Jul 2026· ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences· Vol XI-1-2026, pp. 321-328· 0 citations· 12 references
Abstract
Abstract. The rapid evolution of three-dimensional (3-D) geospatial science has redefined the standards of national mapping and cadastral agencies (NMCAs). Traditionally bodies of authoritative 2-D topographic products, these organisations now face the challenge of producing, maintaining, and disseminating national-scale 3-D geospatial datasets that support applications ranging from climate adaptation and urban planning to disaster response and digital twins. This paper presents a comparative study of five NMCAs, comprising IGN (France), BKG (Germany), Kadaster (The Netherlands), GSI (Japan) and USGS (United States of America). By examining agency structure, economic models, and 3-D data collection programmes, this paper identifies converging trends in AI integration, national surveys, along with divergences in funding and implementation. The analysis highlights insights and potential lessons for organisations at early stages of national 3-D dataset implementation.
Geomorphological studies conducted by the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB-CPRM) have evolved since the 1970s, with significant methodological advances over the past two decades in institutional projects. In this context, multiscale mapping of landform patterns has become established as a fundamental approach to terrain characterization and support for territorial planning. Based on the integrated interpretation of remote sensing data, including satellite imagery, drone-derived products, and field validation, the proposed methodology enables landforms to be identified and spatially organized according to their morphology, morphometry, genesis, dynamics, and geological controls at different scales. This article presents the methodological evolution and institutional applications of this approach within the SGB-CPRM, based on a literature review and the experience accumulated through geomorphological mapping projects conducted in different regions of Brazil. The methodology evolved from exploratory surveys at a scale of 1:1,000,000 to progressively more detailed analyses at scales of 1:100,000, 1:25,000, and 1:10,000, enhancing the capacity to represent geomorphological features and processes and their application in studies of geodiversity, susceptibility to natural processes, geotechnics, and municipal geomorphological mapping. As a result of this trajectory, the Multiscale Landform Pattern Library was developed, serving simultaneously as a methodological framework for institutional mapping and as a technical and scientific reference for researchers and professionals in the field. The results demonstrate that this approach produces standardized and consistent geospatial information, constituting an effective tool for territorial planning, environmental management, and disaster risk reduction.
Maria Adelaide Maia, M. Dantas, A. Lacerda et al.· Journal of the Geological Su...· 0 citations
Abstract. National Mapping Agencies (NMAs) have traditionally mapped their respective countries in two dimensions, taking inherently three-dimensional information and generalizing it into a flat projection plane. While some NMAs have moved completely to a three dimensional data model, many are still working in 2D, often augmented by height attributes which bring the data slightly closer to a 3D model of the world. As data capture, data processing and data analytics systems and software have evolved, it is now easier than it has ever been to collect, view and process 3D data. National Mapping Agencies have acknowledged this by moving towards 3D geospatial data models, although the approach taken, and the type of 3D data provided to users, varies between different countries. This paper describes the current position of Ordnance Survey, Britain’s national mapping agency, as it develops prototype 3D products. It describes the technical methods used to create a 3D product together with the business methods used to test the market, understand the customer, and provide a product that is both technically feasible to produce and financially viable to create and market to customers.
David Holland, James Gillespie, Christopher B. Heap· The International Archives o...· 0 citations
Abstract. The CO3D mission, launched in July 2025, aims to reconstruct the Earth’s continental surfaces in 3D. Assessing the quality of the resulting digital surface model requires an inter elevation data comparison tool, leading CNES to collaborate with the GlacioHack collective and join the governance of their open-source software xDEM. Originally developed for glacier research, xDEM offered valuable features for 3D data analysis, including 3D coregistration and uncertainty analysis. Recognizing its potential, CNES strategically chose to contribute to xDEM rather than maintain its own tool, demcompare. The main contributions include improvements in scalability, visualization, and ease of use. This collaboration has created a more robust tool that benefits both the CO3D mission and the broader scientific community. By combining resources and expertise, the project demonstrates how open-source development can drive innovation while reducing duplication of effort.
Valentine Bellet, R. Hugonnet, Amaury Dehecq et al.· The International Archives o...· 0 citations
The World Programme for the Census of Agriculture 2030 (WCA 2030) marks a paradigm shift in how countries design and implement agricultural censuses. It explicitly encourages the integration of Earth Observation (EO) and geospatial data to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and comparability. This paper presents a methodological synthesis of how EO can be embedded across the census cycle—from the preparation of geospatial reference layers and georeferencing of holdings to validation and area estimation. Drawing on lessons from FAO's EOSTAT programme, the UN Handbook of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, and innovative examples such as Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics's (IBGE) AI-based parcel delineation in Brazil, this article illustrates practical pathways for operationalization. The analysis emphasizes institutional readiness, quality assurance, and emerging AI-based approaches that enable scalable, cost-effective census operations aligned with WCA 2030 standards.
Lorenzo de Simone, J. Castano· Statistical Journal of the I...· 0 citations
This paper concludes that this long-term collaboration represents a model for interdisciplinary research, in which technological innovation is driven by archaeological needs and contributes to both scientific knowledge and heritage management.
M. Abadía· مجلة الشارقة للدراسات الأثري...· 0 citations
We present a new geospatial dataset that describes both the extent and depth of inundation in the United States and outlying territories under global scenarios of sea-level rise. This new dataset incorporates projections from the 2022 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) technical report: Global and Regional Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States and integrates elements from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Sea-Level Rise Calculator. It provides users with intuitive access to relevant GIS data layers, enabling detailed analysis and visualization of potential scenario-based changes in mean sea level due to sea-level rise. This paper outlines the methodology, processing steps, and data validation involved in the dataset development, emphasizing the steps taken to further tailor information from the NOAA technical report to enhance the utility for spatial adaptation planning. These new geospatial datasets can provide critical insight for policymakers, researchers, planners, and others concerned with adapting to sea-level rise in coastal areas.
Matthew A. Konfirst, Chris Feinman, P. Morefield· Scientific Data· 0 citations