An Integration of Geomatics to Develop a DCDB for Peri-Urban Customary Land - A Case Study of Igam- Block Settlement, Lae

Abstract

This study integrates GNSS surveys, UAV technology, and GIS applications to develop a Digital Cadastral Database (DCDB) for customary-owned land in a peri-urban settlement. The research addresses persistent challenges, including overlapping boundaries and title duplication, which have hindered land development in Papua New Guinea. The DCDB aims to resolve these issues by enabling precise monitoring and management of cadastral information in a digital format. A combination of survey techniques was employed, and their accuracy and precision were evaluated against the linear error limitations outlined in the 1990 Urban Class Two Survey Direction. A key finding highlights a knowledge gap in leveraging DCDBs for customary land to attract investors and promote development. The study advocates for cost-effective methods, such as drone imagery and vector data from subdivision designs, as viable solutions for surveying customary land. Results indicated a high level of positional accuracy, with uncertainties at a 90%-95% confidence level conforming to Urban Class Two standards. The achieved accuracy ranged between ±0.001m and ±0.02m for all methods utilized. The study recommends adopting modern technologies for cadastral monitoring and storage, implementing cost-effective surveying techniques, expediting project timelines, and minimizing positional misalignment and distortion when creating digital databases using GIS software.