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	  News in 2024
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	Surveying - Registration - Valuation
	How we gather and deal with our data today
		5-7 February 2024 – Cavalieri Art Hotel, Malta
		Report on the EGoS and FIG Commissions 3 and 9 Joint Workshop in 
		Malta
		This workshop, a joint event of Commissions 3 and 9, aimed to map and 
		bridge the gap that exists in the lifecycle of data collection and 
		management, facilitating land and cadastre valuation. The workshop 
		commenced on the afternoon of February 5 with a welcome reception 
		organized by the European Group of Surveyors (EGoS) and representatives 
		of FIG Commissions 3 and 9, alongside the warm hospitality of the Malta 
		Institute of Surveyors (MIoS) officiated by Mr. Randolph Camilleri and 
		Mr. Alan Micallef.
		The first day started with a Welcome Session for the 40 workshop 
		delegates and participants. The speakers included Mr. Nikos Zacharias, 
		the President of EGoS, who warmly welcomed all 40 participants; Mr. Alan 
		Micallef, the previous delegate to the FIG YSN and current President of 
		MIoS, expressed his gratitude for hosting the workshop; Mrs. Diane 
		Dumashie, President of FIG, welcomed everyone, both newcomers and 
		veterans, reminding them of FIG's vision and mission for today and 
		tomorrow; Dr. Sagi Dalyot, Chair of FIG Commission 3, attended the 
		opening session online and illustrated the critical role of spatial data 
		and spatial information management in numerous applications, 
		particularly in land management and valuation; Mr. Peter Ache, Chair of 
		FIG Commission 9, introduced his work plan for his term and outlined the 
		efforts needed for a more transparent real estate market.
		The Plenary Session was a dedicated forum focused on the pivotal role 
		of surveyors within the global landscape. Dr. Diane Dumashie 
		spearheaded the session, elucidating FIG vision for 2030 and emphasizing 
		the paramount importance of collaborative efforts in Land Governance. 
		She underscored the necessity of a proactive stance in confronting 
		global challenges for the betterment of society, stressing the 
		indispensability of connectivity and continuity in upholding the 
		integrity of our profession.
		Following Dr. Dumashie's insights, FIG past-President, Prof. Chrissy 
		Potsiou, delved into the surveyors' role within the framework of UNECE 
		(United Nations Economic Commission for Europe), providing a 
		comprehensive overview of the current landscape and ongoing research 
		pertaining to land policies and economies. She concluded her address by 
		announcing the forthcoming UNECE Workshop scheduled for 2025, aiming to 
		further explore and address pertinent issues in this domain.
		Mr. John Hohol, FIG Foundation President Emeritus, extended a warm 
		welcome to the attendees, underscoring the FIG Foundation's dedication 
		to supporting Young Surveyors and nurturing generational continuity 
		within the surveying profession. Notably, the presence of several Young 
		Surveyors at the workshop was made possible through the steadfast 
		support of the FIG Foundation, reflecting its commitment to fostering 
		the development and engagement of emerging talent within the field.text
		
		Main takeaways from the Technical Sessions of the first day are:
		
			- Fit-for-Purpose Digital Twin for 3D Cadastral and Land 
			Management: A research project conducted in Greece 
			showcased the practical application of digital twins for 3D 
			cadastral and land management. This innovative approach offers 
			stakeholders and policymakers a visual representation of community 
			transformations over time through cadastral data. It enables 
			analysis of the impacts of such changes on various real estate 
			sectors, including commercial, residential, and mixed-use buildings.
 
- Comparative Study on Level-of-Detail (LoD) in 3D Urban 
			Modelling: A comparative study examined the appropriate 
			Level-of-Detail (LoD) to be utilized in 3D urban modeling, 
			particularly in disaster-stricken areas like Popoli, Italy. The 
			availability of different LoDs proves beneficial for post-emergency 
			scenarios, aiding in relief operations, repairs, and reconstruction 
			efforts.
 
- Geospatial Technologies in Valuation and Real Estate: 
			A technical session focused on the application of geospatial 
			technologies in valuation and real estate. Examples included the use 
			of GIS software for Automated Valuation Models (AVM) and spatial 
			regression analysis. Challenges such as the accuracy of data 
			collection and the transparency of location data were discussed, 
			considering factors like open-source data, crowdsourcing, and 
			industry-led data collection.
 
- Evolution of Surveying Education: Insights from 
			the University of Chieti Pescara and representatives from the FIG 
			Young Surveyors Network and FIG Commission 2 highlighted the 
			changing landscape of surveying education in universities. 
			Discussions revolved around how slight changes in terminology can 
			impact perceptions of the surveyor's role in an increasingly digital 
			society.
 
- Utilization of Spatial Data in the Government Sector: 
			Colleagues from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shared their country's 
			efforts in leveraging spatial data within the government sector. 
			They discussed recent technological advancements and partnerships 
			that have positively impacted the economy and finances, showcasing 
			the potential of spatial data in driving progress and development.
Overall, the Technical Sessions underscored the importance of 
		innovation, collaboration, and adaptation within the surveying 
		profession, particularly in the context of emerging technologies and 
		evolving societal needs.
		The first day concluded with a captivating tour of the old capital of 
		Medina, a historic fortified city nestled in the heart of Malta. Medina 
		exudes an ambiance steeped in rich history and diverse cultures, 
		offering visitors a glimpse into its storied past while seamlessly 
		adapting to the evolving environment beyond its ancient walls. The tour 
		provided participants with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in 
		the timeless charm and architectural splendor of this historic gem, 
		further enhancing their understanding and appreciation of Malta's 
		cultural heritage.
		
		
		The key theme for Day 2 of the workshop was planning, encompassing 
		spatial planning, urban planning, and disaster planning. Technical 
		sessions centered on utilizing geospatial data for planning purposes. 
		The sessions featured research and notable outcomes showcasing the 
		practical application of new technologies in generating geospatial data 
		for use in land administration systems, managing complex land parcels, 
		monitoring mobility, and preserving architecture. Highlights and key 
		takeaways include:
		
			- Spatial Planning in Unregistered Land: 
			Colleagues from Greece and the UK shared their experiences with 
			unregistered land and discussed how various methods of spatial 
			planning and development are helping to tackle such challenges. 
			Insights were provided on how unregistered lands are affecting 
			market values in the study area.
 
- Spatial Planning in Climate Change: The 
			spotlight also shone on addressing climate change and emergency 
			preparedness, where our professional expertise in construction, 
			monitoring, and planning plays a crucial role. Methods and 
			experiences from Italian colleagues and Young Surveyors were 
			presented, with an additional exploration into the extent to which 
			disaster planning can impact land and building values in both pre- 
			and post-disaster scenarios.
In conclusion, this year’s FIG Commissions 3 & 9 and EGoS Joint 
		Workshop served as a compelling convergence of knowledge from two 
		pivotal sectors within our profession, acting as the ideal nexus between 
		Valuation and Spatial Information Management. Despite not having been 
		thoroughly explored in recent times, our societies and communities, 
		driven partially by economic capacity, must acknowledge the escalating 
		necessity for accurate geospatial and location data. Such data not only 
		facilitates enhanced urban planning and economic growth but also 
		contributes to architectural preservation, fosters healthier tourism, 
		and ensures food stability and secure land tenure. In doing so, 
		unnecessary expenditures can be reduced, and the adverse impact of urban 
		decay on the environment mitigated.
		Infinite gratitude is owed to the Organizing Committee for 
		orchestrating such an insightful event, particularly to Randolph 
		Camilleri, Malcolm Elliott, Maria Scorza, Nikos Zacharias, Peter Ache, 
		Sagi Dalyot, Rahmi Celik, and Enrico Rispoli.
		In summary:
		
			- 40 delegates from numerous countries participated in this 
			workshop.
- 16 presentations were delivered throughout the event.
		
		Report authored by Cromwell Manaloto and edited by Sagi Dalyot.
		Photographs captured by Cromwell Manaloto (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cromwell-manaloto-90123447/)
		 
		
		 
		
		 
		February 2024