SATELLITE IMAGE MAP AIDS IN PLANNING AT THE 
GREATER VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT 
Michael Urtheil, 
Applications Specialist 
PCI Enterprises 
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada 
Geoff Tomlins 
President 
Pacific Geomatics Ltd. 
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 
Daniel Werger, Lorne Gilmour 
Greater Vancouver Regional District 
Vancouver, B. C., Canada 
Commission IV, Working Group 2 
KEY WORDS: 
ABSTRACT: 
Land_Use, Mapping, Planning, DEM/DTM, Orthoimage, Multitemporal, Urban 
A Satellite Image Map was created for the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) by Pacific Geomatics Limited of 
Surrey, British Columbia using multitemporal satellite imagery orthorectified using EASI/PACE image analysis software. 
The Image Map provides accurate information about land use providing the GVRD with a valuable tool for the 
management of the urban and surrounding areas of the Fraser Delta area of British Columbia. It illustrates the 
usefulness of satellite imagery in providing data at an overview scale in urban applications. The use of satellite imagery 
in an urban application also proved suitable since the area encompassed by the regional planning department covered 
a relatively large tract, and so had some advantages over higher resolution aerial photography in processing time, data 
storage, and cost. 
INTRODUCTION 
The study area for the GVRD Strategic Planning 
Department covers 762,000 hectares of mostly urbanized 
land. The satellite image data produced by Pacific 
Geomatics Ltd. is used mainly as a visual reference tool 
for identifying, classifying and correcting new or existing 
vector layers within this area. These layers include spatial 
elements such as landuse types, environmentally 
sensitive areas, and infrastructure. At 10 meter 
resolution, the satellite image contains enough detail for 
regional analysis. It also provides a visual context for 
discussion of regional land use, transportation and 
environmental issues. 
METHODOLOGY 
The image map is a compilation of scenes from two 
separate earth observation satellites acquired in different 
seasons during 1991, 1992, and 1993. All imagery was 
ortho-corrected using high resolution Province of British 
Columbia, Terrain Resource Information Management 
(TRIM) data. These data were derived from a province 
wide aerial survey with rigorous accuracy standards. 
TRIM planimetric data were used as the source for 
Ground Control Points, while TRIM elevation data were 
used as the terrain model for orthorectification. The 
879 
Image Map is accurate to within 10 metres RMS in X and 
Y. 
Landsat-5 visible and infrared data, encompassing all 
bands from 1 to 5, acquired August 17, 1992, were 
orthorectified and resampled to a 10 metre grid using 
EASI/PACE satellite orthorectification programs which 
implement algorithms developed by  Toutin and 
Carbonneau (1985, 1989). Atmospheric corrections and 
colour enhancements were applied using proprietary 
algorithms developed at Pacific Geomatics, which were 
implemented through programs using the EASI procedure 
language within EASI/PACE. Multispectral data provided 
information about land use within the extents of 
urbanization, as well as providing land cover type 
information in the surrounding, less anthropogenically 
affected watersheds. 
The Landsat data were then fused with two panchromatic 
SPOT scenes that had also been orthorectified and 
radiometrically corrected. Data fusion was accomplished 
with proprietary algorithms developed at Pacific 
Geomatics, also implemented through EASI procedures. 
The SPOT images were acquired on September 17, 
1993, and November 13, 1993. Ground resolution of the 
fused data set was 10 metres. 
The November 1993 SPOT image provided up-to-date 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B4. Vienna 1996