A flat country in 3D

A good three dimensional (3D) map can help tackle these problems. Over the years, a lot of research has been conducted to create a 3D map, and in 2013 a point data set – (Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland 2, an second version of the digital contour map of current heights in all of the Netherlands) – will be available describing the shape of the entire country quite accurately (ten points per square meter). 3D information is also becoming essential for managing our densely built environment, says Dr Jantien Stoter. According to this geo-information specialist of OTB Research Institute, it was about time to establish a 3D standard to further stimulate 3D developments in practice. The researcher leads a project which resulted in just that. 

“Governmental organizations are already obliged to acquire 2D data according to a common data model, so that others can reuse the information,” Stoter explains. “The new standard allows us to extend this information into 3D in a common approach. This can be done by integrating the 2D information with the ‘Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland’ data, which is still only a cloud of data points.” Rijkswaterstaat has shown interest in this ‘Delft’ approach and recently signed an agreement to collaborate.

Stoter believes that in the near future 3D maps can continuously be improved and updated, if more parties abide to the standard, greatly facilitating urban planning, water management and infrastructural works.



She explains with an example: “Municipalities have regulations on maximum heights of buildings, in order to avoid too much shadow on other buildings. Currently the rules need to be checked by human interpretation. This is both time-consuming and subjective. Instead, if municipalities, architects and real estate developers use the same mapping standard, sharing their information could result in very accurate 3D maps in which you can simply introduce a new building and test if it fulfills the municipal regulations.”



“Similarly you can investigate how noise, air and pollution propagate through the newly built environment,” says Stoter, who has helped smoothen the way for a more flexible 3D world. 

De hoogleraren wezen erop dat het kabinet zegt de kenniseconomie te willen bevorderen, maar dat de praktijk van de bezuinigingen daar haaks op staat.

Staatssecretaris Halbe Zijlstra van OCW verdedigde de maatregel tegenover de studenten met het argument dat de boetes helpen om het begrotingstekort te beperken en dat studenten daar later baat bij zouden hebben, en dat het kabinet geld vrij wil maken om te investeren in het hoger onderwijs.