MONETARY VALUATION OF A CADASTRAL DATABASE AS A PUBLIC INTANGIBLE ASSET

Abstract

This study develops a monetary valuation framework for cadastral databases as public intangible assets. The object being valued is a structured stock of reliable, current and legally relevant information, rather than the hardware or software used to manage it. The study distinguishes accounting value, replacement cost, the operator’s financial performance and the wider economic contribution of cadastral data. Its methods combine a comparative review of data valuation approaches, institutional and legal analysis, counterfactual modelling, capitalization of risk reduction and scenario analysis. The analysis focuses on the relationship between the quality of cadastral information, uncertainty over property boundaries and the risks associated with holding and transferring real estate. Particular attention is paid to separating the contribution of data from the joint effects of property rights registration, judicial protection and other institutions. Historical expenditure, replacement cost, market comparison, commercial income, avoided losses and the value of future uses are examined in relation to the public purpose of the register. The agricultural component of Ukraine’s State Land Cadastre provides the context for a scenario application, with explicit consideration of information coverage, price benchmarks and sensitivity to assumptions. The scope of the analysis includes safeguards against double counting and the distinction between a capitalized contribution to property values and the net social benefits of an investment project. A separate part addresses free access, cost recovery, budget dependence and the financing of data maintenance, updating and protection. Risks of temporary unavailability, recoverable damage and irreversible loss of evidentiary information are considered within the discussion of digital resilience. The paper also outlines the data requirements for subsequent empirical estimation, including parcel-level transaction records, data quality characteristics and information on legal disputes. The policy focus is resource allocation for maintaining and protecting public cadastral data.