Analysing the costs and benefits of 3D cadastres with reference to Trinidad and Tobago

For developing and lower-income countries or jurisdictions, the proposal to establish a 3D cadastre must be supported by a discussion of the situational need and a cost–benefit analysis of the concept. The aim of this exercise is to determine the advisability for introducing a 3D cadastre in Trinidad and Tobago. An assessment is conducted to determine where the existence of a 3D cadastre would improve the activities that are now performed using the 2D cadastre. For this analysis, therefore, an assessment is made of the percentage of the area of the country where 3D rights exist, and are acknowledged and supported, and where 3D restrictions and responsibilities exist and are actively enforced, and the benefits of the use of the 3D cadastre to manage those rights. This is compared with the increases in costs that would come from introduction and maintenance of the 3D cadastre.This paper finds that there is an implied and an expressed need for a 3D cadastre in Trinidad and Tobago but that the optimum effectiveness of its introduction is largely isolated to the urban, densely populated areas and the oil mining areas. The cost/benefit analysis finds a positive benefit/cost ratio. Beyond the economically advisable outcome, the non-quantifiable benefits of introducing a 3D cadastre are several, and, therefore, the introduction of a 3D cadastre, in selected areas only, is recommended to optimise the use of resources. This paper adds to the literature by introducing a procedure that can be replicated in other resource scarce jurisdictions.

► A 3D cadastre can be instituted in selected areas of the country.
► There is a positive benefit/cost ratio to establishing a 3D cadastre.
► The non-quantifiable costs and benefits of establishing a 3D cadastre are important.