The land surveyor in a distributed information environment
Abstract
A number of circumstances have conspired to exert pressure on the land surveying profession. Concern for the natural environment and technological developments are among the major factors that currently threaten the provision of traditional land surveying services. In response to these pressures, the thesis proposes a new role for the land surveyor which has its basis in the land and resources management process. From this process is derived the primary function of the land surveyor namely, land information management. To complement this function, the SURVUS model is introduced. It depicts the land surveyor as having direct access to a network of distributed databases of land and other information that will enable the provision of information services to a wide variety of clients.
The SURVUS model is conceptualization of a future environment that currently does not exist. The implementation of the SURVUS model, which is the goal of this these, is dependent upon the support of an infrastructure. The national spatial data infrastructure is viewed as one of the means by which land surveyors can successfully implement the SURVUS model. Implementing changes within the existing surveying firm is also necessary for implementing the SURVUS model.
The SURVUS model represents an evolutionary change for the land surveying profession. In that light, a strategy is designed for implementing the SURVUS model, which takes into account a wide variety of issues relating to the surveying profession including, specialization, marketplace pressures and opportunities, and environmental protection, among others. The strategy outlines the various stakeholder actions which are based on five guiding principles.