
TECHNOLOGY
Technology is an integral part of human history its evolution and its future. From the development of rudimentary tools to the exploration of space it is a journey that has defined the human race. Our ability to transition to a sustainable future will be fundamentally impacted by future technologies in whatever form that may take. Utilising and contributing to the development of the latest theories and methodologies I have spent over fifteen years exploring how technology in multiple sectors is facilitating a sustainability transition. This has ranged from global systemic change to localised systems and environments. Theories such as socio technical transitions, strategic niche management and complex adaptive systems have emerged as effective mechanisms for understanding the role of technology in society.
The surveying profession is both being profoundly impacted by technology advancements and is centrally placed to implement and catalyse these technological innovations. Here I highlight some of those technologies that are impacting on the built environment and society as a whole
Blockchain
Blockchain is a digital process for recording data in a way that allows every participant access to the same information.
Blockchain
It is a database of information made of blocks chained together in a way so that they cannot be tampered with and so is a secure way of recording transactions from peer to peer without using a third party. The transfer creates a ledger which is open-sourced and cannot be tampered with.
Origin
Blockchain was invented by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 for use in the cryptocurrency Bitcoin as its public transaction ledger. The invention of the blockchain for bitcoin made it the first digital currency to solve the double spending problem without the need of a trusted authority or central server.