Land Surveying, Property and Land Management

Geodesy is the science that deals with determining the shape, dimensions, and gravity field of the Earth. It involves measuring the shape and size of Earth's surface features and representing them on a scale in a planar format. Geodesy serves as the basis for determining locations on the Earth's surface, underground, or above it.

Interest in land ownership and measurement dates back to ancient Egypt, where experts were needed to mark the locations of structures such as pyramids. Thus, geodesy can be considered one of the oldest sciences. It is often referred to as land surveying among the general public. Measuring and accurately mapping land (topographic surveying) has been crucial throughout history and will remain so in the future. However, geodesy is much more than just land surveying. A significant part of the field is engineering geodesy, which involves work on road and building construction. Geodesy also includes the establishment of nationwide geodetic networks and various geodetic calculations.

Today, maps and plans are created using computers, and location data is integrated with digital elevation models. The necessary data is collected in the field using electronic total stations, high-precision GPS devices (with coordinate determination accuracy of 1–2 cm), digital levels, satellite and aerial imagery, laser scanners, and gravimeters.

Property management is a field that encompasses the organization of property ownership and use, as well as its efficient and sustainable administration. At the core of property management is decision-making related to properties, based on economic, legal, and spatial considerations. This requires knowledge of property valuation, development, management, land use planning, and property-related legislation.

An essential part of property management is the use of various databases and registries, such as the land register, cadastral database, building register, and other information systems related to property ownership and land use. Additionally, property management includes transactions related to leasing, acquiring, and transferring properties, as well as taking into account legal restrictions, easements, and other land-use regulations.

Modern property management is closely linked to environmental protection and sustainable development principles, as land is a limited resource, and its planning and management directly impact both the living environment and economic activities.

 

Land management is inherently a technical, legal, and economic tool, as its goal is to create land parcels that are economically most beneficial within a given environment. Land management is implemented through legal and technical procedures. Legally, specific regulations provide the basis for carrying out technical operations. These technical operations include activities such as land demarcation, surveying, recording data in registries, and processing registry data.

Economic efficiency in land management can be demonstrated, for example, by consolidating fragmented land holdings consisting of ten separate parcels into one compact property. Additionally, economic benefits arise when land management measures help resolve environmental issues or disputes between neighboring landowners. Border disputes, for instance, can lead to direct costs (such as legal fees) as well as indirect costs (such as strained relationships with neighbors, conflicts that may cause stress, health issues, and even depression).

Have you ever wondered how services like Google Maps are created or how GPS works? These are just a few keywords that students of this field learn, and thanks to professionals in this area, we all have the opportunity to use accurate digital maps daily.

The courses in the curriculum are broadly divided into two categories: technical and legal/economic. Students gain knowledge about how to conduct measurements in nature, collect information, and transfer it onto a map. Therefore, a significant emphasis is placed on various high-precision measuring instruments and the use of modern technologies, making geodesy a relatively instrumental field. On the other hand, students also acquire knowledge about legal, economic, and technical issues related to land and associated infrastructure as real estate. Thus, students learn land surveying, topography, cartography, as well as subjects like mathematics, physics, computer science, construction, economics, and law.

In the master's program, students can further specialize in geodesy or land management, with advanced courses offered in both areas. In geodesy, the focus is primarily on geodetic fundamental networks, advanced geodesy related to the Earth's shape, satellite geodesy, gravimetry (measuring gravitational acceleration from the Earth and space), and physical geodesy. An independent field includes stereophotogrammetry and laser scanning. In land management, more attention is paid to legal issues and planning related to land.

Graduates find employment in government institutions, city and municipal governments, geodesy and construction companies, real estate development, valuation, and brokerage firms, and residential property management companies. Graduates of the field have broad knowledge and a wide range of career opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Configuration of Electronic Total Stations and GPS Devices
As a service, we configure electronic total stations and GPS devices to work with various controllers and modems. We also perform coordinate system and correction stream tuning.

Contact: Harli Jürgensonlink opens in new page

Gravimetric Measurements and Data Processing
Gravimetry is used for geological mapping and collecting information about the Earth's gravity field, based on which geoid models can be created. The geoid model is used in GPS devices to calculate the normal heights valid in the country.

Contact: Harli Jürgensonlink opens in new page

Levelling of Surveying Traverses
Surveying traverses are necessary for the establishment of geodetic measurement networks. We offer levelling of these traverses as individual runs or as a network.

Contact: Harli Jürgensonlink opens in new page

Building Settlement Studies
Short- and long-term monitoring of building deformations (GPS, total station, level); settlement studies of buildings and structures (including bridges, roads); computation and statistical evaluation of deformations and settlements.

Contact: Tarmo Kalllink opens in new pagelink opens in new page

Geodetic Network Solutions
Solutions for the establishment and reconstruction of geodetic networks; solutions for the restoration of geodetic points; consultations regarding data processing for geodetic networks.

Contact: Tarmo Kalllink opens in new pagelink opens in new page

Spatial Analysis of Land Use and Thematic Map Creation
This service focuses on land use-related issues and assists institutions and companies dealing with land use to apply modern geoinformatics tools and capabilities in their work. Services offered include:

• Agricultural land quality studies, including the identification of valuable agricultural lands,
• Analysis of changes in land use,
• Identifying areas suitable for development, planning-related analysis, and map creation.

The result of the service is the preparation of digital maps for the client, helping to make better land use-related decisions. Along with the digital maps, the client will receive associated data tables. We also provide recommendations for the specific use of these materials in solving land-related issues.

Contact: Siim Maasikamäelink opens in new pagelink opens in new pagelink opens in new page

link opens in new page

The Geomatics Laboratory focuses on both research and education, providing support in the fields of geodesy and land management. The laboratory's objectives and areas of activity include:

• Geodetic Measurements: The laboratory uses modern precision equipment, such as electronic total stations and GNSS receivers, to collect spatial data.
• Data Processing and Analysis: Processing and analyzing the collected geospatial information to support both research projects and educational activities.
• Supporting Education: The laboratory offers students practical opportunities to learn and apply knowledge in geodesy and land management, preparing them for future professional challenges.
• Promoting Research: The laboratory infrastructure enables conducting research in the fields of geomatics and remote sensing, contributing to the development of new knowledge and technologies.

The laboratory focuses on interdisciplinarity, covering both research and education, creating an environment conducive to collaboration with various partners in geodesy and land management, as well as remote sensing, environmental studies, and climate change.

Services and Equipment

The technical capabilities of the Geomatics Laboratory include the following equipment, enabling precise geodetic measurements, data processing, and validation of various environmental and remote sensing data:

• Electronic Total Stations:
  • Trimble S6
  • Trimble S5
  • Leica TS15A (includes monitoring and traverse leveling software)
  • Nikon XF manual total station with Survey Pro and Survey Basic software
• GNSS Receivers:
  • Trimble R4-3 RTK GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou)
  • Trimble R4-2 RTK GNSS (GPS, GLONASS)
  • Trimble R8s RTK GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou)
• Controllers for Total Stations and GNSS Devices:
  • Trimble TSC7 with Access 2024 + Roads software
  • Trimble TSC5 with Access software
  • Leica GS15 (includes Reference Line)
• Drones:
  • DJI Phantom 4 RTK
• Levels:
  • Digital level Trimble DiNi, code rods
  • Digital level Spectra Precision DL-15, code rods
  • Optical level Nikon AC-2s
  • Laser level 360 degrees
  • Laser distance meter Leica Disto
• Digital Gravimeter:
  • Scintrex CG-5
• Software:
  • Geodetic Data Processing: Trimble Business Center (10 licenses), Trimble RealWorks (laser scanning), SBG Geo, GipsyX (GNSS)
  • Digital Photogrammetry: Photomod and Pix4D
  • Remote Sensing: SARscape
  • Drafting: AutoCAD
  • GIS: ArcGIS

Contact and Collaboration

For discussing collaboration opportunities, please contact Aive Liibusk.

Contact: Tel. +372 7313 196, Email: [email protected]

Ivar Kapsi

Topic: Climate change-induced sea level rise in the Baltic Sea and its impact on shoreline changes and coastal vulnerability, combining remote sensing data with ground-based measurements.

Supervisors: Associate Professor Aive Liibusk and Associate Professor Tarmo Kall.

Kärt Metsoja

Topic: Finding the optimal algorithm for detecting land use changes using geodetic remote sensing methods.

Supervisors: Senior Lecturer Natalja Liba and Professor Evelin Jürgenson.

Kätlin Põdra

Topic: Land use changes in Estonia within the framework of climate agreements.

Supervisor: Professor Evelin Jürgenson.

Birgit Trik

Topic: The impact of land use changes on the greenhouse gas balance: Developing an accounting system in the context of the European Green Deal.

Supervisor: Professor Evelin Jürgenson.

Euroopa kõrgussüsteem. European Vertical Reference System.link opens in new page Maa- ja ruumiamet

Geodeedid maakoore liikumisest. link opens in new pageETV

Geodeesia tudengi arvamus erialast.link opens in new page

Hoone 3D mõõdistusmudel.link opens in new page Hades Geodeesia OÜ

3d mõõdistamistehnoloogia. link opens in new pageHades Geodeesia OÜ

Geodeesia ajalugu.link opens in new page

Mis on geomaatika?link opens in new page

Профессия геодезист​link opens in new page RUS

Мастер класс. Геодезист. link opens in new pageRUS

What Is A Land Surveyor?​link opens in new page
 

Maakorraldus. Kinnisasjade osade vahetamine ja piiri muutmine.link opens in new page Maa amet

Maa-amet ja maakataster.link opens in new page Maa-amet

Земельный департамент. Земельный кадастр.link opens in new page RUS Maa-amet

Katastri toimingud. Piiride kindlakstegemine.link opens in new page Maa-amet

Maa omandamine ja vahetamine.link opens in new page Maa-amet

Miks oleks vaja läbi viia uus maa korraline hindamine.link opens in new page Maa-amet

The Life of a Survey Monument​link opens in new page

Kuidas tehakse kaarte ja kuidas saab kaardi kodulehele?link opens in new page Maa-amet

Точными картами обеспечит тебя Земельный департамент!link opens in new page RUS Maa-amet

Kaardi tutvustus.link opens in new page Maa-amet

X-GIS 2.0 – Maa ameti kaardiserveri uus nägu ja uued võimalused.link opens in new page Maa-amet

ESTHub - Eesti riiklik satelliidiandmete keskus.link opens in new page Maa-amet

ESTHub – Eesti oma satelliidiandmete töötlemise keskus.link opens in new page Maa-amet

From July 25 to 29, 2022, the AESOP 2022 Congress titled "Space for Species: Redefining Spatial Justice" took place at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

The doctoral workshop took place in Narva from July 20 to 23, 2022. The workshop was titled "Space for (all) Species: Creative Use of Data to Understand the Role of Planning."

"Space for Species: Redefining Spatial Justice"

The title of this congress reflects the reason to explore space in the context of all species and the environment as a whole, as well as different territories and habitats, including cultural and other spaces. Under this theme, we connect legal and justice aspects, technological solutions and developments, and the concept of smart cities, addressing smart city infrastructure as a tool for inclusion or exclusion.

Although Estonia is a small country, its landscape and urban landscape are very diverse. The low population density has fostered dispersed urbanization, and planning also focuses on these dispersed areas. The title allows for a balance between themes that have persisted throughout the congress and new thematic sessions to promote interdisciplinarity and bring together participants from more specialized areas of planning research. This provides an opportunity to understand the big picture, potential for collaboration, interconnections between different fields, and how one aspect influences another.

On December 14, 2022, a collaboration seminar took place on the topic of real estate and land management studies at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. Despite the snowy road conditions, participants arrived safely, and it was a meaningful and engaging meeting.

The discussions focused on topics that every graduate in our field should be familiar with, which subjects are currently underrepresented in real estate and land management studies, and how we could improve collaboration with institutions.

Regarding general knowledge, it was emphasized that students at the university should acquire the ability to analyze issues and know where to seek solutions to various questions, including which sources (such as laws) to consult. Our graduates should have a clear understanding of whom to approach for land and real estate-related problems, as well as an awareness of landowners' rights and obligations.

We could enhance cooperation with businesses and institutions in areas such as thesis work, internships, and course delivery. Theses could be more closely aligned with topics that are more relevant to businesses, and we should actively seek thesis topics from companies.

A more detailed summary of the event, along with photos and presentations, is available here: Collaboration Seminar on Real Estate and Land Management Studies at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, December 14, 2022.

We gained many ideas from the event, both for curriculum development and for improving collaboration. A big thank you to all the participants for coming and sharing their thoughts!

On November 19, 2021, a geodesy education seminar took place at the Hotel Sophia Conference Center in Tartu.

The seminar discussed the following topics:

• Geodesy and Land Management Studies at the Estonian University of Life Sciences through the Decades (Evelin Jürgenson)
• Geodesy, Real Estate, and Land Management Programs at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Aive Liibusk)
• Road Construction and Geodesy Program at Tallinn University of Technology (Sander Sein)
• Applied Geodesy Program at Tallinn University of Applied Sciences (Raivo Ranne)
• Employer Experiences with Geodesy Program Interns and Graduates (Raul Vanikov – Raxoest OÜ)

On May 19, 2021, an international remote sensing seminar was held online, where doctoral students from both the Estonian University of Life Sciences and National Central University of Taiwan presented their papers.

Presentations at the seminar:

• Some Samples of UAV Applications in Taiwanlink opens in new page (Kuo-Hsin Tseng)
• The Application of Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Precision Agriculture in Estonialink opens in new page (Kai-Yun Li)
• Monitoring Degradation and Deforestation by Remote Sensing Approaches (Koni Dwi Prasetya)
• Remote Sensing Applications for Assessing the Damage and Recovery Post-fire of a Peatlandlink opens in new page (Raul Sampaio de Lima)
• Cloud Detection for Cross-optical-satellite Image Based on CNN (Hung-Hsien Wan)
• Identification of urban heat islands and affecting factors in Tartu, Estonia by means of UAV datalink opens in new page (Kaupo Kokamägi)
• Integrating Sentinel-1 and TerraSAR-X PSInSAR to Monitor Land Deformationlink opens in new page (Tsui-Jung Chang)
• Validation of Sentinel-3 Data in the Coastal Waters of Estonialink opens in new page (Ivar Kapsi)

From December 4 to 6, 2018, Professor Hans Mattsson from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm visited the Department of Geomatics at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. His visit was part of the university's ASTRA project, focusing on value chain-based bioeconomy. Professor Hans Mattsson has been an honorary doctor of the Estonian University of Life Sciences since 2001. During his visit, he delivered lectures on topics related to real estate, property rights, and land use.

The lectures took place at the following times and on the following topics:

• December 4, 16:00–17:00: "Development of Real Estate and Property Rights"
• December 5, 10:15–12:00: "Real Estate and Property Rights (Use Rights, Easements, Mortgages)"
• December 6, 14:15–16:00: "Changes in Land Use Rights (including Planning), Infrastructure Development, and Financing of Costs"

From April 2 to 6, 2018, Dr. Kirsikka Riekkinen from Aalto University and Dr. Armands Auziņš from Riga Technical University visited the Department of Geomatics at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. Kirsikka Riekkinen's visit was part of the university's ASTRA project focusing on value chain-based bioeconomy.

During the visit, public lectures were held on April 4, 2018, covering topics such as Finnish land cadastre, land policy, land use planning, and the development of spatial planning in Latvia.

At the end of October 2017, Dr. Juhana Hiironen from Aalto University and Professor Velta Parsova from Latvia University of Agriculture visited the Department of Geomatics at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. The visit was part of the university's ASTRA project focusing on value chain-based bioeconomy.

During the visit, public lectures were held on October 26, 2017, on the topic of land cadastre and its connections to property rights protection and real estate management.

From April 4 to 7, 2017, Dr. Andreas Hendricks from the University of the Bundeswehr Munich and Dr. Markus Schaffert from Leibniz University Hannover visited the Department of Geomatics at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

During the visit, public lectures in English were held on April 3 and 4, 2017, focusing on land management and the use of GIS in the development of rural and urban areas.