This presentation describes how the Hellenic Cadastre's core geospatial data may be used to protect and manage the natural and cultural heritage of Greece. It was presented at the Echopolis 2018 event which took place in Athens Greece in November 26-28 2018.

1. The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure
in the protection and management of the natural and
cultural heritage of Greece
Panos Lolonis
Surveying Engineer-Geographer, Ph.D.
Head of the Geospatial Information Department
HELLENIC CADASTRE
288 Mesogion Ave.
155 62 Cholargos – Athens
Tel. +30 (210) 6505-636

2. The Hellenic Cadastre
Lolonis P. 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• Hellenic Cadastre is a public agency in
Greece responsible for the development
and operation of the Hellenic National
Cadastre, as well as, for the development
and management of the core geodetic,
cartographic, and geospatial data of the
country.
• The agency was established in January
2018 and succeeded the Hellenic Cadastral
and Mapping Agency S.A. which was
abolished.
• Hellenic Cadastre has been endowed with
all cadastral, geodetic, cartographic, and
geospatial data that had been collected by
its predecessor agencies and has been
tasked to complete the development of the
cadastre by 2020-2021 and undertake its
operation.
Hellenic Cadastre headquarters, City of Holargos, Athens, Greece

3. Core geospatial data in the realm
of the Hellenic Cadastre
Lolonis P. 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
Main categories of core geospatial data:
• Geodetic
(Reference frames, coordinates)
• Cartographic
(Vector, imagery, DTM/DSM/DEM)
• Geo-spatial
(Cadastral parcels etc.)
Adopted from the Hellenic NSDI World Bank led working group

4. Core Geodetic Data
Operation of the Hellenic Positioning System (HEPOS)
Lolonis P. 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• Purpose: Support the cadastral surveying
process and the operation of the cadastre.
Coverage of the geodetic needs of the country.
• System: One Processing Center and
98 permanent stations receiving GPS signals
• Coverage: Entire country
• System: HTRS07, HGRS ’87
• Scale: Few centimeters (RTK)
Few millimeters (post-processing)
• Date of operation: 2008 – (onwards)
• Frequency / Policy of updating: Continuous
• Format: ΡΙΝΕΧ, Compact RINEX
• Compliance: 100%
• Metadata: Ad hoc
• Provision of data / services:
o Subscription (payment by time used)
o Payment by order
• Web: http://www.hepos.gr/?Lang=GR
HEPOS: Network of the permanent stations
Co-financed by EU

5. Core cartographic data
Orthophotomaps (Large Scale Orthophotomaps 25 –LSO25)
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• Purpose: Support of:
o Cadastral surveying
o Operation of the cadastre
o Other mapping needs of the country
• Coverage: Entire country
• System: HGRS ’87
• Scale: ~1:1.250 (GSD: 25cm)
• Precision: RMSExy <0,35 m (achieved 0,18m)
• Date of creation: 2014-2016
• Frequency / Policy of updating: Once
• Format: Jpeg2000
• Compliance: ~100%
• Metadata: Available in XML
• Provision of data / services:
o Available to agencies, individuals, and
firms subject to national security
regulations
• Also, available are the LSO50 &VLSO20
Indicative example of an LSO25 orthophotomap
Co-financed by EU:

6. Core cartographic data
Elevation (Digital Elevation Model–LSO25)
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• Purpose: Creation of orthophotomaps for the
development and operation of the Hellenic
Cadastre (byproduct). Coverage of the other
cartographic needs of the country.
• Coverage: Entire country
• System: HGRS ’87
• Scale: ~1:1.250
(Grid size: 2 m)
• Date of creation: 2014-2016
• Frequency / Policy of updating: Once
• Format: ESRI Floating Point Grid
• Compliance: ~100%
• Metadata: Available in XML
• Provision of data / services:
o Provided only for cases and
circumstances allowed by national
security rules and regulations
Indicative sample of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) (LSO25)
Co-financed by EU:Courtesy:
M. Papoutsakis, Hellenic Cadastre

7. Core geo-spatial data
Cadastral maps
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• Purpose: Registration and maintenance of
real property rights in the country.
Fulfillment of the INSPIRE requirements.
• Coverage:
o Present: Areas of the 1st and 2nd
Generation of Cadastral Surveying
Projects
o Future: Entire country
• System: HGRS ’87
• Scale:
o 1:1.000 & ~1:1.250 (Urban-built areas)
RMSExy <0,56 m (achieved 0,20 m)
o 1:5.000 (Rural & other areas)
RMSExy <1,41 m (achieved 1,10 m)
• Date of creation: 1999-present
• Frequency / Policy of updating: Continuous
• Format: Shape files
• Compliance: ~100%
• Metadata: Available in XML
• Provision of data / services: To everybody
Sample of a cadastral map for an urban area

8. Other geo-spatial data developed by Hellenic Cadastre
1945/1960 orthophotomaps
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• Compilation of the 1945/60 orthophotomap
• Purpose: Creation of the basemap for the
compilation of the “forest map” of the
country (necessary for the development of the
Hellenic National Cadastre).
• Coverage: Entire country
• System: HGRS ’87
• Scale: ~1:5.000 (GSD: 1 m)
• Accuracy: <10 m. (Achieved:~6 m)
• Date of creation: 2008-2009
(Original photos taken in 1945)
• Frequency / Policy of updating: Once
• Format: TIFF
• Compliance: ~100%
• Metadata: Available in XML
• Provision of data / services:
o Through Hellenic Military Geographic
Service
• Web: http://gis.ktimanet.gr/wms/forestsuspension/default.aspx
1945 orthophotomap of the area around the Min. of Digital Policy
Co-financed by EU:

9. Other geo-spatial data developed by Hellenic Cadastre
1945/1960 orthophotomaps
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• Compilation of the 1945/60 orthophotomap
• Purpose: Creation of the basemap for the
compilation of the “forest map” of the
country (necessary for the development of the
Hellenic National Cadastre).
• Coverage: Entire country
• System: HGRS ’87
• Scale: ~1:5.000 (GSD: 1 m)
• Accuracy: <10 m. (Achieved:~6 m)
• Date of creation: 2008-2009
(Original photos taken in 1945)
• Frequency / Policy of updating: Once
• Format: TIFF
• Compliance: ~100%
• Metadata: Available in XML
• Provision of data / services:
o Through Hellenic Military Geographic
Service
• Web: http://gis.ktimanet.gr/wms/forestsuspension/default.aspx
Recent (2007) orthophotomap of the area
Co-financed by EU:

10. Core spatial data infrastructure and natural heritage
“Forest” maps of the country
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• Delineation of “forests” and
“forest-like” areas is
considered to be an essential
element for the development of
the cadastre in Greece because,
by default, those areas are
considered to be State land.
• Maps depicting those areas
(called “forest maps”) are
important because they enable
the State services to declare
forest land (mainly State land).
• Compilation of “forest maps”
is made using standard
photointerpretation methods
on GSD 0,25-0,50 cm color
orthophotomaps and on GSD
1m, B&W orthophotomaps
depicting the situation in
1945/1960.
• Both the situation now, as well
as, the situation that used to be
in the past (1945 or 1960) are
depicted on those maps.
An excerpt of a “forest” map: Depiction of the current status and of the
changes that have happened since 1945.
Legend
• The area bounded by the black line is a settlement (zoned area).
• The areas in dark green are areas that have been always “forests”.
• The areas in light green are areas that have changed use since 1945.

11. Core spatial data infrastructure and natural heritage
“Forest” maps of the country
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• The “1945 forest maps” are
important because they depict
areas that used to be “forests”
in the past and, thus, are, by
default, State land. Potential
owners in such areas must
provide extensive
documentation of their title to
secure land ownership.
• Areas that used to be
agricultural in the past and
have been converted to forests
now may be claimed (and
accepted) as private land but
their use (forest) cannot change
• Progress made so far (2017):
o Areas having maps compiled:
72.000 (Km2) (~55%)
[Ratified (partially): ~31%]
o Remaining: 50.000 (Km2)
(45%).
o Time horizon for completion:
2020.
An excerpt of a “forest” map depicting the situation as in 1945.
Legend
• The area bounded by the black line is a settlement (zoned area).
• The areas in dark green are areas that used to be “forests”.
• The areas without shading indicate other uses (urban, agricultural).

12. Core spatial data infrastructure and natural heritage
“Shore” maps of the country
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• The “shore” comprises another
category of public land that
must be registered in the
cadastre. It constitutes the
border zone of land to the sea.
• Delineation of the “shore”
using standard procedures
(ground surveying, on-site
validation by committees)
would require excessive
amounts of time (for more than
70 years only 10% of the shore
was covered) and money (tens
of millions of Euros).
• Alternative strategy:
Use of photointerpretation
methods on GSD 25 cm,
Color+NIR orthphotomaps to
delineate the “Preliminary
borderline of the shore”.
• The project was carried-out
within two years (2008-2009)
and cost 2,6 million Euros.
Base-map for delineating the “shore” (Co-financed by EU)
Legend
• The red line indicates the border line of the “shore”, as it was defined
using standard procedures (field surveying and ground validation.
• The yellow line indicates the “Preliminary borderline of the shore”.

13. Core spatial data infrastructure and natural heritage
Monitoring for unauthorized construction in fire-stricken areas of Attica
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• Continuous monitoring of the area on a bi-monthly
basis
• Detection of anthropogenic changes in the area
• Reporting to the Inspection Body for Unauthorized
Construction
• The area was struck by fire in 2009
• Monitoring has taken place since 2011.
• Total area covered: ~270 sq. kms
Detected anthropogenic change in the monitored area
Monitored area, NE Attica
Argyriou A, Houtopoulos I, 2018, “Operation of the remote sensing based
periodic mapping system for detecting unauthorized construction in NE
Attica…”, HellasGIS, 10th Pahellenic Conference, Athens, Nov. 12-14, 2018

14. Core spatial data infrastructure and natural heritage
Accurate delineation of the NATURA 2000 Network areas
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
Delineation of the NATURA 2000 area (yellow line) in a mountainous village in Arcadia, Greece

15. Core spatial data infrastructure and cultural heritage
Depiction of archaeological sites and other points of interest on base maps
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
Adopted from Papathanasiou A et al., 2017, “Neolithic Alepotrypa Cave in the Mani,
Greece” (Oxbow Books 2018, Oxford & Philadelphia, www.oxbowbooks.com)
Alepotrypa Cave, Diros, Mani, Greece

16. Core spatial data infrastructure and cultural heritage
Depiction of archaeological sites and other points of interest on base maps
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
After the complete destruction
of the village by occupation
forces in 1944, villagers
established kilns in
appropriate locations to
produce lime in order to re-
build their houses
Those kilns were abandoned
after the re-construction took
place.
Their remains may be
discovered today using the
1945 maps. After their proper
reconstruction and
preservation, they may be
used as attraction sites or
points of interest to
researchers, hikers or visitors.
Similar explorations may be
made for other features of
historical, archaeological, or
cultural interest (old roads,
trails, aqueducts, ruins etc.)
Locations of lime kilns in Vlacherna, Arcadia, Greece (1945)

17. Core spatial data infrastructure and cultural heritage
Depiction of archaeological sites and other points of interest on base maps
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
Courtesy: Dimitrios Kollintzas
Venetian cadastral map of the Bezenico village,
Arcadia, Greece, 1699
Current cadastral map of the Vlaherna (Bezenico)
village, Arcadia, Greece, 2018

18. Integration of spatial data infrastructure with
emerging technologies
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
Adopted from P. Partinevelos, 2015, Winning proposal of the 2015 Copernicus
Masters NCMA Spatio-temporal Data Visualization Challenge
https://www.copernicus-masters.com/winner/cybearth-first-person-visualisation-eo-data/
CybEarth: Information augmentation and display annotation
functionality
Emerging areas of
interaction with traditional
spatial data infrastructures
• 3-D mapping (Laser-
scanners, advanced 3-D
data acquisition devices)
• Augmented reality
technologies
• Virtual reality
technologies
• …

19. Summary and conclusions
Lolonis P., 2018, “The role of the core geospatial information infrastructure in the protection and management of the natural and cultural heritage of
Greece”, Echopolis2018, Athens, Nov 26-28, 2018
• The core spatial data infrastructure play an
enabler’s role in the protection and
preservation of the natural and cultural
heritage of the country
• The infrastructure may:
o Expand the range and
comprehensiveness of works that aim
to safeguard the natural and cultural
heritage
o Provide/improve access to data to a
very large range of actual and potential
users
o Reduce the time and difficulty of
performing tasks related to the
studying and protection of the sites of
interest
o Reduce the cost of carrying-out
projects and activities that aim in the
preservation and enhancement of the
natural and cultural heritage
Sample from the LSO-25 data set in coastal Greece