Land surveying is crucial in a growing city like Dhaka, where property lines, public projects, and urban planning rely on accurate measurements. But for surveyors on the ground, Dhaka poses more than a few obstacles, from dense neighbourhoods and legal tangles to technology limitations.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at some of the main challenges facing land surveyors in Dhaka, along with insights into how they’re finding creative ways to tackle these issues.
Importance of Land Surveying in Dhaka
Dhaka is one of the world’s most densely populated cities, with infrastructure expanding at a breakneck pace to meet demand. In this context, land surveyors play a vital role by ensuring that property boundaries, construction sites, and public land divisions are clearly defined and documented.
Without accurate surveys, legal disputes can arise, projects may be delayed, and public safety could be compromised. However, Dhaka’s unique conditions make it one of the more challenging environments for surveyors.
Key Challenges Faced by Surveyors in Dhaka
#1. Urban Congestion
Dhaka’s dense population means there’s rarely a free patch of land where surveyors can set up easily. Small alleyways, tight spaces, and crowded streets make it challenging to conduct field measurements. Surveyors often find themselves competing with everyday foot and vehicle traffic, which can complicate their tasks.
Setting up equipment like tripods, total stations, and laser levels in such environments is not only tricky but can also put both the surveyors and the equipment at risk of accidents or damage.
#2. Rapid Urbanisation and Unplanned Development
Dhaka’s rapid expansion is a double-edged sword for land surveyors. On one hand, it means more demand for their services. On the other, unplanned development leads to a lot of overlap and ambiguity in property boundaries.
New structures often pop up with little regard for surrounding areas, which can lead to overlapping claims, boundary disputes, and difficult terrain for surveyors. In fast-growing areas, surveyors might even have to return to a site within months for updated measurements because of new developments.
#3. Outdated and Incomplete Land Records
Dhaka’s land records are notoriously outdated, with some documents dating back decades without updates or digital versions. Many surveyors encounter situations where records are either missing, incomplete or contain errors that don’t reflect the current landscape.
This lack of accurate data makes it challenging for surveyors to establish precise boundaries, which can have a domino effect on local development projects and legal proceedings. Digitisation of records is slowly underway, but until then, surveyors have to contend with patchy information.
#4. Legal Complications and Property Disputes
In Dhaka, property disputes are common, and land surveyors are often caught in the middle of these conflicts. Multiple parties may lay claim to the same parcel of land, or adjacent property owners may disagree on boundary lines. Surveyors must act as neutral parties while also dealing with potentially hostile stakeholders.
Such disputes not only delay the surveying process but can also create personal safety concerns for the surveyors. Some surveyors report situations where they’re asked to “favour” one party, which can create ethical challenges and affect the credibility of their work.
#5. Technological Constraints and Resource Limitations
Surveying is a tech-intensive job, requiring specialised equipment for precise measurements. However, access to advanced surveying technology can be limited in Dhaka due to cost, lack of availability, and inadequate training resources.
Not all surveying firms have the latest tools like GPS systems, drones, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which are becoming standard in other parts of the world. Without these technologies, surveyors may struggle to achieve the high accuracy needed in a complex urban environment like Dhaka.
#6. Environmental and Climatic Challenges
Dhaka’s climate, especially the monsoon season, brings its own set of challenges. Heavy rains can turn surveying sites into mud-filled hazards, make equipment setup difficult, and even obscure visibility. Flooding is another issue, as it can temporarily alter the landscape, making it difficult for surveyors to conduct accurate assessments. During the monsoon season, surveyors often have to delay work or face additional risks to get the job done.
Solutions and Adaptations: How Surveyors Cope with Dhaka’s Challenges
Despite these challenges, surveyors in Dhaka have come up with various strategies to adapt. Here are a few ways they tackle these unique hurdles:
#1. Using Portable and Compact Equipment
In response to the cramped conditions, surveyors increasingly rely on smaller, portable devices that can be set up and moved quickly. Tools like handheld GPS units and mobile GIS devices are easier to manage in crowded environments and make the process less intrusive for residents.
#2. Adopting Drone Technology for Aerial Surveys
Drones are an increasingly popular solution for conducting surveys in densely packed areas. They allow surveyors to capture accurate data without having to be physically present on each section of land. While not yet standard across all firms, drones are gradually making their way into the toolkit of Dhaka’s surveyors.
#3. Collaboration with Local Authorities
Many surveyors are now working closely with municipal authorities to access updated information and resolve disputes. This cooperation helps speed up the surveying process and provides surveyors with more reliable data to base their work on. It’s a win-win, as it also helps the government maintain better land records.
#4. Investing in Training for New Technologies
Some forward-thinking firms are investing in staff training for advanced surveying technologies. By building technical skills, they’re equipping their teams to handle complex projects more efficiently and with greater accuracy. Such investments not only benefit surveyors but also raise the standards for the entire industry.
#5. Working During Off-Peak Hours
To manage the challenges of urban congestion, surveyors sometimes conduct their work during less busy hours, such as early mornings or weekends. This strategy minimises interference from daily traffic and allows surveyors to complete their tasks with fewer interruptions.
Conclusion
The challenges faced by land surveyors in Dhaka may be daunting, but their work is essential for the city’s growth and organisation. By overcoming these obstacles, surveyors help lay the foundation for everything from new infrastructure projects to individual property rights.
With advances in technology and increasing cooperation with local authorities, Dhaka’s surveyors are finding ways to make their work more efficient and reliable. As Dhaka continues to grow, the role of land surveyors will remain crucial in creating a well-defined, accessible, and organised urban landscape.
