Resource information
Cadastral mapping in Pakistan is often sketched on paper or cloth and generally falls below cartographic standards, lacking details on coordinate systems, datum and directional information of parcel lines. Survey numbers for parcel identification also lack digital interoperability. Parcel measurements and ownership information are manually recorded in multiple separate registers. The objective of this study is to leverage geospatial technology for automation, auditing and validation of present manual cadastral mapping in Pakistan. Only 62% of the parcel geometry could be automated due to irregular parcel shapes. However, the process revealed some interesting discrepancies in cadastral datasets. Geospatially calculated areas and rectangular base areas are approximately eight acres less than the officially notified estate areas recorded in the field book. This study advocates using geospatial technology to update manual cadastral mapping practices to help avoid such errors when validating existing datasets.