- Published: 27.10.2025.
18th symposium of authorised geodetic engineers held in Bol on Brač
A traditional gathering of authorised geodetic engineers in Croatia, in its 18th edition, was held in Bol on Brač at the Elaphusa hotel. This year’s symposium on “Geodesy – a regulated profession” served as a platform for exchanging knowledge, experience and innovation among professionals, but also for discussing current topics and challenges the profession faces. The event is organised by the Croatian Chamber of Chartered Geodetic Engineers, and one of the sponsors is the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets.
On behalf of the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Branko Bačić, State Secretary Tonči Glavinić addressed the audience at the opening ceremony. He pointed out that Bol is the right place to hold such an event, because it is precisely on this island that one of the first detailed cadastral surveys were made in Dalmatia in the 19th century, and these data represent the foundation of legal certainty, ownership relationships and space management to this day.“It is precisely the surveyors who survey the space, understand it and protect it, noting changes in order to make responsible decisions in planning, coast protection and sustainable development. The role of surveyors in developing spatial surveys is essential for spatial plan adoption and strategic management of the country’s development,” State Secretary said.
At the beginning, the audience was addressed by President of the Croatian Chamber of Chartered Geodetic Engineers Vedran Car and Director of State Geodetic Administration Antonio Šustić, who pointed out that both the professionals and the society face numerous changes.
“Social, geopolitical, climate, technological changes bring about a series of challenges, but also opportunities stemming from digital transformation, green transition and the need to continuously invest in knowledge and skills,” the Director General said.
This year’s programme was dedicated to the importance of up-to-dateness and maintenance of spatial data, cadastral system development and improvement of technological solutions, economic and legal frameworks accompanying the activities of surveyors. State Secretary Glavinić highlighted several key activities representing the strategic direction of geodetic system development in Croatia.
He spoke about the Multi-Annual Cadastral Survey Programme in Construction Areas, which is implemented under the Government’s programme until 2028, with the aim that all cadastral and land registry data are updated by 2030.
“This is an enormous task, but it is also the foundation of high-quality spatial planning, real estate market and safety of investment,” he said.
He also announced launching the Multi-Annual Official State Cartography Programme for the Period 2025 - 2034, which will ensure the development of up-to-date topographic and cartographic databases across all official scales. Commenting on the future of the profession, he pointed out the importance of implementing LIDAR aerial surveying of Croatia, which generates new generation digital elevation and surface models - surveys that are essential for precise and modern spatial management.
Legal package governing construction and protecting space
On the second day of the symposium, the new legislative framework important for physical planning and construction was presented. On that occasion, State Secretary Glavinić presented the new legal solutions under the Building Act, the Physical Planning Act and the Act on Energy Efficiency in Building Construction, which are in the adoption procedure. He also presented the amendments to the Act on Proceeding with Illegally Built Buildings, which is currently open for public consultation. Head of Sector for Investments and Digitisation of Investment Processes at Directorate for Physical Planning Margareta Premužić spoke about the digitisation of the process and the introduction of new technologies in her presentation called “Implementing BIM into the system of physical planning and construction”.
During the symposium, numerous discussions, workshops, presentations and round tables were held, where participants presented professional papers, examples of good practice and current trends in the field of geodesy. The gathering was particularly valuable because it offered the possibility of direct dialogue with representatives of state institutions, which further emphasised the importance of cooperation between the public sector, the professionals and the academic community.
To conclude, holding the symposium significantly contributes to geodesy development and such gatherings help professionals stay up-to-date with the latest technologies, methodologies and international standards.
“These are clear indicators that Croatia possesses knowledge, willingness and capacity to successfully manage space in a modern and sustainable way, but constant cooperation between the state, the professionals, the economy and the academic community is required,” the State Secretary concluded.
The Symposium “Geodesy - a regulated profession” was held from October 22 to 25, 2024, in Bol on Brač.