Surveying in Uganda – Understanding the Types, Importance, and Mistakes in Surveying

Hydrological surveys.

A hydrological survey is a scientific study assessing water in an area, focusing on quantity, quality, and movement, crucial for sustainable management, locating water sources (like boreholes), or assessing flood risk. It involves collecting data on surface/groundwater, geology, topography, and drainage to understand the water cycle’s components, ensuring responsible resource use and informing infrastructure projects.

Hydrogeological surveys.

A hydrogeological survey or groundwater survey investigates subsurface water, determining aquifer depth, yield, quality (contaminants), and sustainability for drilling boreholes.

Hydrographic surveys.

A hydrographic survey focuses on marine environment and entails the mapping of underwater features like seabed topography, depths, and obstacles for safe navigation, dredging, or coastal restoration. It entails meticulously mapping the underwater landscape, revealing the intricate valleys, ridges, underwater mountains, and slopes that form the seabed. By mapping water depths, seafloor composition, underwater features and submerged hazards, and coastal zones, hydrographic surveys provide the data needed for safe navigation, infrastructure development, and environmental management.

Bathymetric surveys.

A bathymetric survey, sometimes referred to as a fathometric survey, is a type of hydrographic (water-based) survey that maps the depths and shapes of underwater terrain to illustrate the land that lies below. Bathymetry focuses on a single, crucial aspect: water depth across a specific area. Hydrography goes beyond depth measurements, offering a comprehensive view of the underwater environment like a powerful telescope. It incorporates bathymetric data (of course!), but dives deeper by gathering additional information. To conclude, bathymetry tells you how deep the water is, while hydrography reveals everything you need to know about the underwater environment, including its depth. Data collected from bathymetric surveys undertaken for water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and estuaries, can be used to inform flood assessments and project developments.

Geological surveys.

A geological survey is a systematic study of the earth’s subsurface to map features, identify resources (minerals, water, geothermal), assess hazards (earthquakes, landslides), and understand geological structures for construction and environmental planning. These investigations involve field mapping, drilling, geochemical analysis, geophysics (like seismic/electrical), and laboratory testing. Geological surveys form the foundation of successful mineral exploration and mining operations.

Geochemical surveys.

Geochemical surveys involve collecting and analysing samples of soil, rock, sediment, and water to determine their chemical composition. These analyses reveal the presence of specific minerals and trace elements that might indicate nearby ore deposits. Geochemical methods are particularly useful for detecting dispersed mineral occurrences and understanding alteration patterns around deposits.

Archaeological surveys.

An archaeological survey is a systematic and large-scale examination of a designated land area to identify and document any archaeological resources present, such as historic structures, prehistoric artifacts, or buried features. The objective of such surveys is always to preserve cultural heritage by identifying and protecting significant sites that could be disturbed or destroyed in various development or construction projects.

Mine surveys.

Mine surveys are precise measurements and mapping of surface/underground mine workings to ensure safety, optimize resource extraction, plan operations, and maintain accurate records. They involve geometric data collection using tools like total stations, laser scanners, and GPS to map infrastructure, geological features, and assess compliance with engineering designs.

Marine surveys.

Marine surveying is the inspection and assessment of marine vessels, cargo, and structures to ensure safety, seaworthiness, regulatory compliance, and to determine condition/damage, often for insurance, purchase, or repair purposes. Marine surveyors act as independent experts, investigating incidents and providing professional reports.

Land surveys.

Land surveying is the art and science of determining or reestablishing the corners, lines, boundaries, and markers of real property based on recorded documents, historical evidence, and current standards of practice. This process identifies the exact location and layout of a property, its legal boundaries and the condition of any existing structures on the block. It can be of various forms as detailed below:

Cadastral surveys.

A cadastral survey is a type of land survey that defines and records the legal boundaries of a property. It is most commonly used to identify where one parcel of land ends and another begins, ensuring clarity and accuracy for property owners, buyers, developers, and government authorities. A cadastral survey may be required when:

• Buying or selling a property.
• Subdividing a block of land.
• Defining easements or access ways.
• Resolving boundary disputes.
• Registering land with the relevant land titles office.
• Seeking council approval for development.

The word “cadastral” is derived from cadaster. The word cadastre refers to a public record or register of property that includes parcel geometry, ownership, rights, and, in many cases, valuation. These surveys provide public land managers and the public with information essential to correctly determining ownership rights and privileges, and facilitating good land management decisions. A cadastral survey determines or retraces property boundaries (real property) and is closely associated with legal ownership and land registration. In simple terms, it charts and marks who owns what land, not only visually, but legally. Subdivisions, land sales, construction boundaries, and easement layouts all depend on cadastral work.

Subdivision surveys.

Land subdivision survey (commonly referred to as subdivision platting) is the process of splitting a tract of land into smaller parcels. This is mainly used to sell parts of the land or transfer its ownership or to get construction approval for parts of the land. These are also mainly used for land inheritance purposes to divide land among heirs/beneficiaries. Another major area of application is in real estate transactions.

Boundary surveys.

A boundary survey or boundary opening survey focuses specifically on locating and marking the limits of an individual property according to existing legal descriptions and physical evidence. It is typically performed for a private landowner or developer to establish or confirm boundaries for use, sale, or construction.

A cadastral survey, by contrast, encompasses boundary surveying but also involves the legal recording and registration of those boundaries within a broader land administration system. It connects the physical boundary work to ownership records, title documentation, and regulatory frameworks. 

In short, all cadastral surveys define boundaries, but not all boundary surveys are part of a cadastre. Cadastral work carries an added legal and administrative dimension, ensuring that boundaries are defensible not only in measurement, but in law.

Boundary opening surveys can be undertaken for various reasons, among them.

• Resolve boundary disputes with neighbors.
• Verify land title accuracy and plot size/shape/location.
• Replace lost corner mark stones.
• Ensure construction (fences, buildings) stays within legal limits and avoids encroachment.
• Identify access roads, easements, rights-of-way, and setbacks.

Engineering surveys.

An engineering survey is the process of measuring and mapping land to guide construction projects. It provides critical data about the land’s surface, boundaries, and structural elements, ensuring that designs are accurate and structures are built in the right location. Without engineering surveys, large-scale projects risk structural failures, costly mistakes, and legal disputes over boundaries. Several types of engineering surveys are used throughout different stages of a large construction project, most commonly the following:

Site analysis and feasibility surveys

Before construction begins, surveyors assess the land to determine whether it is suitable for the proposed project. This includes:

• Examining soil conditions, elevation, and natural drainage.
• Identifying potential obstacles such as underground utilities or protected land.
• Providing data to help planners decide if modifications are needed.

Construction setout surveys.

Also known as setout surveys or construction surveys, these ensure that construction follows the approved design. Surveyors mark out precise locations for foundations, roads, and utility lines to prevent mistakes.

Monitoring surveys.

Once construction is underway, surveyors continue to monitor progress and ensure everything aligns with the original design.

As-built surveys.

As-built surveys document the precise details of a construction project upon its completion, recording any variations from the initial plans. They provide a definitive record for future reference, compliance, and dispute resolution. As-built surveys allow engineers and construction professionals to understand the project’s final specifications.

Structural deformation and settlement surveys.

Over time, buildings and infrastructure can shift due to ground movement or environmental factors. Deformation surveys track any structural changes, allowing engineers to take action before problems escalate.

Deformation surveys.

Deformation surveying helps to establish if a geographical or manmade feature, such as a road, foundation, coastline or river, is changing shape. In deformation surveying, engineers record the three-dimensional coordinates of specific points. After some time has elapsed, they record the coordinates again to see if they have changed. A comparison of the two data sets can reveal if deformation or movement has occurred.

Topographic surveys.

Topographical surveys (topo surveys) detail the elevation and relief of the land, showing contours, grades, and features such as streams, buildings, and trees. These surveys are used in project planning and design phases to understand terrain characteristics fully. Land properties have both natural and artificial features such as trees, buildings, ditches, river sources, fences, etc. This survey helps to locate such features, which are necessary when planning to develop the vacant land. Topographic surveys are fundamental for the successful development of any site and provide developers, architects, and engineers with a detailed, accurate understanding of the land before any construction begins. By gaining an in-depth view of the site early on, developers can reduce future risks and avoid costly mistakes.

Underground utility surveys.

An underground utility survey (underground utility mapping) is a crucial process that identifies and maps hidden infrastructure beneath the ground. It helps locate essential utilities such as electrical cables, water mains, and telecommunication networks. Conducting such a survey before excavation or construction prevents damage to underground services, reduces project delays, avoids legal disputes, and ensures site safety. An underground utility survey is typically conducted before construction, excavation, or redevelopment projects to avoid accidental damage to existing utilities such as water pipes, sewage systems, and telecommunications cables. Without a proper survey, construction projects face significant risks, including financial losses, utility service disruptions, and potential legal consequences. A single miscalculated excavation can lead to widespread power outages or water supply interruptions, causing severe inconvenience and hazards.

Building condition surveys.

A building condition survey is a detailed physical assessment of a property’s current state, identifying defects, maintenance needs, and estimated repair costs for strategic planning, property transactions, or compliance. It covers structures, exteriors, interiors, and mechanical/electrical systems, providing a roadmap for repairs and long-term asset management. It typically delivers a broad overview used for facility maintenance planning, property transactions, or compliance verification.

Structural surveys.

Contrary to building condition survey, a structural survey focuses specifically on the building’s structural integrity and load-bearing elements, examining foundations, beams, columns, and walls to assess potential structural failures, movement, or deterioration. While a building condition survey might note visible structural issues, structural surveys employ specialized testing and analysis to evaluate core structural elements, often requiring destructive testing or specialized equipment to assess hidden components. As such, structural surveys are typically conducted when specific structural problems are suspected or before major renovations that might impact the building’s structural integrity.

Valuation surveys.

Valuation surveying is the professional process of determining the present worth of assets, primarily real estate, land, buildings; for various purposes such as sale, compensation, mortgage, investment, insurance, or legal matters. It involves inspection of properties, analysis of market data, and application of approved valuation techniques to produce a formal report providing expert opinions crucial for financial decisions, ensuring the property’s value aligns with its intended use and market conditions. In engineering, valuation surveying is widely applied during compensation of project affected persons (PAPs). It bridges the gap between physical assets and financial markets, providing objective, expert opinions that underpin major property transactions and financial planning. The opinions of valuation surveyors are sought for purposes such as sale, purchase, secured lending, book purposes, property rates assessment, compensation, insurance, development appraisals, premium and ground rent, and stamp duty. The valuer’s role is to position the land or property in the prevailing market conditions, returning what the market provides under normal circumstances.

Quantity surveys.

Quantity surveying is the systematic process of measuring, estimating, and managing construction costs. It includes calculating the cost of materials, labor and equipment, controlling expenses during construction, and managing cost changes as the construction project evolves. It also covers contract administration, benchmarking construction costs, and preparing lifecycle cost plans that account for the long-term financial impact within the built environment. It is vital for the following reasons.

• Project cost control. Tracks spending against budget and flags potential overruns early.
• Value management. Ensures the building project delivers what was promised, at the expected quality, for the agreed price.
• Construction risk management. Identifies pricing risks in contracts, materials, and changes before they affect the project cost.

Quantity surveyors analyze engineering drawings, site data, and client needs to estimate total project costs. These estimates form the financial foundation and shape decisions on scope, materials, and feasibility. In addition, they do prepare detailed bills of quantities (BOQs), cost estimations, and material schedules prior to construction. During project implementation, they ensure cost control by monitoring and controlling project expenses, identifying savings, and ensuring projects meet budget, quality, and legal standards; thus ensuring value for money for the client.