What is Geomatics?

After doing the bachelor Architecture and the Built Environment I decided to do the Master Geomatics. Ever since, there is one question I hear on almost a daily basis: “what is geomatics?”. I have noticed that most people in this faculty have no idea what the Master is, if they know about the Master at all. For this reason, I have decided to write this short article in which I will briefly explain what Geomatics is, what motivated me to study Geomatics and how I experienced the step from the architecture and the built environment to Geomatics and what you can do after the Master.

What is Geomatics?

In Geomatics for the Built Environment, we use geographic data to find solutions for current and emerging challenges. In Geomatics we learn about all the steps in the data process: acquisition, modelling, analysis, management and visualisation of geographic data with the aim of gaining knowledge and a better understanding of the built and natural environments. For instance, we use 3D building models in an area to allocate the optimal placement of solar panels to obtain maximum solar return. Or use the 3D height model of an area for simulations and discover the vulnerable spots where water might accumulate. To do this, we are taught different programming languages such as Python, C++ and SQL. We are also taught about Machine Learning and making web-applications of the applications that we make.


Rain simulation in a mountainous area in Argentina

Why Geomatics?

As much as I enjoyed my bachelor’s in architecture and the built environment, I always felt like I was missing something programme, mainly because I felt that it was not technical enough and that certain environmental problems would be handled better if approached in a computational way.
While doing the Bachelor of Architecture and the Built Environment, I got interested in Computational Generative Design. It made me realize that there is an incredibly big opportunity to improve architecture and make it much more impactful and efficient by using programming. As Architects, or other stakeholders in the built environment, we have a great humanitarian responsibility. We have the responsibility to accommodate housing for the population, as well as a big responsibility in the energy-transition. In 2020, the building sector was responsible for approximately 37% of all energy related CO2 emissions (United Nations Environment Programme, 2021).
To tackle environmental issues, there is a great opportunity and need of analytical models, or optimizations using programming languages. These are some of the things that are done in the field of Geomatics.

From Architecture to Geomatics?

In the Bachelor of Architecture and the Built environment, there is no programming.
Before starting Geomatics in August 2021, I only had a couple months of coding
experience. When starting the Master, I was a little worried that I would not be
experienced enough and that I would struggle in the programme. However, the
Geomatics programme is built up in a way that it does not require any prior coding
experience. Everything that you need to know, you are taught within the programme.
The first quarter started with the basics of Python and GIS, to get everyone up to the
same basic level on which the rest of the programme builds upon. Looking back on
the first three quarters, I am happy to say that I have passed every course and that I
am happy with my choice for Geomatics. One thing I particularly enjoyed was
working with 3D BAG (tudelft3d, n.d.), a 3D version of BAG. In this assignment we
used the 3D models of 3D BAG to calculate features about the buildings, like volume
and number of floors, which we than added to the models as attributes.

From Architecture to Geomatics?

In the Bachelor of Architecture and the Built environment, there is no programming.  Before starting Geomatics in August 2021, I only had a couple months of coding experience. When starting the Master, I was a little worried that I would not be experienced enough and that I would struggle in the programme. However, the Geomatics programme is built up in a way that it does not require any prior coding experience. Everything that you need to know, you are taught within the programme. The first quarter started with the basics of Python and GIS, to get everyone up to the same basic level on which the rest of the programme builds upon. Looking back on the first three quarters, I am happy to say that I have passed every course and that I am happy with my choice for Geomatics. One thing I particularly enjoyed was working with 3D BAG (tudelft3d, n.d.), a 3D version of BAG. In this assignment we used the 3D models of 3D BAG to calculate features about the buildings, like volume and number of floors, which we than added to the models as attributes.


3D model of Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment

What can you do after Geomatics?

Once you have finished the MSc Geomatics, you are skilled and knowledgeable in all the steps in the (spatial) data process. After your degree you could work for traditional spatial data users like the IT or energy industry. But nowadays spatial data is being integrate and used in pretty much all sectors, so you could also work for (local) governments, travel companies like Booking, architectural/ construction companies, academia etc.

Sources:

United Nations Environment Programme (2021). 2021 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction: Towards a Zeroemission, Efficient and Resilient Buildings and Construction Sector. Nairobi
tudelft3d. (n.d.). 3D BAG Viewer. 3D BAG. Retrieved 12 May 2022, from https://3dbag.nl/en/viewer