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| ELEMENTARY
DEFINITION OF SURVEYING
The art, science,
and technology of detecting the relative position of points at, above, or below the
surface of the earth; or establishing such points.
BROADER
DEFINITION
The art, science, and technology of gathering
and analysing measurement data related to the land and other land-related surfaces and
spaces, to include designing and devising the measurement specifications and standards to
accomplish these measurements with the desired precision and accuracy and error control
and adjustment, including the use of all instrumentation applicable to such measurements,
said measurements typically being, but not limited to distances, heights, angles,
directions, positions, areas, volumes, and other measurements associated with these
quantities. Professional Surveying
The application of knowledge of the science
of surveying measurement, the legal principles of boundary location, the laws related to
boundaries and land use, the applicable mathematical and computational theories and
principles, the natural and other forces which affect position accuracy, the land planning
and development concepts pertinent to subdivision of land and property surveys, land
record and land tenure concepts, geodetic and other earth-related sciences to the
analysis, design, and execution of surveying and mapping projects and the design of land
mapping and information systems.
LOGICAL SCOPE OF PROFESSIONAL
SURVEYING
- Original Surveys for Establishing Property
Boundaries
- Retracement of Property Boundaries
- Field Surveys for Topographic and other Maps
- Photogrammetric Surveys for Topographic and
other Maps
- Construction of Maps and other Graphics for
Design and Planning
- Layout and Staking to Guide Construction
- Measuring and Plotting the Position of
Constructed Works
- Geodetic and other Precise Control Surveys
- Surveys for Mining and other Subsurface
Operations
- Hydrographic and Underwater Surveys
- Making Surveys and Maps for Land Information
Systems
- Design of Measurement Specifications for
Various Surveys
- Development of Measurement Standards for
Various Surveys
- Application, Use, and Adjustment of
Measurement Instruments
- Development of Relative Geometric Positional
and other Accuracy Needs for Land Information Systems.
- Assisting Engineers, Lawyers, Planners, the
Public, and Government Officials with the Solution of Problems Where Surveying Expertise
is Needed.
THE VALUE OF BEING A SURVEYOR
- Full understanding of the inexactness,
uncertainty, and variable nature of measurement leads to humility since it teaches that
one can never be sure of results. It is this very humility that, more than anything,
creates the professional attitude needed to constantly seek new evidence, and consequently
a higher probability of approaching the truth or proving something with confidence.
- The surveyor is primarily an analyst. As an
analyst of both measurement data and boundary location evidence (including geometric and
other mathematical relationships) the surveyor is in a position to develop a keen
sensitivity to the importance of finding and applying the truth.
- A surveyor, when practicing according to the
true nature of surveying, is ever seeking the truth, whether in measurement or in boundary
location. Consequently, learning and applying the measurement science and the legal and
other principles of boundary retracement develops character.
- The art and science of surveying is a mirror
of life itself.
The
International Federation of Surveying has adopted the following definition of surveying
and the surveyor:
A surveyor is a professional person with
the academic qualifications and technical expertise to practise the science of
measurement; to assemble and assess land and geographic related information; to use that
information for the purpose of planning and implementing the efficient administration of
the land, the sea and structures thereon; and to instigate the advancement and development
of such practices.
Practise of the surveyor's
profession may involve one or more of the following activities which may occur either on,
above or below the surface of the land or the sea and may be carried out in association
with other professionals:
- The determination of the size and
shape of the earth and the measurement of all data needed to define the size, position,
shape and contour of any part of the earth's surface.
- The positioning of objects in space
and the positioning and monitoring of physical features, structures and engineering works
on, above or below the surface of the earth.
- The determination of the position of
the boundaries of public or private land, including national and international boundaries,
and the registration of those lands with the appropriate authorities.
- The design, establishment and
administration of land and geographic information systems and the collection, storage,
analysis and management of data within those systems.
- The study of the natural and social
environment, the measurement of land and marine resources and the use of the data in the
planning of development in urban, rural and regional areas.
- The planning, development and
redevelopment of property, whether urban or rural and whether land or buildings.
- The assessment of value and the
management of property, whether urban or rural and whether land or buildings.
- The planning, measurement and
management of construction works, including the estimation costs.
- The production of plans, maps, files,
charts and reports.
In the application of
the foregoing activities surveyors take into account the relevant legal, economic,
environmental and social aspects affecting each project. |
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