Demarcação

Demarcação is the act of defining and marking the limits of a territory, property, or jurisdiction. It involves identifying precise geographic boundaries and making them observable through markers, maps, and official records. The term is used in several contexts, including land administration, urban planning, and the delineation of administrative or natural borders.

In property and planning contexts, demarcação creates legally recognized parcels and can require updating cadastral records and registry entries. It often involves reconciling different sources of boundary information, such as deeds, previous surveys, and local knowledge, to produce a clear and enforceable boundary description.

The process generally includes planning and authorization, collection of relevant documents, field surveys to measure lines and coordinates, delimitation of boundary points, and documentation of results. Techniques commonly used are geodetic and topographic surveys, GNSS or GPS measurements, total stations, GIS analyses, and, when necessary, remote sensing. After the boundary is determined, physical markers may be placed and the survey plan, description, and coordinates are registered with the appropriate land registry or cadastral authority. In many jurisdictions, dispute resolution mechanisms, including negotiation, arbitration, or court decisions, may be involved when boundaries are contested.

Legal and administrative frameworks typically designate the authority responsible for demarcação, establish procedures, and require public notice and consultation. Demarcação aims to improve legal certainty, planning efficiency, and resource management, but can encounter challenges such as natural boundary changes, conflicting titles, incomplete documentation, encroachments, and financial or political complexities. See also boundary delimitation or land surveying.