Concerns over the dramatic consequences of climate change and global warming and the growing number of countries that have committed to net zero targets in recent years (with the UK being one of them) have put stakeholders in all fields and domains on high alert, prompting them to reassess their operations and embrace greener practices. Unsurprisingly, the construction industry has also taken note of the urgent need to protect the environment and has made sustainability a focal point in industry-related endeavours.
By its very nature, the building and construction sector uses massive amounts of natural resources and is one of the biggest contributors to global pollution, accounting for approximately 37% of all carbon emissions worldwide, according to the latest estimations. In the current context, building sustainably has become a matter of necessity, not choice.
Towards a Greener Building Sector
Gone are the days when buildings would rise tall and proud with no regard for the surrounding environment. Although the sector is under pressure to keep up with housing demand and constantly innovate, it has to do so whilst being mindful of the ecosystems it impacts. These days, the competition is no longer about who builds the tallest or most imposing building. The focus has shifted from breaking height records to reducing carbon footprints and creating environmentally friendly structures with the future in mind, and there’s an army of specialists who work tirelessly to reach these sustainability objectives.
Among them, land surveyors are some of the most essential and yet underrated professionals to bring their contribution to the field. So, in this blog, we’re going to explore how land surveying fits into the sustainable construction equation and how these unsung heroes help advance the green transition in the construction industry.
Land Surveying Explained
For those who are not familiar with construction processes, we should start by explaining what land surveying entails. The concept refers to the science and techniques employed to determine the various characteristics of a specific piece of land with great accuracy by assessing the position of different points and the distance and angles between them. Land surveys also collect data related to features included in the natural ecosystems, such as rivers, lakes, forests, etc. The measurements obtained through these methods are used to create maps, establish land boundaries, and successfully execute construction projects.
Land surveyors employ different technologies and tools to learn about land features and gather the information they require to create these graphic layouts. While conventional tools such as chains, tapes, compasses, and level instruments are still being widely used during the surveying process, nowadays, land surveyors also benefit from advanced equipment and cutting-edge technologies, including 3D scanning, drone-based mapping, GNSS/GPS receivers and lasers from reputable providers like Celtic Surveys to facilitate and streamline tasks that were once time-consuming and labour-intensive.
The Role of Land Surveying in Protecting the Environment
While the work of land surveyors might seem straightforward, one may still have difficulties understanding how their efforts can support green initiatives in the construction sector, so let’s take a more in-depth look at the correlation.
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
While conducting their topographical surveys, professionals in the field also gather important information about the current state of local ecosystems and natural habitats. This data is crucial for putting together environmental impact assessments, also known as EIAs. These studies can help determine the positive and negative effects that a construction project could have on the environment and the local flora and fauna and ensure all work is carried out in accordance with relevant environmental regulations and requirements.
With this information on hand, decision-makers and construction companies can adjust their plans and find adequate solutions that can help them mitigate potential disruptions to the environment, so that endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems are not affected.
Sustainable Use of Land
Thanks to the detailed maps and spatial data that land surveyors provide through their assessments, they pave the path for more sustainable use of the land and the creation of eco-friendly infrastructures.
Urban planners have the possibility to identify suitable areas where they can develop different projects while also being able to avoid other zones that might not be a good fit, such as flood-prone areas or lands with a high degree of biodiversity that need to be protected. This leads to a more equitable spread of natural elements and resources such as green spaces, bodies of water, and other resources and a more balanced integration with urban developments.
Supporting Restoration Projects
Apart from being involved in construction plans, land surveyors also engage in landscape restation projects as they are able to gather the data that ecologists require for their rehabilitation efforts, such as vegetation density, wildlife population, and ecological connectivity.
Just like old buildings can be brought back to life with the help of historians, architects and the use of innovative restoration techniques, natural areas that have been degraded by human activities can also be regenerated and their biological communities rehabilitated. Ecological restoration projects can refer to reforestation, revegetation, repopulating ecosystems with native species, habitat enhancement, and so on.
Better Resource Management
With accurate land surveys at their disposal, construction companies benefit from accurate measurements so they don’t run the risk of unintentionally entering protected areas such as wetlands and forests and causing damage to the environment. This also gives policymakers a much-needed insight into regions within-value resources, which results in better management of these elements and the implementation of adequate conservation measures.
Final thoughts
Although many would be quick to brush off land surveying as a process with no actual implications for construction sustainability, when you look beyond the surface, it becomes clear there’s a direct connection between the two. As such, land surveyors should be recognised for the massive contribution they bring to environmental conservation, as they provide data that is vital in protecting natural ecosystems and helping the construction industry achieve its sustainability goals.