Application of BIM/IFC in 3D cadastre: a case study of China

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) cadastral technology overcomes the technical bottleneck of traditional two-dimensional (2D) technology for managing condominium property rights, and provides an effective technology for the three-dimensional utilization and management of urban land space. However, current 3D cadastral models primarily emphasize geometric representation but often lack the semantic and legal granularity necessary to address ownership disputes in multi-owner buildings. Therefore, this study introduces a semantic-based, multi-level-of-detail building information modeling (BIM) framework that extends the industry foundation classes (IFC) standard to incorporate legal constructs such as ownership boundaries and rights, responsibilities, and restrictions (RRRs). By embedding legal semantics into the BIM environment, the proposed framework enables the spatialization and visualization of legal ambiguities that typically underlie condominium conflicts. A case study from China is employed to validate the framework’s applicability, demonstrating how legal causes of disputes can be effectively translated into semantic, geometric, and attribute data. This integration facilitates more informed decision-making and enhances the capacity of 3D cadastral systems to support property rights governance and dispute resolution.