SITE SURVEYING & PLANNING

SEMESTER IV
 Unit 1

INTRODUCTION

Class 1: Definition of Plot, Site, Land and Region

Class 2: Units of measurements, Reconnaissance and Need for surveying.

PLOT
- means the Area of contiguous parcel of land enclosed by definite boundaries over which the

applicant has legal right for development.(or)

- as a continuous portion of land held in own ownership--in square feet or square meter or
grounds

- A measured piece of land /ACTUAL LOT

SITE
- Segments of land with artificial boundaries and there is a human intention to assign a land for a
specific purpose In square meter, grounds, acre or hectare.
- The place where a structure or group of structures was, is, or is to be located.
- A plot of land prepared for or underlying a structure or development.
- The location of a property /Intended use of property

LAND
- Simply defined as a solid part of the earth surface.
- It is generally understood that it is large in areas.
- It can be natural or man made intervention for generating certain economic activity.
- Acres or hectares – Agriculture land, Waste land, Forest land, etc.
 REGION:
Defined as the part of country.
- Space, place of more or less definitely marked boundaries or characteristics
– Natural features – Hilly Region, Coastal region, etc.
– Social factors – Tribal region
– Economical – Slum area, Industrial area
• Planned in acres, hectares and Square kilometer
• Types of Plans for various regions – Regional plan, Master plan, detailed development plan, city corporate
plan, integrated urban development plan, action plan etc.

(OR)

• A large, usually continuous segment of a surface or space

• A large, indefinite portion of the earth's surface.
• A specified district or territory.
• An area, division, or district of administration. Also:
• A land surface with common geographical or topographical characteristics.
 UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS

• There are 2 types of measurements used in the building

construction field.
• They are
•Metric System
•Feet & Inches System
• Land measurement is the general concept describing the
application and theory of measurement of land.
• Land measurement is An Integral Quantitative Element
Of Surveying.
• The units used in India for land measurement are different
from those in the western world.
• The most common land measurement units in India
interpolate Acres, Bighas, Kattha, Biswa etc.
TABLE OF MEASUREMENT OF LAND

A. Square Measurement
1 Hectare = 2.5 Acres
1 Acre = 40 Gunthas
1 Guntha = 121 sq.yards = 101.17 sq.metres
1 Guntha = 33 ft. x 33 ft. = 1089 sq.feet
1 Acre = 4840 sq.yards
1 Acre = 4067.23 sq.metres
1 Acre = 43,560 sq.feet
1 sq. yard = 0.8361 sq.metre
1 sq. metre = 1.190 sq.yards
1 sq. yard = 9 sq. feet
1 sq. metre = 10.76 sq.feet

B. Lines Measurement
1 Kilometre = 0.621 mile
1 Mile = 1.609 Kilometres
1 Kilometre = 1000 metres
1 Metre = 39.37 feet

AGRICULTURAL UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS

RECONNAISSANCE

• A preliminary survey, usually executed rapidly and at relatively low cost, prior to mapping in detail
and with greater precision.

• Preliminary inspection of the area and to prepare key plan to show boundaries, main features,
position of chain lines and stations duly lettered and numbered.

• Visual inspection of the site - to gain a feel with the site, the locality – Photographs, basic mapping,
digital videos, etc.

• In reconnaissance, studying existing maps is as important as the actual fieldwork.

• Field reconnaissance provides you with an opportunity for checking the actual conditions on the
ground and for noting any discrepancies in the maps or aerial photographs
RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY
• A Recon- Naissance Survey provides data that enables design engineers to study the advantages and disadvantages of a variety of
routes and then to determine which routes are feasible. It begins by finding all existing maps that show the area to be reconnoitered.

• In reconnaissance, studying existing maps is as important as the actual fieldwork.

– Studying these maps and aerial photographs, if any exist, will often eliminate an
unfavorable route from further consideration, thus saving our reconnaissance field party much time and effort.

– Contour maps give essential information about the relief of an area.

– Aerial photographs provide a quick means for preparing valuable sketches and overlays for your field party.

– Direct aerial observation gives you an overview of an area that speeds up later ground
reconnaissance if the region has already been mapped.

• Begin the study of a map

– By marking the limits of the area to be reconnoitered and the specified terminals to be connected by the highway.

– Note whether or not there are any existing routes.

– Note ridgelines, water courses, mountain gaps, and similar control features.

– Look for terrain that will permit moderate grades without too much excavating.

– Use simplicity in alignment and have a good balance of cuts and fills; or

– use a profile arrangement that makes it possible to fill depressions with the cut taken from nearby high places.

– Mark the routes that seem to fit the needs and that should be reconnoitered in the field.

• From the map study, determine grades, estimate the amount of clearing required, and locate routes that will keep excavation to a
minimum by taking advantage of terrain conditions.

• Mark stream crossings and marshy areas as possible locations for fords, bridges, or culverts.
Have the reconnaissance field party follow the route or routes marked earlier during the map study.
FIELD RECONNAISSANCE

• provides you with an opportunity for checking the actual conditions on the ground and for
noting any discrepancies in the maps or aerial photographs.

- Make notes of soil conditions, availability of construction materials, such as sand or

gravel, unusual grade or alignment problems, and requirements for clearing and grubbing.

- Take photographs or make sketches of reference points, control points, structure sites,

terrain obstacles, landslides, washouts, or any other unusual circumstances.

- Reconnaissance survey party will usually carry lightweight instruments that are not precise.

- Determine by compass the direction and angles.

- Determine the approximate elevations by an aneroid barometer or altimeter.

- Use an Abney hand level (clinometer) to estimate elevations and to project level lines.

– Other useful items to carry are pocket tapes, binoculars, pedometer and pace tallies, cameras, watches, maps,
and field notebooks.

– Keep design considerations in mind while running a reconnaissance survey.

– Remember that future operations may require further expansion of the route system presently being designed.

– Locate portions of the new route, whenever possible, along roads or trails that already exist.

– Locate them on stable, easily drained, high-bearing-strength soils.

– Avoid swamps, marshes, low-bearing-strength soils, sharp curves, and routes requiring large amounts of earthmoving.

– Keep the need for bridges and drainage structures to a minimum.

– The report for the reconnaissance field party must be as complete as possible; it provides the major data that makes the
selection of the most feasible route or routes possible.
 SURVEYING is the technique and science of accurately determining the
terrestrial or three-dimensional space position of points and the distances
and angles between them

Site survey

To ensure all characteristics are accurately marked and plotted in the forms of drawings

What will a survey include or indicate?

• Site boundary dimensions – shape
-Site topography – by chain survey, Plane table survey, Theodolite survey
• Accessibility from public roads
• All natural elements – trees, water bodies, etc.
• All manmade characteristics
• Service lines
• Present and future land use
• City and town planning - Demography, infrastructure, economy, social and cultural
LAND SURVEY
1. What is a land survey?
A land survey is a report in the form of a map showing the location of a parcel of real property.
The map will also show the location of visible improvements on and adjacent to the property
2. Why are land surveys so important?
Prior to the closing on your new home purchase, a land survey provides important information to
the buyer. The survey map will show the limits of the land you are purchasing and identify any
conflicts in your deed. It will also allow you to see if improvements such as driveways, fences,
wells or even dwellings encroach over the property lines. Any existing property corner markers
found by the surveyor will also be shown on the map.
3. How is a land survey performed?
The land surveyor's responsibility is to locate on the ground the boundaries of the land described
in the deed. The surveyor also examines and maps various visible and apparent man-made and
natural features as required for the purpose of the survey. Recorded deeds and maps are
investigated along with the information and documentation supplied to the surveyor by the owner
or title company. Additionally, extensive data gathering is preformed at and around the site.
WHY DO WE NEED A SURVEY?
•While the plot map attached to your preliminary title report will show the boundaries of the property, it will not show where the
house is located on the property or whether there are any encroachments on the property (such as a neighbor's tree, driveway, or
fence).
•A plot map is a subdivision map prepared by developers when the tract of land and parcels were first created and will not show
which easements on the property could affect legal title.
•To make these determinations, you will need a survey.
•A survey will show you exactly where the property lines are located and whether there are any building restrictions affecting
your rights.
•Having this information may be important if you have plans for adding a pool or a fence to the property, for example.
•Apart from wanting a survey to determine the location of buildings and easements on the property, you may have plans to divide
up the property at a later date.
•Let's say you are buying a house located on several acres of land. You have determined that local zoning law allows you to split the
property into individual parcels or lots.
•If you think you may consider splitting the property at some later date, having a survey in hand will help you make those decisions
when that time may come.
•While surveys tend to be expensive, you can cut the cost down by asking the previous owner if there is an existing survey which
you could look at, or asking for the previous surveyor's name, so you can request that the old survey be up dated.
•You can also visit the official surveyor in the government land records office in your county, and ask one of the staff to help you with
any boundary or easement questions you might have.
•Most surveys do not include staking the corners of the property. If you want this done, be sure to ask for this to be done at the
time the survey is performed.
WHEN DO WE NEED SURVEY ?

1. When building, Land Surveying often used to determine drainage, setbacks, and proper
planning by many.
2. Before land is divided. When a lending institution requires a survey for a mortgage.
3. Before building a fence, building, shed, or anything close to an unknown property line.
4. Before timber is to be cut near a property line.
5. When purchasing title insurance.
6. When applying for a "Torrens Title" to "register" you and your land title.
7. Whenever a boundary line or corner is unknown or in disagreement.
8. To settle a boundary dispute of some type.
9. When you think you might have an encroachment on your land.
10. When clearing or doing construction in "wetland" areas in the jurisdiction of the Corps of
Engineers.
WHEN SHOULD WE GET A SURVEY DONE?
1.) Before you buy. Be sure the property you are buying has a current survey. Be sure you know that what you are buying is located
within the parameters of your legal description. Contrary to buyer beliefs, title insurance does not insure for encroachments.
2.) Prior to construction. The high costs of construction materials and installing septic systems should be reason enough to get a
survey before beginning a project. A survey assures you that your new improvements are being built within your property
boundaries. Be sure that your structure is in compliance to local government-required building setbacks. Be especially careful when
building adjacent to government lands as they may require the removal of any trespass. Do not depend on your building contractor
to determine your building location in relation to your lot lines unless you are very sure where they are.
3.) Do you have legal access into your property? Legal road access is another area that often arises during a real estate transfer. Our
area is integrated with all types of road corridors going in and out of rural parcels. These roads often cross adjoining parcels and may
or may not have a legal easement to do so. Easements, when written properly, identify centerline location, width, grantor, grantee,
transfer rights, and uses. Attorneys and/or title companies will take a very close look at this when interpreting marketability of title.
4.) Before you sell. Providing your realtor with a current survey will definitely improve your chances for a quick, trouble-free
transaction. Often, buyers make offers contingent on a survey. This not only adds time to the situation but if any problems arise as a
result of the survey, you may lose a good, qualified buyer. Knowing the accurate locations of the property boundaries will also make
for a much better presentation by your agent when showing the property.
5.) Taxable acreage verification and shoreline footage. At times we have been asked to verify the acreage of a parcel in comparison
to assessed acreage. We require certified surveys in order to make taxable acreage adjustments.
6.) Encroachments. As people build, remodel and expand, the possibilities of building on your neighbor's property or your neighbor
building on yours increases. If you suspect the location of your adjoiner's improvements there is only one way to prove it: get a
survey. Suspicion carries no weight in land boundary disputes. A certified survey showing the locations of the trespass in relation to
the boundary is the first step toward resolution.