What is City Surveying?
City surveying is the process of collecting data used to plan and develop new cities or townships. It involves mapping out street roads, property boundaries, water and sanitary pipes, electrical lines, and telephone lines, among other development works. This data is then used to assess the city’s infrastructure needs and create a plan that best serves the city’s population.
What is Involved in City Surveying?
City surveying involves a comprehensive range of development works necessary for the successful building of a new city or township. These development works can include street roads, property boundaries, water and sanitary pipes location, electrical lines, telephone lines, and other infrastructure requirements. This data is used to assess the city’s infrastructure needs and create a plan that best serves the city’s population.
Why is City Surveying Important?
City surveying is essential for the successful building of a new city or township. The data collected from the survey will provide an accurate assessment of the city’s infrastructure needs and help create a plan that best serves the city’s population. Without such data, it would be difficult to develop a city that meets the needs of its citizens.
Surveying Maps for a Township
Map Preparation for City Surveying
For any city surveying, it is essential to prepare the right maps for each of the systems. This includes a topographic map, a street map, a property map, a water supply and sanitary map, an electrification map, and a telephone line map. Each map should be designed in such a way that a person can easily identify the particular point that they are looking for. To ensure the accuracy of the maps, surveying should be done by the concerned departments or authorities for each system.
Topographic Map
A topographic map is a two-dimensional representation of the physical features of an area. It includes contours, water bodies, roads, and other features, giving a detailed overview of the terrain. This type of map is essential for city surveying as it provides a clear view of the area.
Street Map
A street map is a detailed representation of the streets and roads of a particular area. It is a useful tool for city surveying as it can help identify the exact locations of the streets and roads in the city.
Property Map
A property map is a detailed representation of the properties in a particular area. It is used to identify the boundaries of properties and to determine the legal ownership of the land. This type of map is important for city surveying as it can help identify the location of properties.
Water Supply and Sanitary Map
A water supply and sanitary map is a detailed representation of the water supply and sanitation systems of a particular area. It is essential for city surveying as it can help identify the location of the water supply and sanitation systems.
Electrification Map
An electrification map is a detailed representation of the electricity systems of a particular area. It is important for city surveying as it can help identify the location of the electricity lines and systems.
Telephone Line Map
A telephone line map is a detailed representation of the telephone lines of a particular area. It is essential for city surveying as it can help identify the location of the telephone lines.
Instruments for Surveying City or Township
What Instruments Are Used for City Surveying?
City surveying requires the use of a range of instruments to accurately measure distances and angles. These instruments include a transit theodolite with tripod, leveling instrument with tripod, plane table instruments, leveling staff, ranging rods, pegs, optical square, arrows, metric chain, metallic tape, and invar tape.
Transit Theodolite with Tripod
The transit theodolite is an instrument used to measure angles in both the vertical and horizontal planes. It is mounted on a tripod for stability and accuracy.
Leveling Instrument with Tripod
The leveling instrument is used for measuring differences in height and elevation. It is mounted on a tripod for stability and accuracy.
Plane Table Instruments
Plane table instruments are used to measure the coordinates of points in the horizontal plane. These instruments include the alidade, a device that combines a telescope and a compass to measure angles, and the plane table, a large flat table used to measure angles and distances.
Leveling Staff
The leveling staff is a long, thin rod used to measure differences in elevation. It is typically used in conjunction with a leveling instrument.
Ranging Rods, Pegs, Optical Square, Arrows, etc.
Ranging rods, pegs, optical squares, arrows, and other similar instruments are used to measure distances and angles in the horizontal plane.
Metric Chain
A metric chain is a flexible chain used to measure distances in the horizontal plane.
Metallic Tape
Metallic tape is a flexible tape used to measure distances in the horizontal plane.
Invar Tape
Invar tape is a flexible tape made of a special alloy that is used to measure distances in the horizontal plane.
Preparation of Different Maps for a City
Topographic Map Preparation
DIVIDING THE AREA INTO SECTORS
In the preparation of topographic maps, the whole area to be built is divided into various sectors. Each sector is enclosed by a polygon that is connected at their common sides.
CLOSED TRAVERSING
In each sector, closed traversing is conducted using theodolite. This is done to measure the angles and distances in the enclosed sector.
PLANE TABLE SURVEYING
Plane table surveying is then used to locate roads, parks, lakes and other interior details within the sector.
FLY LEVELING METHOD
On the whole area, some important points or constant points are noted and reduced levels (RL’s) are arranged at those points. This is done by Fly leveling method.
CONTOUR SURVEY
If there are any depressed areas such as valleys, lakes and high-rise areas like hills, then contour survey is conducted using tachometer method or plane table method.
INDICATING THE NATURE OF THE GROUND
In the map, the nature of ground is indicated by different markings or colorings or hatchings etc.
FINAL MAP
Finally, the maps of all sectors are combined to make one overall map that shows the topographic details of the whole area.
Street Map Preparation
How to Prepare a Street Map
Street maps are prepared at a much larger scale than topographic maps. The process of preparing a street map involves splitting the area into smaller sectors, surveying each sector with a plane table, and then noting the details of each street. This includes street names, road networks, and the names of the roads. Benchmarks are also included at various points along the streets to provide future reference points, which are located using fly leveling.
Advantages of a Street Map
Street maps offer a variety of advantages, including providing more detailed information than a topographic map. Since they are prepared at a larger scale, they provide more accurate information about the area being mapped. Street maps also provide the names of streets and roads, and they can be used to plan routes and locate points of interest. Additionally, street maps can be used to identify any potential hazards or obstacles that may be in the area.
Benefits of Using Street Maps
Street maps are a valuable tool for navigating an area and finding points of interest. They are also useful for planning routes and ensuring that drivers are aware of any potential hazards. Additionally, street maps can be used to identify landmarks, such as churches, parks, schools, and other points of interest. Furthermore, street maps can be used to identify potential construction sites or areas that may be undergoing changes.
Property Map Preparation
WHAT IS A PROPERTY MAP?
A property map is a large-scale map that outlines the boundaries of public and private properties based on detailed surveys. The boundaries are established using plane table surveying and are marked with plot numbers, premises numbers, and other data that help to identify the area. By studying the property map, one can gain an understanding of the boundaries of a particular area.
HOW IS PROPERTY MAP CREATED?
Property maps are created through the process of plane table surveying, which involves dividing the area into parts and taking measurements of each section. This data is then used to create a map that outlines the boundaries of the property. The surveyed information is marked on the map and can help to identify the area.
WHAT CAN BE GAINED BY STUDYING A PROPERTY MAP?
By studying a property map, one can gain an understanding of the boundaries of a particular area. This information can be used to identify the property, as well as to create a plan for development or construction purposes. Property maps can also be used to resolve boundary disputes and other legal issues.
Water Supply and Sanitary Map Preparation
Water Supply Pipes Network
Generally, water supply pipes or sanitary pipes are situated beneath the ground and a map is made to depict the entire network. This map is created on top of a street map and makes it easier to pinpoint the exact location of water supply points. Conventional lines are used to represent the pipes, with certain locations such as inlets, outlets, purification points, valves, manholes, and inspection chambers symbolized by specific symbols.
Locating Points of Water Supply
The map of the water supply pipes network enables easy location of the necessary points of water supply on any street or house. This allows users to quickly identify the exact spot where the water supply is located. Additionally, the map also features symbols that represent important locations such as inlets, outlets, purification points, valves, manholes, and inspection chambers.
Electrification Map Preparation
Representing Electrical Lines in Street Maps
Electrical lines are an integral part of the network of streets and roads in a city. They are typically represented by conventional lines on maps, however they may also be distinguished by using different colors. In some areas, the electric cable network is arranged in the air using concrete columns or poles, and these are also represented by conventional lines that indicate their location. Key points such as supply points and transformer locations are indicated with specific symbols.
Various Colours Used to Represent Electrical Lines
The use of different colors on maps is an effective way to identify and differentiate electrical lines from other utilities such as water supply and sanitary lines. Each color is described in the map, and this allows the user to quickly and easily identify the electrical lines.
Representing Electric Cables Using Poles and Columns
When electric cables are arranged in the air using poles and columns, this arrangement needs to be represented on the map. Conventional lines are used to show the location of the electric cables, and symbols are used to indicate important points such as supply points and transformer locations.
Telephone Line Map Preparation
Representing Telephone Cable Lines in City Maps
When creating a city map, it is important to represent telephone cable lines in the same way as water supply lines and electric lines. This is done by laying these lines underground and representing them with different colored conventional lines on the map. Furthermore, important points are represented with specific symbols.
Submitting and Implementing the City Map
Once the city map is prepared with all the necessary details, it is submitted to the development authority of the city. This authority then works with the concerned departments such as the municipality, electricity board and telecommunications departments to ensure that the city is built according to the map.