The Empowerment of Local Authorities

FIG Commission 3 on Spatial Information Management will organise a Workshop on The Empowerment of Local Authorities: Spatial Information and Spatial Planning Tools from 25^th to 28^th October 2011 in Paris, France. This workshop will be combined with the annual meeting of the commission. The aim of this workshop is to study the impact of spatial information and spatial planning tools on economic, social and environmental aspects of local authorities in general, and on the empowerment of local authorities in particular. The aim is also to investigate the international knowledge and practice on how surveyors may assist real estate markets, good governance, environmental management and planning initiatives by providing reliable spatial and relevant infrastructures. Tools are needed by local authorities as a basis for their vitality and ‘openness to change'. Sub topics include: Land management tools; reliable spatial data infrastructures for provision of information about real estate relevant to ownership rights, value, land-use regulations and land development procedures in supporting efficient decision-making; new land tools and policies to attract investment, optimise real property taxation, support valuation, provide tools for affordable housing and financing, and for the support of real estate markets. Further subtopics are: Community based data collection; 3D modelling of urban environment using SDI; harmonisation and integration of spatial data; e-Government and business models.

Venue: Ordre des Géomètres, 40, Avenue Hoche, F-75008 Paris, France

Website: http://bit.ly/figcom3-paris2011

CADASTRE 2.0

FIG Commission 7 on Cadastre and Land Management will organise a one day international symposium on the future of Cadastres: Cadastre 2.0. This important symposium will be organised on 30^th September 2011 and the symposium will be combined with the annual meeting of the Commission.

The topic ‘Cadastre 2.0' is about a long-term forward vision and will cause a number of discussions among professionals and will probably start some thinking on how to involve stakeholders, including citizens and shareholders, directly in business and maintenance models of cadastral systems as well as what role social media can play in the future of our profession. Speakers will be from outside of the community and there will also be presentations by the IT-sector and from authorities specialised in e-participation and e-government.

Venue: Grillhof Seminar Centre in Innsbruck - Vill, Grillhofweg 100, Austria

Website: sites.google.com/site/figsymposium2011

REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF HYDROGRAPHY

FIG Commission 4 on Hydrography has prepared a report to bring awareness and promote the role of hydrography as an essential investment in economic development. This FIG publication no. 57 provides a snapshot of the workgroup's efforts from various conferences and symposia to stimulate thought and exchange ideas in this regard. The publication Report on the Economic Benefits of Hydrography has been published in the FIG report series and is only available on the web.