I’m a geospatial engineer. You might be familiar with the term “surveyor,” and while that touches upon what I do, my role encompasses a much wider spectrum.
At its core, geospatial engineering is the science of precisely defining the spatial location of objects through meticulous measurements of distances and angles. But it’s much more than just numbers!
My work involves the comprehensive process of collecting, managing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data.
The goal? To present this information in a way that is directly relevant and actionable for decision-makers and users across diverse sectors, from healthcare and transportation to utilities, agriculture, education, and beyond. It’s a fascinating field where we delve into the world of spatial information.
My work involves a fascinating progression. Following data collection and the meticulous definition of measurements, the crucial stages of analysis and visualization take center stage. This process empowers us to derive meaningful insights and make informed decisions. Furthermore, precise calculations are integral to our work, enabling the establishment of accurate positions for points, beacons and boundaries.
This is the essence of what I do, and I find it absolutely fulfilling.
As a geospatial engineer, I expertly delineate property boundaries through cadastral surveys, meticulously stake out levels for crucial infrastructure projects like road construction (engineering surveys), and conduct detailed topographical surveys, capturing essential terrain data for informed site planning.
Beyond these foundational aspects, I also gather and analyze thematic data across diverse sectors, including health, education, trade and transport, utilizing various data collection methodologies.
This holistic approach truly embodies the essence of geospatial engineering – a discipline with far-reaching impact.
One of my most memorable professional achievements was achieving a traverse closure of approximately 0.999999999. While this might seem technical to those outside the field, this level of accuracy, attained after persevering through challenging fieldwork conditions, is incredibly rewarding in a profession that fundamentally values precision. In geospatial engineering, meticulous attention to detail is paramount.
We dot the ‘i’s and cross the ‘t’s.
The profession is highly regulated. Following my enrollment as a graduate member of the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya in 2018, I understand the importance of practicing under the guidance and supervision of a licensed surveyor. I extend my sincere gratitude to my supervisor and senior colleague, Mr. Charles Ndegwa, for his invaluable support.
What does a day in the field look like? First and foremost, a safety gear checklist: field boots, a surveyor’s hat, an oversized helmet or dust coat depending on the site. The agenda is to keep safe and protect yourself from injury.
One of the most memorable field trips was in Nyeri, in the valleys of Mweiga hills! A scenery to behold and a very coveted location to own a piece of land. Bordering a riparian and right at the bottom of the hill, you can imagine what a defining exercise this is for a young surveyor tasked with delineating a 10-acre parcel boundary!
I quickly first had to define the riparian boundary as per the map, and being a general boundary, the centerline marks the boundary of the parcel of land. The upper part is uphill, and thus a line of sight from the bottom of the hill up the hill has to be maintained to clearly align the boundary beacons! While at it, the breeze and the greenery are a sight to behold! This neutralized the heavy tasks involved! Sounds like work and play? Yes! A surveyor’s field day can be task-filled and rejuvenating at the same time! What a career! What a splendid experience!
Being a geospatial engineer often means being a local/global trotter! You not only behold scenery but also meet people in different professions, i.e., lawyers, engineers, architects, property owners and developers, environmentalists, urban planners, among many! I have had the pleasure of being part of multi-sector projects that involve a working consortium of different professionals ranging from urban planners, agriculturalists, environmentalists, transport engineers, sociologists, economists, among others!
Our role is critically centered on collecting, managing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data in a manner that can be used and interpreted by co-professionals in the consortium! Be it topographical and control surveys for base maps, social-economic mapping and correlated geospatial analysis for urban planning, or land use and land cover analysis for environmental and agricultural research, we see development projects come to fruition. It’s interesting how geospatial engineering skill sets are a nexus of many other disciplines, and a geospatial engineer’s input is invaluable!
Yet again, what a career, what an experience!
How many ladies’ geospatial engineers do you know, “surveyor”?
It’s true that the field of geospatial engineering, particularly surveying, could benefit from greater representation of women. Breaking barriers in this traditionally male-dominated profession presents both significant triumphs and considerable challenges. Nevertheless, I remain dedicated and engaged in this dynamic field.
As a local trooper on a normal surveyor’s field day, I have been challenged! This is not a technical challenge, not at all, but a gender challenge.
“Are you a surveyor?” Yes, I am.
“You don’t look like one…”
I calmly ask, “How so?”
The question has come up a million times!
I am yet to understand the misconception of how lady surveyors look! I am one of them. In a field that’s highly technical and has extraneous work conditions, we thrive past perception, to focus on deliverables and output!
That’s what defines a surveyor, not gender! So yes! We have lady geospatial engineers!
The geospatial world is dynamically evolving each day.
Geo-ICT, Machine Learning, Geo-AI, Big Data, Spatial Analytics, among others, are becoming trendy areas of focus. My aspiration is to evolve with the ever-evolving technology. Continuous learning and industrial collaboration are among the many adaptive mechanisms to foster.
