3D GIS modelling of road and building material stocks: A case study of Grenada

Quantifying and mapping material stocks is crucial for built environment stock management and sustainable planning. This study presents a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based bottom-up approach for modelling road and building material stocks in Grenada, a small island state. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data were utilized to estimate building heights and building stocks. The first 3D WebGIS application was developed for Grenada to visualize material stocks in 3D city models. The road stocks in Grenada were estimated to be 4375 kilo tonnes (40.96 t/capita) in 2015, about one-third of building stocks, highlighting the importance of infrastructure stocks in small island states. LiDAR-derived building heights were more accurate, estimating building stocks 4.8 % lower than occupancy class-based height assumptions in the sample site. This study develops Grenada’s first road stock account and assesses a novel methodology for estimating building stocks in small island states, offering insights for enhancing resource assessment and management.