THE ASSESSMENT OF HIGH RESOLUTION SATELLITE IMAGES AND
APPLICATIONS IN REGIONAL AND LOCAL PLANNING
F. Kartal*, T. Eksioglu* , K. Eren*, A. Aal?
* Geo Tech Group, Ankara- Turkey, Riyadh- S. Arabia (gtc@ags-group.com
? Saudi Telecom Company, Riyadh- S. Arabia
KEY WORDS: High Resolution Satellite Images, Orthorectification, Geodatabase, Vectorisation, Planning
ABSTRACT:
The establishment of database constitutes the most significant component of any GIS attempt. Saudi Arabia is a dynamic country
with rapid structural changes in urban and rural areas whose areas amount to about 100,000 km2 and 2,100,000 km2 respectively.
There are, however, very few topographic maps available to reflect these rapid changes. With the consideration of the time and cost
of any terrestrial or photogrammetric project, it is wise to utilize mapping from space using high-resolution satellite images with
resolution ranging from 15 m to 0.5 m.
For the establishment of the national geo database for telecommunication and planning purposes, LANDSAT-7 images and
IKONOS / QuickBird images were acquired for rural and urban areas of S. Arabia. These images were rectified using proper DEMs
and GCPs to an accuracy of about one pixel.
Landuse was derived from LANDSAT images and used for the rectification and geo-registration of structural plans of the entire
country. IKONOS / QuickBird images amounting to 100,000 km2 were rectified using about 5 m precision DEMs (10 m grid
spacing) and dm-precision GCPs taken at about 5 km spacing. For processing, we have used Russian Orthospace, Erdas Imagine,
PCI and Hanover package. We have achieved an accuracy level of about 0.75 — 1.5 m, probably one of the best results obtained in
commercial applications.
The results of the computations and the applications for telecommunication and planning studies are discussed in this paper. These
images have constituted the foundation of geo-information for telecommunications and planning, including the establishment of a
national Planning Information System (PIS) for the entire country. All the structural, local and subdivision plans have been
integrated and registered with respect to these images.
1. INTRODUCTION 1/10,000 to 1/5,000), ie. to produce
orthophoto maps
The establishment of graphical and non-graphical database
constitutes the most significant component of any spatial Since 2001, Saudi Telecom and Ministry of Municipal and
information system attempt, as much as 90-95% of the total Rural Affairs have launched several projects for the
investment. Fortunately, there are modern techniques, such as establishment of mapping database using HRS images. These
space mapping, offering quick and economical solutions. projects covers:
This paper addresses applications of these techniques in the - compilation of orthorectified HRS images (0.6 — 1.0 m)
establishment of geoinformation database in Saudi Arabia. for an area of about 100,000 km”
- compilation of orthorectified medium resolution satellite
Saudi Arabia is a dynamic country with rapid structural images (10 — 15 m) for the entire country, Le.
changes in urban and rural areas. There are, however, very 2.000,000 km?
few basemaps or high-resolution images available to reflect
these rapid changes. Besides, local survey, mapping and Subsequent sections present technical information about HRS
subdivision activities lack any acceptable standard and images, geoinformation database cstablished using HRS
format. They are, therefore, far from representing a great part images and results.
of urban, even rural areas.
Owing to the reasons above and with the consideration of the
time and cost of any conventional techniques, it is wise to
utilize space technology to establish geo-referenced digital
graphical (mainly orthophoto maps) database. Since
applications like telecommunications and urban planning go
down to the level of individual structure/parcel
corresponding to a map scale of 1/10,000 to 1/5,000, the
minimum requirement expected from urban imagery is:
a) aresolution 1-m or better
b) ortho-rectification to have map precision (e.g.:
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