Although surveyors (or measurers) can be traced back to engineering projects dating some 3000 years BC, the profession of civil engineering surveying was not recognised until the Institution was established in 1972.

Until recently the role of engineering surveyors had been to provide all the survey data necessary to facilitate the design and construction of civil engineering projects. They provided the preliminary data for feasibility studies, detailed topographical survey for design purposes and the precise control for accurate setting out. During the construction phase they were responsible for all aspects of dimensional control and the setting out of the work, and for any necessary as-built surveys. On certain projects they were also involved in post construction monitoring and deformation survey to check for movement or settlement of the construction.

However, as a direct result of the introduction of new and ever improving technology many of the old working practices have changed considerably and, while the role of the traditional engineering surveyor remains much the same, professionals of other disciplines are now involved in providing and managing survey data for the built environment. It was with this in mind that the Institution decided in 1997 to broaden its membership to include all those other professionals involved in the collection, analysis and management of survey data concerning the nation's infrastructure.

As a consequence, the engineering surveying division of the Institution has been renamed the geospatial engineering surveying division, so as to more accurately reflect the input to and manipulation of, the geospatial database by specialists in engineering surveying, land surveying, hydrographic surveying, photogrammetry and remote sensing, geographic information systems and cartography/visualisation.

Tomorrows' true professionals will be specialists in their chosen discipline and have a basic working knowledge of the others so that their clients will feel confident in the advice they receive.

Geospatial engineering embraces the wide range of skills and specialisms of professionals either providing input to, analysing, managing or using output from the geospatial database or involved in the setting out and dimensional control of construction projects.

See also the joint Geospatial Engineering Board with the Institution of Civil Engineers.