FIG Definition of Surveyors - Proposal of the FIG Council, 
	  August 2003 
				
				 
				 
				FIG Definition of Surveyors as adopted in 
	  1990 and the Proposal of the FIG Council in French. 
				A surveyor is a professional person with the academic qualifications and 
	technical expertise  
				
					- to practise the science of determination, representation and 
	  measurement of the location of the geometry of pieces of land, 
	  three-dimensional objects, point-fields and trajectories; 
 
					- to assemble and assess land and geographically related information and
 
					- to use that information for the purpose of planning and implementing 
	  the efficient administration of the land, the sea and structures as well 
	  as objects thereon; and to instigate the advancement and development of 
	  such practices. 
 
				 
				Practice 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 and their significant change.
 
					- The positioning of objects in space and time as well as the 
	  positioning and monitoring of physical features, structures and 
	  engineering works on, above or below the surface of the earth.
 
					- The development, testing and calibration of sensors, instruments and 
	  systems for the above mentioned purposes and other surveying purposes.
 
					- The production and actualization of plans, maps as well as other 
	  scientific documents.
 
					- The acquisition and use of spatial information from close range, 
	  aerial and satellite imagery and the automation of this process.
 
					- 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 geographic information 
	  systems (GIS) and the collection, storage, analysis, management and 
	  dissemination of data within those systems.
 
					- The process to analyse, interpret, integrate and homogenize spatial 
	  objects and phenomena in GIS, as well as to visualize and communicate them 
	  in maps and mobile digital devices.
 
					- 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 as well as 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 of costs.
 
					- The development of geospatial services tailored to diversified user 
	  communities. 
 
				 
				In the application of the foregoing activities surveyors take into 
	account the relevant legal, economic, environmental and social aspects 
	affecting each project.    |