GEOMATICS
Land surveyors – the pioneers of precision For those well-versed in the complexities of infrastructure projects, we understand that success lies in the details. One such detail, frequently underestimated, is the critical support role of land surveyors, writes Chris Kirchhoff, a Professional Land Surveyor and chairman of the South African Geomatics Institute’s Northern Provinces branch.
I
n a muti-faceted built environmental where precision, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance intersect, land surveyors form the bedrock of every project, yet their contribution is often overlooked in the project cycle. However, their work does generate value and mitigates risks – from engineering, property ownership and land legal perspectives. No client wants to face costly rework and adjustments down the line. In South Africa, land surveyors adhere to both the Land Survey Act 8 of 1997 and the supporting regulations – which regulates the survey of land and real rights in land – and the Geomatics Profession Act 19 of 2013, which sets out professional standards and
20 IMIESA October 2023
controls who may practice as a land or engineering surveyor.
Geospatial information
The foundation of any infrastructure project is accurate geospatial information. Here land surveyors are the experts in acquiring and interpreting this data, providing an essential roadmap for design, planning, and precise implementation. The geospatial data they collect and analyse can uncover potential issues long before they become problematic. For example: - Are there restrictive title deed conditions or municipal zoning issues? - Are there boundary encroachments? - Does the topography lend itself to development? - Is the proposed construction site on a floodplain? - Are there any underground utilities that could interfere with the project? Land surveyors are specifically qualified and empowered by legislation to answer these questions at feasibility study level, thereby preventing expensive and potentially dangerous surprises later in the project cycle – but more critically at preconstruction stage. Additionally, accurate geospatial information is required for assessing the potential environmental impact A LiDAR drone team of an infrastructure project. This make preparations for enables developers to design and take-off on a mapping implement their projects in a way infrastructure that minimises harm and aligns upgrade survey with sustainability goals.
It’s not as simple as dispatching a drone – unmanned aerial vehicles are great tools, but their job is to collect data, not make sense of it.
Guardians of compliance One of the most essential areas where land surveyors play a crucial role is in ensuring cadastral and town planning regulatory compliance. Local laws and town planning regulations dictate specific requirements for infrastructure projects, from boundary regulations to floor area ratios to environmental impact assessments. Here, the land surveyors’ expertise helps developers navigate this complex regulatory landscape, ensuring that projects comply with all necessary guidelines and avoid legal entanglements or delays.
NATIONAL CONTACTS South African Geomatics Institute (SAGI) Branch and Chairman • KwaZulu-Natal Riaan van Jaarsveld Email: kzn.chairman@sagi.co.za • Eastern Cape Ivan Hansen Email: ec.chairman@sagi.co.za • Northern Provinces (Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West) Chris Kirchhoff Email: np.chairman@sagi.co.za • Northern Cape/Free State Deon van Zyl Email: fsnc.chairman@sagi.co.za • Western Cape Matthew Stuart-Fox Email: wc.chairman@sagi.co.za www.sagi.co.za
