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As urbanisation accelerates, the urban landscape reshapes at a fast pace. Consequently, the urban built environment continuously evolves horizontally as well as vertically. However, more attention in the field of spatial analysis is given to horizontal dynamics, despite the importance of geoinformation in the vertical dimension. 3D modelling methods have gained popularity due to their powerful capability of capturing and analysing geoinformation in the vertical dimension and visualising objects lifelike in the urban built environment. Various urban applications with diverse 3D modelling methods at different research scales and purposes have emerged. However, there is no systematic overview of these different modelling methods. Therefore, it is imperative to provide an up-to-date review of these advances. In this paper, we aim to review urban 3D modelling methods widely used in the prior 5-year period (2015–2020). Our analysis focuses on five attributes, i.e., basic characteristics, data requirements, technical requirements, users requirements and ethical considerations. The discussion presents the current status of 3D modelling methods – a wide range of applications yet with substantial development potential. This paper closes with insights for future work regarding the necessities of 3D data structure support as well as interdisciplinary research, specifically for big data management and integration.

This paper presents our contribution to the development of a standardized 3D input data model for solar photovoltaic potential estimation. Presently, different input data and processing steps influence the calculation for estimating the potential of solar energy in the Netherlands. The variety in characteristics of input data and issues with temporal accuracy extracted from the national registers and databases makes it challenging to obtain a consistent and reliable result. To address this issue, we created a point cloud dataset that integrated from LiDAR point cloud and dense image matching which is complete, recent and positionally accurate. Furthermore, we made a 3D building model from the integrated point cloud and identified the effect of finer resolution in the photovoltaic potential analysis.

With the rapid urbanization and the dynamics in land transactions, Turkish cadastre, as in many other countries, is facing challenges in the daily recording of sales, donations, taxations, and mortgages on land. Especially with the modern constructions and complex interrelationships of rights, restrictions, and responsibilities (RRR), the third dimension should not be forgotten. In this context, the design of a new cadastre data model for Turkey is essential. Inspired by this need, with this study, we aim in proposing a new cadastre model based on international standards such as Land Administration Data Model (LADM) and CityGML. LADM represents the legal and administrative aspects of the cadastral objects but does not show the semantic and 3D geometrical representation of physical cadastral objects which are required for the process of 3D cadastre. Therefore, in the paper, we propose an Application Domain Extension (ADE) for the cadastral objects that expands the integration of LADM and CityGML data model with the legal and administrative concepts defined in the Turkish Law. The study presents a detailed overview of the Turkish legal cadastre system and a proposal for its physical realization based on international standards. In addition, the developed ADE is also valuable for cadastral services undertaken by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (GDLRC). It could also be used as a basis of a 3D national data standard for cadastral information systems.

Point clouds serve as the raw material for various models, such as Building Information Models (BIM). In this work, we investigate the reconstruction steps needed to create models that can be utilized directly for agent-based simulations. The input data for the reconstruction is captured with an indoor mobile mapping system. To show the prominence of this idea, we run social distancing and evacuation simulations on the reconstructed models. The simulations are run with multiple agents using a vision-based pedestrian model and A∗-based path finding algorithm. The limitations of this approach are discussed. The video of the simulation is shared with the audience. Link to the video: https://youtu.be/r2D3IxXt7Ls

© 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group E-learning has been touted as a new phenomenon and formidable frontier of education, offering tremendous benefits to teachers, learners and educational administrators. However, despite the adoption of e-learning in many educational institutions worldwide, to enhancing teaching and learning experience, delivery of construction measurement courses has been limited to traditional lecture approach and the use of little technology such as PowerPoint. Therefore, this study investigates learners’ satisfaction, benefits, and the usefulness of e-learning approach, relative to instructional videos. A total of 76 undergraduate construction students were surveyed using a closed and open-ended questionnaire in one of the universities in Hong Kong. The results showed that students were satisfied with design and content of the instruction videos. Students also considered e-learning approach useful because it allows them to control their pace, time and location for learning. Learners prefer blended learning, i.e. a combination of e-learning (at 41%) and traditional face-to-face method (at 59%). The participants opined that blended learning has more significant benefits in delivering measurement course. The results of this study should assist educators in structuring blended learning approach.

International audience; Forest biodiversity assessment relies mostly on indirect indicators based on elements of forest structure used as a surrogate for species. However, most of those indirect indicators used in national and international evaluation processes lack scientific evidence documenting their quantitative link with the biodiversity they are supposed to assess. In addition, those for which the link is established generally concern only one taxon and are rarely considered at the community level. In this context, tree microhabitats – defined as tree-borne singularities such as cavities, conks of fungi or bark characteristics – have recently gained attention as a potential forest biodiversity indicator for species that depend on them for at least a part of their life cycle and that are difficult to detect. However, like most other potential indicators, precise quantitative information on the link between biodiversity indices and microhabitat variables remains scarce. We explored the link between the richness of three taxonomic groups (bats, birds, and saproxylic beetles) and microhabitat indices using a nation-wide multi-taxonomic sampling design comparing 213 plots located inside and outside forest reserves. We hypothesized that the positive effect of setting aside forest reserves on biodiversity conservation was indirectly due to the increase in the proportion of large structural elements (living trees and standing deadwood) which in turn favoured the quantity and diversity of microhabitats. We also hypothesized that microhabitat indices would be better indicators than large and standing dead tree densities, two classical and often used indirect forest biodiversity indicators. We first analysed the response of total species richness and species richness of different groups and guilds (e.g. red-listed species, forest specialists, cavity dwellers...) to several microhabitat indices (density, diversity) to identify the best microhabitat metric. We then used confirmatory structural equation models to assess the indirect effects of management, large structural elements and microhabitats on the diversity of the target species. We first showed that microhabitat indices based on diversity better described biodiversity than indices based on abundance. Structural equation models confirmed that setting aside forest reserves increased the quantities of large trees and standing deadwood, which in turn drove higher quantities and diversity of microhabitats. This significantly increased the richness of several taxonomic groups including notably total richness and cavity dweller richness of both birds and bats. However the magnitude of the link between microhabitat indices and species richness was relatively small. Conversely, the biodiversity of saproxylic beetles was not driven by microhabitat indices and, for this taxon only, models involving direct effects of large structural elements or management performed better. Tree microhabitats appear to be an indicator for part of the taxonomic groups we analysed, but do not constitute a universal biodiversity indicator. They rather have a complementary role compared to large structural elements. Currently, their moderate correlation with biodiversity, as well as thei sensivity to other factors not taken into account in this study (e.g. observer effects), question their transferability to management and policy. Finally, this study calls for replicable and standardized multicriteria methods to validate biodiversity indicators.

This paper presents an accuracy analysis of a platform based on low-cost components for landmark-based navigation intended for research and teaching purposes. The proposed platform includes a LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 kit, an Android-based Smartphone as well as a compact laser scanner Hokuyo URG-04LX. The robot is used in a small indoor environment, where GNSS is not available. Therefore, a landmark map was produced in advance, with the landmark positions provided to the robot. All steps of procedure to set up the platform are shown. The main focus of this paper is the reachable positioning accuracy, which was analyzed in this type of scenario depending on the accuracy of the reference landmarks and the directional and distance measuring accuracy of the laser scanner. Several experiments were carried out, demonstrating the practically achievable positioning accuracy. To evaluate the accuracy, ground truth was acquired using a total station. These results are compared to the theoretically achievable accuracies and the laser scanner’s characteristics.

The Afrotropical Belostomatidae fauna has long proved to be a difficult taxonomic problem, not so much for the overwhelmingly large number of species involved but rather because of a lack of trained specialists. The rarity of some taxa also contributes to confusion, because some species remain poorly described or are known only from one or two specimens. During a visit to the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France and the Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium, it was possible to comprehensively review the Limnogeton species based mainly on the specimens housed in the aforementioned collections. An updated key to adults of all species presently included in the genus, particularly based on male genitalia characters studied during the present study, has been provided.

Les Mémoires du Muséum publient le huitième volume de la série Zoologia Neocaledonica, consacrée à l'étude de la faune de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, un des "points sensibles" de la biodiversité dans l'hémisphère Sud. Plus que jamais, l'étude de la biodiversité de cette île est d'actualité. D'une part, des études de phylogénies moléculaires en nombre croissant apportent des informations cruciales sur l'origine de la biodiversité locale. D'autre part, cette biodiversité est de plus en plus menacée de disparition, face à l'utilisation du milieu et à ses conséquences. Dans cette situation, les études systématiques des Zoologia Neocaledonica apportent à la fois des connaissances fondamentales et une mise en contexte indispensables aux études de biologie de l'évolution et aux politiques d'aménagement. Ce volume comprend 19 articles consacrées aux Lézards, Poissons et divers Insectes avec la description de nombreuses espèces nouvelles pour la science, et la prise en compte de plus de 100 taxons en Nouvelle-Calédonie.