Surveying & Geospatial Engineering
Surveying and Geospatial Engineering is a discipline within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW Sydney. It plays a crucial role in infrastructure development, environmental monitoring, and spatial data analysis.
Program Overview
Surveying and Geospatial Engineering (SAGE) at UNSW involves the use of advanced technologies—such as drones, GPS/GNSS, satellite imagery, laser scanning, and robotic total stations—to collect and analyze spatial data. This data is crucial for planning, designing, and managing infrastructure and environmental projects.
Key areas include:
- Geodesy: Mapping Earth's shape, gravity field, and changes over time.
- Remote Sensing & Digital Mapping: Using satellite and aerial data to monitor natural and built environments.
- Engineering, Mining & Hydrographic Surveying: Supporting construction, mining operations, and marine mapping.
- Land Surveying & Property Development: Defining legal land boundaries and managing urban developme
Research Strengths
The SAGE Research Group (Surveying and Geospatial Engineering) has been active since the 1960s and is globally recognized for its work in:
- Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry
- Geodetic Infrastructure & GNSS Positioning
- Multi-GNSS and Multi-Sensor Integration
- Indoor and Personal Navigation
- Satellite Navigation Receiver Design
- Spatial Digital Twins and Land Tenure Systems
Their research supports applications in:
- Natural disaster monitoring
- Urban and transport planning
- Environmental change detection
- Structural and geotechnical monitoring
Facilities & Labs
SAGE within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research:
- CVEN computer laboratories with up-to-date computing hardware and software for teaching and learming activities.
- SAGE Laboratory: Equipped with modern surveying instruments, computing hardware and software.
- SNAP Lab: A collaboration with Electrical Engineering, focusing on satellite-based positioning.
- Surveying Instrument Museum: A historical collection of instruments used in the field.
Students also participate in Survey Camps at locations like Berry Sport and Recreation Centre and Cataract Scout Park, gaining hands-on experience in fieldwork.
Interdisciplinary Integration
Surveying and Geospatial Engineering is deeply integrated with other civil and environmental disciplines at UNSW. It contributes to:
- Infrastructure and transport engineering through precise mapping and monitoring.
- Environmental engineering via remote sensing for climate and disaster analysis.
- Water and urban planning using GIS and spatial data modeling.
The school collaborates with over 100 industry and government partners annually, tackling global challenges like climate change, water security, and sustainable infrastructure. The quality and impact of our research is indicated by our outstanding numbers of publications, PhD and Masters theses completed, technological achievements and prizes won by graduate students.
