swisstopo 2015 Folio 2014 where knowing swisstopo Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Confédération suisse Confederazione Svizzera Confederaziun svizra Federal Office of Topography swisstopo www.swisstopo.ch “The public presence of our office has definitely grown.” Fridolin Wicki, Director of the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo swisstopo Folio 2014 Content Welcoming speech by Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer, Head of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS 2 Welcoming speech by Fridolin Wicki, Director of the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo 3 Guardian at the wall Monitoring the “Barrage du Châtelot” in the Jura Mountains of Neuchâtel 4 Cadastral information in three clicks What kind of information is provided by the PLR portals of the cantons – and for whom? 8 It looks great, is intelligent and modern The new National Map is here – with a new typeface and more details 12 Getting the picture directly online The new LUBIS-Viewer provides public access to swisstopo’s aerial photographs 16 All of Switzerland in 3-D swissBUILDINGS3D 2.0: a valuable basic data set 20 Water for Chad International cooperation for establishing hydrogeological maps 24 Profession: geomatician Working at the interface of geography and informatics 28 Outlook 30 Organisation chart 32 Figures 2014 33 1 swisstopo Folio 2014 Dear Readers “I’m impressed by the outstanding reputation that swisstopo enjoys also in foreign countries.” One of the most important measures in 2014 is I’m also impressed by the outstanding without a doubt the resolution that from now on reputation that the office enjoys – even in foreign swisstopo shall be managed as an independent countries. When I attended the “Geospatial administrative office. This is a positive turn for World Forum” in May 2014 in Geneva, I realized swisstopo, bringing with it increased interest and that swisstopo boasts an excellent international a distinctive profile. The decision is also position as a visionary institution which has been strategically important: It confirms the position of thinking three-dimensionally all along. For me this swisstopo as a significant interdisciplinary is a demonstration for an efficient and effective institution, considering that today almost all use of its generous elbow room – today and in offices need and use geodata in some kind of the future. form. Ueli Maurer, Personally I’m impressed by the overall perfor- Federal Councilor and Head of the Federal mance of swisstopo: A new product or service is Department of Defence, Civil Protection and developed at an almost quarterly cadence. For a Sport (DDPS) federal office, swisstopo shows an incredibly high frequency in launching innovative and creative products. The wheel can’t be reinvented, but often the difference can be found in the details: Better maps, innovative digital and mobile applications – and obviously these products are used intensively in everyday life. 2 “For a federal office, swisstopo shows an incredibly high frequency in launching innovative and creative products.” I was able to inherit a top-rate institute from The transition to new production processes my predecessor Jean-Philippe Amstein. And will continue to keep us busy, in particular the swisstopo continues to write success stories: The Topographic Landscape Model TLM and the Information and Communication Technology ICT Digital Cartographic Model DCM. In addition, we Public Award 2014, one of the most prestigious have to find ways to keep our products more awards in the industry, was presented to up-to-date. swisstopo for developing the federal geoportal. The new National Map 1:25 000, of which Our most cherished assets are technical expertise, first sheets were published in 2014, is lauded as professional experience and the personal the best map in the world and has already motivation of our employees combined with won prizes. I consider this as the reward for our being open-minded and inquisitive. I am very daily efforts and the high quality of our proud of our achievements and am convinced products – and also that our clients appreciate that we are ready and prepared for whatever and use our products in everyday life. challenges the future holds in store. There are still plenty of tasks left to approach: Fridolin Wicki, We would like to optimize collaboration with the Director of the Federal Office of Topography cantons and find good solutions from which swisstopo everyone can benefit. The three-dimensional representation of geodata opens up new possibilities, and we are participating in geological topics with significant future potential. Keywords are alternative energy or the geological disposal of radioactive material. 3 “We appreciate the top quality observations and the innovative methods used at swisstopo.” Jean-Claude Kolly, Head of Dam Operations, Directorate Energy, Groupe E, Granges-Paccot 4 High above the “Barrage du Châtelot”, Les Planchettes, Canton Neuchâtel, coordinates 2 547 790 / 1 216 665 Les Planchettes, Canton Neuchâtel, coordinates High above the “Barrage du Châtelot”, 5 swisstopo Folio 2014 Guardian at the wall It’s wild, peaceful and secluded at the “Lac de Moron” in the Neuchâtel Jura Mountains located directly at the national border with France. The dam “Barrage du Châtelot” has been holding back the waters of the river Doubs here since 1953. Like all large dams in Switzerland, this one is also permanently monitored because safety is always first priority. Here is a closer look: 2 3 2 Survey pillar. Around the area of the dam there are different concrete pillars for mounting surveying instruments used to monitor the dam. These are solid constructions for the exact positioning of surveying receivers. 3 Survey marker. There are no survey pillars 1 on the dam because of its exposure. Instead, small markers on selected sites are representative 1 Cross-border commuter. The only direct way to get from the Swiss to the French of the behavior of the dam. The surveyors side of the dam leads across the narrow and breezy gangway. The “Barrage du Châtelot” must observe and measure these metal rivets is part of the energy company “Groupe E” from Granges-Paccot in Canton Fribourg. with great precision. It supplies power and energy directly or indirectly to about half a million residents in the Cantons Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Vaud and Bern. 6 4 5 6 4 Displacements. The specialist from swisstopo 5 Gravity observations. The dam supervisor 6 Life’s vocation. Dominique Fresard has been takes aim at the survey markers on the dam uses a coordiscope for the monthly monitoring on duty at the “Barrage” for 26 years. He knows and observes directions, angles and distances. of gravity and plumb lines. This instrument “his” dam inside and out. He is also qualified in The coordinates computed from these values are registers any tilts or shifts of the dam compared many different fields – technology, nature and compared to the results from earlier surveys. to its base. conservation as well as fishing. Dam supervisors Discrepancies of even one millimeter are are all-rounders – and are the first at the scene in registered. an emergency. Safety at dams In the year 2014 … It is very rare that anomalies are detected on … swisstopo monitored the dams Lessoc and dams. It is possible, however, that the construc- Montsalvens (both in Canton Fribourg), Garichte tion itself or its underground foundations can (Canton Glarus), In den Schlagen and Rempen shift or become deformed. Furthermore, damage (Canton Schwyz) as well as Piora (Canton Ticino). on dams can be caused by landslides, rock slides, extreme flooding or heavy earthquakes. Further information: The 200 largest dams in Switzerland are therefore www.swisstopo.ch/folio monitored permanently by local barrage operators. Qualified and independent experts in construction and geology carry out extensive safety inspections every five years. swisstopo provides verification of any possible horizontal and vertical movements of the dam compared to the previous control monitoring. 7 “swisstopo collects the know-how from the Cantons and promotes exchange.” Jürg Hotz, Head of pilot project PLR cadaster, Office of Geoinformation in Canton Thurgau 8 9 Evening scene at the port in Romanshorn, Canton Thurgau, coordinates 2 746 196 / 1 270 334 swisstopo Folio 2014 Cadastral information in three clicks Switzerland is one of the first countries in the world to establish a cadaster with public law restrictions on landownership (PLR). This information is public and centrally available through the cadastral portals of the cantons. In 2014 the first cantons made their PLR portals available online, among others Canton Thurgau. 1 Information. Whoever owns or would like to acquire real estate can obtain all of the information regarding any restrictions of use relevant to his property in an extract of the PLR cadaster. There are more than 150 different PLRs in Switzerland. The 17 most important ones from eight categories were included in the federal cadaster. The cantons may individually add further PLRs from their territories. 2 Design plans. Using design plans, the cantons can make precise PLR specifications for the design and construction of buildings. They can, for instance, specify how the buildings on a particular plot should be oriented. Regulations. Building lines as well as groundwater protection are topics for the PLR. The former defines the demarcation for clearance from a structure to other 1 objects, for instance to buildings, streets or bodies of water. Nationwide PLR cadaster in 2020 Developing the PLR cadaster is a project that will be completed in two stages and cover all of Switzerland. Five years ago, the eight pilot cantons under the direction of swisstopo began to develop the required elements. One of the major challenges is harmonizing the data which 2 originate from different sources. During the pilot stage, the PLR cadasters of the Cantons Bern, Neuchâtel, Jura, Thurgau, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich were launched in 2014. Canton Geneva will introduce its PLR cadaster in mid-2015.