CSDILA marks 25 years of spatial data infrastructure and land administration research

The Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures and Land Administration (CSDILA) at the University of Melbourne marked its 25th anniversary with an online celebration on 29 October 2026, from 4:00pm to 5:30pm AEDT. Alumni, collaborators, partners and students were invited to look back on the Centre's history, recognise contributors and consider its future direction.

The Centre was established in November 2001, with initial support from the Victorian State Government through Land Use Victoria. Its aim is to develop spatial data infrastructures that integrate data and make it accessible to address society's demands. It has since drawn funding from Australian Research Council grants, federal and state governments and international bodies. Its work now spans land administration, urban planning, climate resilience, digital twins, transport and mobility, and emerging geospatial technologies.

Why it matters: CSDILA is a long-running academic centre whose research and training on land administration and spatial data infrastructure inform practice and policy internationally, including in countries modernising land systems. Its 25-year milestone reflects the field's shift towards digital twins and climate resilience.