Future of Surveying Engineering—a Perspective from Greece

Abstract

With the introduction of recent technological developments, many of the complex techniques and methodologies, being the expertise of surveying engineers, have become obsolete. On the other hand, there has been a significant involvement in the production and management of spatial data, in a redefined field of activities called geoinformation or geomatics, which has been proposed as the new paradigm for surveying engineering. These developments have also influenced surveying professionals in Greece, who face an increased competition from other disciplines. It seems that professional rights no longer play such an important role, a thing that many surveyors see as a threat. There is a pressing need for a new role for surveying professionals in the future. This paper questions the suitability of geomatics to be the new paradigm, and advocates the importance of building a different kind of academic environment, where new concepts and ideas will be developed.