Research for the Environment

German

Working Group "Geomatics"

The scientific objective is to investigate the spatial-temporal dynamics of urban development processes with the focus on sustainability. Essential components of the quantitative analysis are classifications of land use and its dynamics combined with demographic changes for different time series.

Spatial analyses are carried out on different scales on which scenarios for growth, stagnation, shrinkage, and demographic change can be calculated. Interrelations between different quantitative processes can be comprehended much better and future development tendencies can thus be simulated.

Another emphasis is to build up a complex monitoring system that encompasses indicators for the natural, built-up, and social environment. Consequently, socio-demographic indicators and specific phenomena of urban land use change are integrated. Such phenomena are open space development versus inner urban densification, derelict land, and others. Furthermore, features are derived with certain spatial characteristics such as urban structure types, urban configuration with green spaces, intensity of imperviousness. These features are indicators for a spatial differentiation of the natural and built-up environment, and interactions between the urban, suburban, and peri-urban environment are investigated.

When characterising land cover attributes the use of spectral data derived from remote sensing is extremely helpful. Valuable information is gained from sensors at different platforms (satellite, plane, ground) and processed on different scales.

In this field of research remote sensing data are taken to

Quantitative analyses of spatial and temporal dynamics of urban land use and its direction of changes,
Structural analysis in urban regions,
Coupling with hydrological models,
Connecting land use and its changes to climate conditions and climate change.

Land use dynamics in the area of Bitterfeld - Timeline

Development of urban areas - Bitterfeld 1984

Zoom 1984

Development of urban areas - Bitterfeld 1994

Furthermore GIS based procedures of cartographic modelling are applied. This instrument is used to investigate upon spatial delineation of coherences between ecological, economical, and social processes, especially in urban regions.

Topographic, thematic, and statistical information are used to

analyse and monitor processes in urban development,
investigate upon social-spatial processes of differentiations,
investigate dependencies of land use and socio-demographic changes,
analyse the appearance and amplification of flood risks,
analyse the effects of urban land-use changes and structure on urban heat islands.

To support and enhance the data exchange between all project partners, a geodata infrastructure was established. A web-based metadata catalogue system based on GeoNetwork opensource is the fundament for a standard compliant documentation of geodata in combination with mapserver technologies.
As such the administration of project based data and the preparation of gained results through geo web services are guaranteed to use and handle all existing data products.

Scientific approach

Monitoring land use dynamics in the gradient of urban to peri-urban region focussing on open spaces and inner urban densification processes (demolition, empty housing, industrial and commercial derelict land) using high and very high resolution remote sensing data.
Assigning parameters as spatially measurable indicators in urban ecology (e.g. characteristics of surface material with respect to imperviousness of soils, potential of green spaces in urban regions – amount, connectivity, distribution).
Monitoring social-spatial changes based on statistical data at different scales.
Developing land use scenarios.
Delineating strategies to support stakeholders in communes and urban regions.

Projects of the Working Group Geomatics

Publications of the Working Group Geomatics