Cadastral reform and the future of the surveying profession

Abstract

By understanding history and current international developments which are impacting on society, and by relating these to cadastral trends, it is possible to visualise the future of the Australian land surveying profession. In achieving this objective it is necessary to describe the changing relationship of humankind to land and how that has affected and will continue to affect the future role of surveyors. The paper also reviews world trends, influences and initiatives, particularly those undertaken or highlighted by the United Nations and World Bank. These not only confirm the importance of land surveyors in a modern society but also provide an indication of the future role of the surveyor. The paper also describes the joint United Nations and International Federation of Surveyors International Workshop and Conference in 1999 concerned with land tenure and cadastral infrastructures to support sustainable development for the next millennium. This workshop and conference will result in a joint UN/FIG Declaration which again will assist the surveying profession to chart its future. Importantly this initiative is being driven by surveyors. These world trends allow us to have a better understanding of future cadastres which, together with a review of the development of the Australian surveying profession over the last 150 years, permits a look into the future at the challenges facing the profession, as well as understanding the opportunities available to it.