Remote sensing
Remote sensing in general means the detecting of information from a distance. More specifically the surface of the earth can be observed and in many cases monitored through the use of satellites or aircraft carrying specialist equipment. This equipment ranges from video and photographic equipment to laser scanning (lidar) and sensor equipment that can detect and record distances accurately as well as reflected or emitted energy.
The earliest and simplest form of remote sensing was the aerial photograph, which gave the opportunity to see for the first time large areas of land use from above, it became an important tool in recording historical landscape changes but also in planning future uses. As the resolution of images has improved along with tools enabling better interpretation and analysis, satellite imagery continues to be an important tool in governance, urban planning and architecture.
Other more specialist remote sensing tools such as radiometers measure electromagnetic energy produced by the vibration of charged particles to analyse changes in the surface and atmosphere of the earth. Spectrometers analyse the surface and atmosphere of the earth using light (either from the sun or from their own source). These passive and active sensors combined have the ability to measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol properties, physical attributes, forest structure, precipitation and wind, sea surface topography, ice among other characteristics.
Remote sensing as a core element of Geoinformatics is seen as an opportunity to better inform the field of urban planning with various free geographic information tools becoming openly available benefiting from both Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in combination with remote sensing.
The Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - Urban Atlas, developed by the European Union is one such tool, as well as the interactive UK Geoinformation tool MAgiC. Links to both tools are given below.
- https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/copernicus-land-monitoring-service-urban-atlas
- https://magic.defra.gov.uk/
Whilst Google Maps and Google Earth are commonly used tools, they to some extent give access to historical aerial photographic data. Whist the Aerial Photo Explorer recently released by Historic England gives access to mapped historic aerial photographs across the UK.
- https://earth.google.com/web/
- https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/archive/collections/aerial-photos/
NB The glossary of statistical terms, published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), defines remote sensing as: ‘The process of acquiring information about an object from a distance; i.e. without physical contact. Remote sensing usually refers to image acquisition by means of satellite sensors or aerial photography.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 3D city model.
- 3D printer.
- BIM for heritage asset management.
- Building information modelling.
- Building survey.
- Construction cameras.
- Construction drones.
- Desk study.
- Development appraisal.
- Drones as a Service DaaS.
- Geophysical survey.
- Global positioning systems and global navigation satellite systems.
- Ground control point GCP.
- How can drones transform construction processes?
- How to layout a building.
- Impulse radar.
- Innovation and investigation at the Hill House.
- Interview with David Southam about laser scanning in construction.
- Laser.
- Laser scanning for building design and construction
- Pre-construction information.
- Radar.
- Site information.
- Site surveys.
- Surveying instruments.
- Surveyor.
- Technical due diligence.
- Uses of drones in construction.
- Vendor survey.
Featured articles and news
BG 50 & VDI 2035 – your questions answered.
Types of domestic heating systems.
Will the way we heat homes change when winter comes ?
Extended reality in a post-pandemic world.
Can XR technology be leveraged in design & construction?
Or are you capping.
STEM ambassadors needed for ICE CityZen award.
Digital gaming competition for UK students aged 16 to 18.
Heritage protection in England vs Australia.
Fire doors and the Fire Door Inspection Scheme.
Three-quarters of fire doors fail inspections
UN International Day for Biological Diversity, May 22.
The role of geoparks, biospheres and world heritage sites.
BSRIA conference 2022, June 23.
Just one month to go ! Find out more here.
Restoring Broadbent’s Bath House
A new gallery for the University of Huddersfield.
Corruption in the construction industry.
What will it take to stop it ?
To celebrate world bee day 2022 !
Just one month until the changes to part L come into effect.
Not forgetting part F and the new part overheating part O.
Heat Pump demand rises by one quarter.
As energy prices jump up in cost.
With people in the UK from Ukraine.
Industry leader Steve Murray takes on role.
An abundant and versatile building material.
How overheating complicates ending gas in the UK.
600,000 heat pump installations targeted per year by 2028.
Cost planning, control and related articles on DB.
Helping prevent those unwanted outcomes.
ICE debate Public transport - post pandemic.
How has transport changed due to Covid-19 ?
Cross-ventilation in buildings. Do you have it ?
Will you need it ? after June 15 and the new Part O ?