A computer system for a cadastral mapping application

Abstract

In 1973, the New Zealand Government instituted a metric measurement system and the New Zealand Department of Lands and Survey (NZLS) implemented a new mapping grid and projection system that permits the accurate representation of the whole country on a uniform basis. These two related decisions required the mapping division of the NZLS to assume responsibility for the conversion of both topographical and cadastral maps in the former imperial mapping grid system to the new metric mapping grid system. This thesis deals with the design of an automated mapping system and identifies the techniques necessary to automate the conversion of cadastral maps from the imperial mapping system to the new metric system. The research undertaken encompasses the following three major areas: (a) the design of an efficient system to automate the conversion from one mapping series to another, (b) the identification and testing of techniques necessary to generate computer produced maps to cartographic standards, (c) to design a data structure for graphical data and its corresponding descriptive data in a format suitable for use by a land information processing system. Although this research deals with a specific problem, the problems discussed in this thesis are of relevance to any general mapping application.