The Cartography and Cadastre Bureau continues to provide accurate base map data and efficient surveying and mapping services. This is to support the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government in terms of overall governance, as well as regarding urban planning and construction projects. At the same time, the Bureau is helping to meet the general public’s need for geographic information.

A Cartography and Cadastre Bureau topographic surveyor conducts fieldwork, as well as office-based processing of data gathered. Fieldwork mainly involves use of professional surveying instruments to determine accurately the spatial position and coordinates of the topography and landforms of Macao, and to record onsite data attributed to land features.

A clear line of sight is essential for conducting topographic surveys. Those doing the work often need to find higher ground to lay out measurement control points. Sometimes they must enter and exit residential buildings or request to go on rooftops for their surveying work. In order to complete their work successfully, topographic surveyors rely on the general public’s understanding and cooperation.

When carrying out fieldwork, the topographic surveyor will first set up measuring instruments at control points, and instruct assistants to establish benchmarks along the points to be measured. They must then use their instruments to measure relevant data, and draw sketches based on the onsite environment, as well as recording relevant terrain data to complete their field data collection.

Topographic surveyors need to analyse the onsite environment and working conditions, and formulate appropriate survey plans in accordance with regulatory requirements. When dealing with complex terrain, a keen spatial sense and professional knowledge are needed to assist in making judgments, in order clearly to represent a piece of terrain on a map.

After the field survey work is completed, the collected terrain data is handed over to the topographic surveyor responsible for in-office data processing. Using computer drawing software and in accordance with standard cartographic specifications, the coordinates of each point – consisting only of numbers – are integrated and processed to draw a basic digital topographic map of Macao.

Basic topographic maps record topographic information including buildings, streets, green spaces, and water bodies. In addition to providing digitised electronic maps, topographic surveyors also produce basic topographic maps printed on paper.

Basic paper-printed topographic maps need to be produced using professional equipment, and can only be completed after printing, cutting and other processing.

Topographic surveyors will repeatedly check map data to ensure that the information on a basic topographic map is correct. This allows Government departments and citizens to understand the latest status of urban development in Macao through basic topographic mapping. The basic topographic map is currently being updated every month in order better to reflect the urban development of Macao, and to meet the needs of all sectors of society.