Used in territory management, 3D data allow realistic digital mock-ups to be created. Communication, public consultation and project management tools that correspond to actual sites and that can be used in urban, countryside and transport infrastructure projects are indispensable to governmental bodies. A shared ‘operating manual’ for all product developers and users, defining the context, aims and criteria for the use and representation of 3D data, was felt to be important.

As a result, a project for an ethical charter began in 2008, notably featuring the participation of the French Republic, in the form of its National Geographic Institute (Institut géographique national or IGN), the Principality of Monaco, the Swiss Confederation, in the form of its Federal Office for Topography (Office fédéral de topographie or Swisstopo), the Republic and Canton of Geneva, Lyon’s Urban Planning Agency (l'Agence d’urbanisme de la Communauté urbaine du Grand Lyon), the city of Montreal and the Géovision-Avenir urban design and planning agency. A definitive document will be finalised this autumn.

The next stage will be to invite the various parties involved to sign the charter at the imagina 2010 event in Monaco on 4 February 2010. In bringing the groups together and gaining their support, the charter would then be able to be used as a universal reference document that establishes recognised and shared principles.

In this way, three-dimensional representations will benefit from a long-term guarantee of quality and undeniable legitimacy.

The ethical charter will be made available online from the 1st December 2009. More information

Cocktails will be offered on the Monaco Chamber of Economic Development’s stand, (by invitation only), 
to mark the signing of the 3D Ethics Charter

Contact :

Laurent Niggeler Directeur et Géomètre cantonal Service de la mensuration officielle République et canton de Genève Département du territoire