Image Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
13.2
GIS and RS in Desert Cities
13.2.1
A General Framework for Mapping Desertification Hazards
Figure
13.1
below depicts a framework for the mapping and inventory processes
that are typically used in the context of desert cities. It shows also the contribution
of remote sensing and GIS techniques to these processes, which are illustrated with
a number of applications ranging from the delineation of location and extent of
urban areas, to surface temperature estimation and green belt implementation.
The framework shown in Fig.
13.1
shows how Remote sensing (RS) along with
GIS tools, which are used to gather, display, store, analyze and output data related
to the urban and sub-urban environment, can provide planners with necessary infor-
mation that is suited for the management of urban and sub-urban areas, including
(Donnay et al.
2001
; Bahr
2001
):
•
Analyzing location and extent of urban areas
•
Delineating the spatial distribution of different land use categories
•
Managing primary transportation network and related infrastructure
•
Collecting and deriving various census-related statistics and socio-economical
indicators
Depicting the 3D structure of urban area for telecommunications
•
•
Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies
•
Monitoring changes in urban features over time
Some of the applications stated above can be tackled through land use/cover map-
ping and land use change detection, using the appropriate techniques of image
classification, and change detection and analysis. Other application areas (e.g.,
transportation analysis, 3D modeling, EIA studies) still require further development
to be fully operational in desert cities of developing countries.
The increasing demands of urban planning and management necessitate the appli-
cations of remote sensing and GIS for the sustainable development of urban areas.
The implementation of urban development plans must incorporate an integrated
approach for spatial modeling using RS data, GIS databases and GPS solutions. All
these datasets and information can be integrated into a form of Urban Information
System (UIS). An UIS can help develop efficient and economical models for the
development and location of industries, education, housing, water supplies, service
facilities, and disposal systems at both regional and national levels. The following is
a number of application examples of how RS has been contributing to mapping deser-
tification hazards and the sustainable development and management of desert cities.
13.2.2
Fusion of Optical and Radar Imagery
The city of Algiers, Algeria has developed new techniques of fusion of radar and optical
imagery, particularly ERS/SAR and Spot-HRV imagery. For this purpose, two methods
