Survey, Mapping & Spatial Planning

Having accurate, reliable and backed-up information underpinning decision-making – whether spatial planning, disaster response, community engagement or forward planning – is an essential tool for all levels of government. Freely accessible information further underpins transparency and facilitates government and private sector innovation.   

LEI assists private, public and non-government organisations to design reliable, accessible and fit for purpose survey processes and geographical information collection, and sustainable processes for providing, sharing and maintaining resultant datasets to government agencies responsible for land administration, land use planning and environmental management. We understand the need to consider demand-driven survey accuracies using efficient cadastral surveying and mapping techniques (including data and document storage). We further recognise the substantial role that community enumerators, crowd-sourcing and automated data collection can play, now and in the future, particularly to address the significant secure tenure gap that exists. Both formal, technically-led survey practices and less formal, community-integrated approaches are essential to establishing a well-functioning land administration system. 

We are experienced in: 

• Geodetic control – establishing and upgrading geodetic and mapping control surveys, revising survey ordinances and regulations, defining and assisting with the establishment of new high-precision national datum 
• Cadastral survey and mapping – reviewing survey standards and processes, developing survey and mapping standards and field operation manuals, survey verification, and cadastral index mapping 
• Technology transfer and implementation design– introducing contemporary survey technology use, such as global positioning systems, mobile phones/tablets and total stations accompanied by comprehensive training, and documentation with complete field-to-office delivery
• Training and capacity building – developing training strategies, on-the-job training, formal training courses and educational curriculum in the areas of surveying and mapping, from both theoretical and practical training perspectives. 

LEI takes a fit-for-purpose approach to land administration, ensuring technical solutions are not over-engineered. This approach directly addresses country requirements for managing land issues, and begins with policy (including design of spatial, legal and institutional frameworks) without bias towards particular technology or survey technique. The approach ensures reasonable pricing, can be completed in a timely manner, and is holistic – encompassing and recognising all tenure types. We seek to deliver to stakeholder needs “now”, with sufficient scope for upgrading (scaling-up) at a later date. Flexibility, adaptability and sustainability are designed in as standard, to meet both national, sub-national and local needs. 

We ensure a focus on capacity development to ensure sustainable outcomes. LEI customises training to ensure ongoing support to local staff undertaking survey and mapping activities. Support may also be provided through field operation manuals and essential information on equipment maintenance procedures. 

We also recognise the power of technology to mobilise political will and innovation. We look to international leading practice for the latest and most suitable technology options to improve accuracy, precision and efficiency within projects. We have written extensively on donor decision-making for fit-for purpose technology application. Within our projects we routinely provide and support a wide range of surveying and mapping techniques with full customisation options.