Context
In Austria, the Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying (Bundesamt für Eich- und Vermessungswesen – BEV) has maintained a public registry of land ownership, known as the land registry, for over 200 years. This data is crucial for various purposes, including construction projects, infrastructure development and verifying land ownership. Recognising the growing need for efficient access to this information, the BEV embarked on a project to create a free and user-friendly online service. This initiative aligns with the European Union’s Public Sector Information (PSI) Directive, which promotes open access to government data.
Objectives
The land registry web service aimed to achieve a three-pronged approach. First, it strived to enhance transparency and accessibility by offering unrestricted and free public access to Austria’s continually updated land registry. Second, it sought to simplify processes for government agencies and businesses that rely on this data. By eliminating the need for redundant local copies and streamlining access procedures, the service aimed to reduce administrative burdens. Finally, the project prioritised interoperability by following the FAIR principle. This ensured the data remained Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable for a wider range of applications.
Implementation
Developing a comprehensive and user-friendly web service presented several challenges. BEV had to ensure the data remained secure and reliable despite the potential for high volumes of automated queries. This required careful planning and implementation of data preparation, verification procedures and ongoing monitoring.
The BEV also recognised the need to replace their existing web shop, which was not designed for the anticipated increase in user traffic. The new web service, kataster.bev.gv.at, was designed with intuitive search functionalities and the ability to integrate with third-party systems for broader user access.
On launch day, the servers received over one million requests, and daily usage continues to grow. The service has been well received by individuals, government agencies and businesses alike. The BEV is actively exploring further development opportunities, including functionalities for authorised users to access specific data levels and the creation of a ‘land registry time machine’ that tracks historical changes to land parcels.