This month, Chester Association of Property Professionals (CAPP) member Louise Hilder of Cheshire Surveys shares about the Land Surveying profession.
The Land Surveying discipline has stood the test of time from its early roots in early civilisation right through to the modern world. It has been an integral part of construction and development as people have always needed help plotting and planning where things are or where to put new structures.
The professional has gone through a time of rapid change, driven by the accessibility to new geomatic technology and the changing working practices in the wider geospatial professions. Alongside the technical evolution in the industry there has been also been the need for the profession to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and excellent communication. Land Surveyors have had to demonstrate adaptability and resilience as the workload has increased in both volume and pace and the complexity and challenges faced on projects have grown.
There are three key areas that Land Surveying offers to the development and design process that are critical to allow other disciplines to do their job.
Firstly a Land Surveyor will provide the geo-referenced spatial control for a construction or development project. This provides a reliable reference framework for all measurements and spatial data within a project and ensures accuracy, coordination, quality control, and safety. It sets the foundation for turning a project into reality from its early stages. It sets the baseline for everything that has to be geo-referenced in a construction project and a fixed point to work back to. It is the language of all the engineering functions on site, so everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.
Secondly, Land Surveyors are spatial communicators. They excel in providing accurate and timely spatial data, enabling critical decision-making, cost analysis, and problem-solving. One of the key of using a Land Surveyor is that the spatial information provided can be integrated into other platforms including CAD and 3d modelling software and online mapping for use by a wide range of disciplines.
And finally, Land Surveyors are spatial problem solvers and quality controllers. By adopting methodical processes and establishing a geo-referenced framework the information they provide reduces the likelihood of errors and conflicts in building and construction as well as assisting wider project teams solve unsolved errors and identifying inconsistencies that will impact upon to time, costs and quality.
Land Surveying is here to stay, but it is imperative that the profession continues to adapt and respond to the shifting demands of the economy and the those we work for. Like many professions Land Surveying needs more new recruits and there is a skill shortage for the future. If you fancy a chat to find out more of what becoming a Land Surveyor, please get in touch with me.
Louise Hilder
Cheshire Surveys
www.cheshiresurveys.co.uk
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