema Definitions ontology namespace

2.3. Conformance

This model conforms to the OntPub Profile which is a specification for ontology publication that mandates certain structural and metadata properties for the model as a whole and model elements. Metadata elements for the model as a whole - the ontology - are given in the Metadata section above.

2.3.1. Figures

Figures used in this document use the following key:

key
Figure 2. Key of elements used in this Model’s figures

2.3.2. Example Data

Example Data used in this document, for instance in model element "Example" values, are RDF data in the Turtle syntax.

3. Introduction

This model presents only a very basic class hierarchy for cadastral objects, Parcels and Parcel Aggregates, both of which it inherits from the ICSM Conceptual Model for 3D Cadastral Survey Dataset Submissions (CSDM) [CSDM]. That model, in turn, inherits basic spatial object classes and their relationships from [GEO]: Features, Feature Collections and Geometries, all of which are specialised forms of Spatial Object.

3.1. Major Modelling Principles

Major modelling principles present in this model are:

  1. Overlapping and non-overlapping Parcels

  2. 3D Parcels

  3. Parcel Aggregates and Properties

3.1.1. Overlapping and non-overlapping Parcels

All the area of the State of Queensland is, in theory, covered by a single layer of contiguous, non-overlapping, parcels which are called Base Parcels and of which there are various types:

  • Lot, Road, Water and the edge case Interstate

These parcels MAY NOT have an overlaps relationship, declared or calculated, that indicates another Base Parcel.

All types of Non-Base Parcel, MUST overlap one or more Base Parcel. The subtypes of Non-Base Parcel are:

  • Building, Easement and Interest

3.1.2. 3D Parcels

Being described in 3-dimensions is a possible attribute of any type of Parcel, thus there is no 3D or Volumetric parcel directly.

3.1.3. Parcel Aggregates and Properties

Parcel Aggregates are special kinds of Feature Collections whose spatial projection - their Geometry - is the union of the Parcels that are members of collection.

Property is a special kind of Parcel Aggregate, some forms of which may be required to have their constituent Parcels touching one another. Other types may not have this restriction.

3.2. Sources of Requirements

This model was initially built to represent the various types of cadastral parcel proposed for use in Queensland’s updated cadastral maintenance environment as designed in 2022-2023.

Overarching objects for this model are to:

  • be a system-independent (conceptual/logical) expression of Queensland’s cadastral data model

  • allow for the integration of cadastral information with feature labelling information, such as addressing, feature naming and road naming

  • act as a candidate (inter)national cadastral data model for Australia & New Zealand, should ANZ move to a harmonised model

  • allow for interoperability with other major spatial data initiatives in Australia, in particular the FSDF Supermodel [FSDFSM].

Detailed requirements for this model all stem from these top-level requirements. The individual requirements are listed in the Requirements section.

3.3. Model resources

This document is this model’s "Specification" which is its authoritative, human-readable, definition document. This model also contains other resources with other roles:

Resource Role Notes

Ontology

Schema

The technical, machine-readable, version of this model

Supporting Vocabularies

Vocabulary

The codelist vocabularies developed for this model and links to others defined elsewhere but used by this model

Requirements Section

Guidance

The Requirements addressed by this model

Validation Section & SHACL Validator

Validation

The machine-readable validator file used to validate data claiming conformance to this model

Examples Section & Extended example data files

Example

Examples of data conforming, and some not conforming, to this model

Code Repository

Code Repository

The online, version control, repository containing all the resources of this model

Data made according to this model, when stored in one of the RDF [RDF] serialization formats such as Turtle [TTL], is directly validatable according to this model through use of validators that are supplied, see Section Validation.

All examples, including all given examples within the Model and Examples sections, are presented in Turtle [TTL].

4. Model

This model is composed of Web Ontology Language (OWL) [OWL] Classes and Properties. While some properties may be restricted in their use to various classes, the Classes and Properties are actually defined individually and both are "first class model citizens", with global identity, that can be used in isolation and together. This is in contrast to Unified Modelling Language (UML) Class Diagrams which treat Properties as sub-parts of particular classes.

This model defines some Classes and Properties and also requires certain existing Cs & Ps for reuse. All Cs & Ps in this model, both defined and reused, are listed here with an indication of where the element is defined given in the Is Defined By field.

4.1. Classes

The Classes within this model form a single Class Hierarchy with Spatial Object as the root class. The top-level classes of Spatial Object, Feature, Feature Collection and Geometry are all inherited from [GEO] and used here unchanged.

4.1.1. Spatial Object

Property Value

IRI

geo:SpatialObject

Preferred Label

Spatial Object

Definition

Anything spatial (being or having a shape, position or an extent)

Is Defined By

[GEO]

Scope Note

This class is not expected to be instantiated directly through use of this model

Example

 
ex:so-1
    a geo:SpatialObject ;
.

4.1.2. Feature

Property Value

IRI

geo:Feature

Preferred Label

Feature

Definition

A discrete spatial phenomenon in a universe of discourse

Is Defined By

[GEO]

Sub-class Of

Spatial Object

Scope Note

This class is not expected to be instantiated directly through use of this model

Example

 
ex:f-1
    a geo:Feature ;
.

4.1.3. Parcel

Property Value

IRI

csdm:Parcel

Preferred Label

Parcel

Definition

A single or multi area, or solid, above, or below the surface of the earth as specified through legislated process. The extent of a cadastral parcel can be described by a surface or solid and topological relationships with other parcels

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Feature

Scope Note

This class is not expected to be instantiated directly through use of this model, instead specialised forms of it (subclasses) are

Example

 
ex:p-1
    a csdm:Parcel ;
.

4.1.4. Base Parcel

Property Value

IRI

cad:BaseParcel

Preferred Label

Base Parcel

Definition

A Parcel which may not overlap other instances of the same class

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Parcel

Scope Note

This class is not expected to be instantiated directly through use of this model, instead specialised forms of it (subclasses) are

Example

 
ex:bp-1
    a cad:Parcel ;
.

4.1.5. Lot Parcel

Property Value

IRI

cad:LotParcel

Preferred Label

Lot Parcel

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Base Parcel

Example

 
ex:lp-1
    a cad:LotParcel ;
    geo:sfTouches
        ex:lp-a ,
        ex:lp-b ,
        ex:lp-c ;
    geo:hasGeometry [
        a geo:Geometry ;
        geo:asWKT "POLYGON (( ...cordinates... ))"^^geo:wktLiteral ;
    ] ;
.

4.1.6. Road Parcel

Property Value

IRI

cad:RoadParcel

Preferred Label

Road Parcel

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Base Parcel

Example

4.1.7. Intersection Parcel

Property Value

IRI

cad:IntersectionParcel

Preferred Label

Intersection Parcel

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Road Parcel

Example

4.1.8. Transport Route Parcel

Property Value

IRI

cad:TransportRouteParcel

Preferred Label

Transport Route Parcel

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Road Parcel

Example

4.1.9. Water Parcel

Property Value

IRI

cad:WaterParcel

Preferred Label

Water Parcel

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Base Parcel

Example

4.1.10. Non-Base Parcel

Property Value

IRI

cad:NonBaseParcel

Preferred Label

Non-Base Parcel

Definition

A Parcel that must overlap one or more instances of Base Parcel

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Parcel

Expected Properties

overlaps

Scope Note

This class is not expected to be instantiated directly through use of this model, instead specialised forms of it (subclasses) are

Example

4.1.11. Easement Parcel

Property Value

IRI

cad:StrataParcel

Preferred Label

Easement Parcel

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Non-Base Parcel

Example

4.1.12. Interest Parcel

Property Value

IRI

cad:InterestParcel

Preferred Label

Interest Parcel

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Non-Base Parcel

Example

4.1.13. Feature Collection

Property Value

IRI

geo:FeatureCollection

Preferred Label

Feature Collection

Definition

A collection of individual Features

Is Defined By

[GEO]

Sub-class Of

Spatial Object

Expected Properties

member

Scope Note

This class is not expected to be instantiated directly through use of this model

Example

4.1.14. Parcel Aggregate

Property Value

IRI

csdm:ParcelAggregate

Preferred Label

Parcel Aggregate

Definition

A parcel aggregate is a collection of parcels whose collective extent may be described as a spatial unit

Is Defined By

[CSDM]

Sub-class Of

Feature Collection

Scope Note

This class is not expected to be instantiated directly through use of this model

Example

4.1.15. Property

Property Value

IRI

cad:Property

Preferred Label

Property

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Parcel Aggregate

Scope Note

This class is not expected to be instantiated directly through use of this model, instead specialised forms of it (subclasses) are

Example

4.1.16. Addressable Property

Property Value

IRI

cad:AddressableProperty

Preferred Label

Addressable Property

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Property

Example

4.1.17. Rural Property

Property Value

IRI

cad:RuralProperty

Preferred Label

Rural Property

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Property

Example

4.1.18. Title Property

Property Value

IRI

cad:TitleProperty

Preferred Label

Title Property

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Property

Example

4.1.19. Valuation Property

Property Value

IRI

cad:ValuationProperty

Preferred Label

Valuation Property

Definition

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Property

Example

4.1.20. Water Feature

Property Value

IRI

cad:WaterFeature

Preferred Label

Water Feature

Definition

An aggregation of Water Parcels used to indicate the area of a water feature

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Parcel Aggregate

Example

4.1.21. Road

Property Value

IRI

cad:Road

Preferred Label

Road

Definition

An aggregation of Road Parcels, including Intersection and Transport Route Parcels, used to indicate the area of road

Is Defined By

This Model

Sub-class Of

Parcel Aggregate

Example

4.1.22. Geometry

Property Value

IRI

geo:Geometry

Preferred Label

Geometry

Definition

Is Defined By

[GEO]

Sub-class Of

Spatial Object

Example

4.2. Properties

4.2.1. member

Property Value

IRI

rdfs:member

Preferred Label

member

Definition

A member of the subject resource

Is Defined By

[RDFS]

Example

4.2.2. has geometry

Property Value

IRI

geo:hasGeometry

Preferred Label

has geometry

Definition

A spatial representation for a given Feature

Is Defined By

[GEO]

Example

4.2.3. overlaps

Property Value

IRI

geo:sfOverlaps

Preferred Label

overlaps

Definition

Simple Features [ISO19125-1] topological relation "overlaps"

Is Defined By

[GEO]

Example

5. Supporting Vocabularies

This model depends on several vocabularies to give specific values to properties.

5.1. Cadastral Interests

This vocabulary is…​

IRI Name Description Status Usage directive

cadint:x

X

Xxx

original

Use

This vocabulary is available in machine-readable form at https://linked.data.gov.au/def/cadint.

6. Requirements

Here are the itemised Requirements referenced in the Sources of Requirements subsection of the Introduction and note for them on how this model satisfies them.

6.1. Requirements List

ID Name Description

Req01

MUST be presented as a system-independent expression of Queensland’s cadastral data model

This model must be presented at the conceptual/logical levels and not be dependent on a particular (physical) implementation

Req02

MUST allow for the integration of cadastral information with feature labelling information, such as addressing, feature naming and road naming

This model defines spatial object classes and names may be applied to objects in those classes. This model must provide classing and/or other properties that allow feature naming to be assigned to objects and for the assignment to be validatable

Req03

MUST act as a candidate (inter)national cadastral data model for Australia & New Zealand, should ANZ move to a harmonised model

This model must be generic enough, andor extensible enough, to be likely able to cater for other ANZ jurisdictions' parcel types

Req04

MUST allow for interoperability with other major spatial data initiatives in Australia, in particular the FSDF Supermodel [FSDFSM]

This model must show how it is conformant to other initiatives, in particular the [FSDFSM]

7. Validation

This section will be completed when Business Rules for Road Labels are determined - etc. June, 2023

8. Examples

Blah…​

Bibliography

  • [CONNEGP] World Wide Web Consortium, Content Negotiation by Profile, W3C Working Draft (20 March 2022). https://w3c.github.io/dx-connegp/connegp/

  • [CSDM] Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying & Mapping (ICSM), ICSM Conceptual Model for 3D Cadastral Survey Dataset Submissions (CSDM), Semantic Web data model (2022). https://linked.data.gov.au/def/csdm

  • [FLM] The State of Queensland (Department of Resources). Feature Labelling Model. Semantic Web data model (2023). https://linked.data.gov.au/def/fl

  • [FSDFSM] Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying & Mapping (ICSM), FSDF Supermodel. Semantic Web data model (2022) https://linked.data.gov.au/def/fsdf-supermodel

  • [GEO] Open Geospatial Consortium, OGC GeoSPARQL - A Geographic Query Language for RDF Data, Version 1.1 (2021). OGC Implementation Specification. http://www.opengis.net/doc/IS/geosparql/1.1

  • [ISO-IEC-14977] International Organization for Standardization, ISO/IEC 14977 : 1996(E): Extended Backus–Naur form. International Organization for Standardization (1996). https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-14977.pdf

  • [ISO19101-1] International Organization for Standardization, ISO 19101-1:2014 Geographic information — Reference model — Part 1: Fundamentals (2014)

  • [ISO19125-1] International Organization for Standardization, ISO 19125-1: Geographic information — Simple Feature Access - Part 1: Common Architecture (2004)

  • [ISO19156] International Organization for Standardization, ISO 19156: Geographic information — Observations and measurements (2011)

  • [ISO19160-1] International Organization for Standardization, ISO 19160-1: Addressing Part 1: Conceptual model (2015). https://www.iso.org/standard/61710.html

  • [OWL] World Wide Web Consortium, OWL 2 Web Ontology Language Document Overview (Second Edition), W3C Recommendation (11 December 2012). https://www.w3.org/TR/owl2-overview/

  • [PROF] World Wide Web Consortium, The Profiles Vocabulary, W3C Working Group Note (18 December 2019). https://www.w3.org/TR/dx-prof/

  • [PROV] World Wide Web Consortium, The Profiles Vocabulary, W3C Working Group Note (18 December 2019). https://www.w3.org/TR/dx-prof/

  • [RDF] World Wide Web Consortium, RDF 1.2 Concepts and Abstract Syntax, W3C Recommendation (02 June 2023). https://www.w3.org/TR/rdf12-concepts/

  • [RDFS] World Wide Web Consortium, RDF 1.2 Schema, W3C Recommendation (16 May 2023). https://www.w3.org/TR/rdf12-schema/

  • [SDO] W3C Schema.org Community Group, schema.org. Community ontology (2015). https://schema.org

  • [SSN] World Wide Web Consortium, Semantic Sensor Network Ontology, W3C Recommendation (19 October 2017). https://www.w3.org/TR/vocab-ssn/

  • [SKOS] World Wide Web Consortium, SKOS Simple Knowledge Organization System Reference, W3C Recommendation (18 August 2009). https://www.w3.org/TR/skos-reference/

  • [TTL] World Wide Web Consortium, RDF 1.1 Turtle Terse RDF Triple Language, W3C Recommendation (25 February 2014). https://www.w3.org/TR/turtle/