Role Of Land Surveyors And Geospatial Engineers In The Built Environment

Abstract

Surveying has been said to be the bedrock of any physical development. This implies that no meaningful physical development can occur without the direct and indirect application of the knowledge of surveying. This knowledge of measurement is vital to nation-building and land surveyors as geospatial experts around the world are saddled with the responsibility of providing the accurate geospatial information required in urban and rural development. The paper discusses the conventional and contemporary role of land surveyors in the built environment with a focus on the philosophy of surveying. It discusses some applications of the field of surveying, benefits of the land surveying profession, duties or responsibilities of a surveyor, dangers of neglecting the services of surveyors and lack of collaboration with other professionals in the built environment. It affirms that, for a sustainable urban milieu, the services of land surveyors are strongly required in planning, designing, executing and monitoring of developmental activities. The paper also established the need for professional collaboration and division of labour in the construction industry. It then recommends the use of appropriate professionals and concludes that sustainable physical development would be unattainable in developing countries without the use of land surveyors.