Coming to FIG Working Week in Christchurch?

By Anthony Wallace on 26 January, 2016

Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury Region. Image by Jesse Allen, based on data provided by the Landsat 7 Science Team.

The FIG Working Week 2016, 2-6 May in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a week-long conference that brings the international community of surveying and spatial professionals together to experience a mix of interesting plenary and technical sessions and workshops, a trade exhibition and a variety of side events and social functions. The week gives a unique opportunity to discuss key challenges of our time within the surveying profession with fellow peers.

The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) was formed in Paris in 1878 and organises an international event every year. Jointly hosted by the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors this will be only the fourth time since its inception that FIG has held an international event of this size in the Southern Hemisphere.

Coming to Christchurch in early May, the FIG Working Week 2016 is a prime opportunity for Australasian spatial practitioners of all levels to attend this world renowned event and network with international peers, discuss best practices within the surveying profession, and learn about the important contribution surveying and spatial information has made to Christchurch’s recovery and rebuild after the 2010 earthquake sequences.

Chair of the Local Organising Committee, Simon Ironside, is excited by the technical interest in the Working Week, with 480 abstracts submitted (including over 85 from Australasia), and is excited by the programme that examines all aspects of natural disaster from earthquakes, to floods and tsunamis.

“You don’t get many opportunities to see a western city being rebuild but this is exactly what people will see and experience when they arrive,” said Mr Ironside. “The reality is hard to believe but the experiences are worthy of hearing.”

There are no prerequisites for Australian surveyors to attend. Everyone can and registration is easy – register for the whole week (2-6 May), or daily online at www.fig.net/fig2016/registration.htm.

Discounted international flights have also been arranged through Air NZ (details on the website).

The overall theme of the Working Week is Recovery from Disaster reflecting New Zealand’s experience in recovering from the 2010 Christchurch earthquake sequences. You will have the opportunity to see a city under massive reconstruction and how the Kiwis have adapted many amazing simple ideas; like a shopping centre made quickly from large packing containers which is both brilliant and inspiring along with the many other unique attractions which have become re-operational such as the Historic Tram, the mountain Gondola giving spectacular scenic views of historic Lyttelton Harbour and the Southern Alps, and punting along the Avon river in the middle of the city.

Extend your Working Week experience by attending one of the pre-conference programme: