1,720,982 research outputs found
Copernicus Sentinel imagery for more risk-resilient historic cities in coastal zones: contribution to the monitoring of Albenga archaeological site and delta of river Centa
Full text linkEarth observation (EO) technologies and products are traditionally providing an extremely important contribution to a more efficient management of built areas and people during emergencies. Their employment could be extremely useful in monitoring and risk assessment of protected monument and sites situated in potentially vulnerable areas such as costal zones. Change detection has a crucial role in such activities, especially in case of hazardous events—on one side, this method can provide inputs in the phases of risk assessment and rapid mapping for immediate response; on the other side, over prolonged periods of time after the event, change detection can be used for purposes of option analysis of technical solutions and for overall recovery planning of the site. Workflow proposed is based on the use of Copernicus Sentinel-2 data to provide the comparison of changes occurring during extreme flooding events of river Centa, Liguria. Firstly, an investigation of NDVI and NDWI of the extreme flooding event occurring in November 2019 was conducted. The event was then put in correlation with another previously studied flooding hazard occurring in 2016 in the same area that has caused severe damages to the archaeological remains of the medieval church of San Clemente, situated within the Centa riverbed. In conclusion, the results from both years have been compared with ground truth data of topographic database in order to observe the extension of the flooded area and to provide contribution to the monitoring activities. The aim of the research was to offer some novel insight for a more informed decision-making during the risk assessment, risk management and resilience phases regarding the vulnerable built heritage sites found in coastal areas
Evaluation of Changes in the City Fabric Using Multispectral Multi-temporal Geospatial Data: Case Study of Milan, Italy
Full text linkIn recent decades the global effects of climate change have requested for a more sustainable approach in thinking and planning of our cities, making them more inclusive, safe and resilient. In terms of consumption of natural resources and pollution, cities are seen as entities with most significant impact to the natural environment. Strategic policies focused on tackling the challenges induced by climate change suggest in fact the necessity to start from the management and operating models of the cities themselves. This study illustrates an initial evaluation of parameters for purposes of urban generation studies using optical multi-spectral satellite imagery from Landsat-5, Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 missions. The changes in land occupation and urban density are the first aspects chosen to be examined for the period 1985–2020. The focus was given on possible modifications occurred in occasion of Milano Expo 2015. The paper firstly explores the known best band combination for observation of urban fabric. Suggestions derived have then been calibrated with reference to ground truth data, while the image pairs over the 35 years span were then build with selected bands. Finally, all image pairs have been processed for Principal Component Analysis in order to identify possible “hot-spots” of significant changes. The results found on the image pair 2006–2015 have been explored in detail and checked upon official orthophotos. Monitoring of changes in urban fabric using multispectral optical imagery can provide valuable insights for further evaluation of single urban generation interventions. Such contributions could be considered in the processes of urban planning policies in a more systematic manner
Impact of land-use change and soil erosion on cultural landscapes: the case of cultural paths and sites in Paphos district, Cyprus
No full textIn 2006 UNESCO report has identified soil loss as one of the main threats of climate change with possible impact to natural and cultural heritage. This study illustrates results of applied geomatics approach, undertaken in order to identify the portions of the ancient Hellenistic-Roman Road network in Paphos district in Cyprus, that are undergoing major pressure caused by soil erosion and soil loss. In particular, Earth Observation methods were applied for identification, mapping and estimation of the possible soil loss caused by soil erosion in the period of the past 30 years. Special attention was given to the land use/land cover factor (C) and its impact on the overall estimation of the soil-loss. Cover factor represents the effect of soil-disturbing activities, plants, crop sequence and productivity level, soil cover and subsurface bio-mass on soil erosion. Urban areas have a definite role in retarding the recharge process, leading to increased runoff and soil loss in the broader area. On the other hand, natural vegetation plays a predominant role in reducing water erosion. Cover factor was estimated, classified and observed in years 1987 and 2016 in the District of Paphos and more specifically over Hellenistic-Roman Roads network corridors. The variance of the values between two years was then calculated in order to identify the areas under major pressure of soil erosion caused by the changes in land use and land cover
THE CONTRIBUTION OF EARTH OBSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES TO MONITORING STRATEGIES OF CULTURAL LANDSCAPES AND SITES
Full text linkCoupling of Climate change effects with management and protection of cultural and natural heritage has been brought to the attention of policy makers since several years. On the worldwide level, UNESCO has identified several phenomena as the major geo-hazards possibly induced by climate change and their possible hazardous impact to natural and cultural heritage: Hurricane, storms; Sea-level rise; Erosion; Flooding; Rainfall increase; Drought; Desertification and Rise in temperature. The same document further referrers to satellite Remote Sensing (EO) as one of the valuable tools, useful for development of “professional monitoring strategies”. More recently, other studies have highlighted on the impact of climate change effects on tourism, an economic sector related to build environment and traditionally linked to heritage. The results suggest that, in case of emergency the concrete threat could be given by the hazardous event itself; in case of ordinary administration, however, the threat seems to be a “hazardous attitude” towards cultural assets that could lead to inadequate maintenance and thus to a risk of an improper management of cultural heritage sites. This paper aims to illustrate potential benefits that advancements of Earth Observation technologies can bring to the domain of monitoring landscape heritage and to the management strategies, including practices of preventive maintenance. The attempt here is to raise awareness on the importance of integrating satellite remote sensing imagery and the deriving products with other geospatial information (even geo-referenced historic maps) for a more complete insight on the environmental dynamics of landscapes
Teaching geomatics to architecture students: low-cost modelling approach for critical interpretation of architectural design context
Full text linkAlthough the practice of architects and urban planners often relies on the data and products of geomatics disciplines, such as digital technical cartography, orthophotos and sophisticated digital models, the information about the instruments, technologies and techniques that produce such contents are seldom extensively included in the curricula of the future architects. A “playground” at which teaching staff of different disciplines, for example design, planning and geomatics, can meet and interact with each other in a wider interdisciplinary context, has been identified in a laboratorial university courses. The paper reports on a three-phases teaching method applied within the module of “Digital modelling” at the final year of the Bachelor degree in Architecture at Politecnico di Milano (Italy). The method is illustrated using two case studies: (i) a contemporary XX century prefabricated building, hosting one part of the Municipality archives in Milan and (ii) an impressive example of neoclassical architecture, Albergo dei Poveri in Naples. The aim of the paper is to illustrate how geomatics techniques can be integrated with courses of architecture design and urban planning with notable results achieved in students’ skill-development in terms of in-situ data acquisition using open data and low-cost instruments, data processing with low and no-cost state-of-the-art software and, finally 2D and 3D digital representation of built environment at building and district scale. Specifically, the method is used as a presumption to describe and discuss possible concrete contribution of the low-cost modelling approach in support to the critical interpretation of an architectural design context
Contribution of earth observation and geospatial information for urban planning of historic cities’ centres: The case study of Nicosia, Cyprus
Full text linkThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations state that cities and human settlements need to be more inclusive, safe and resilient. In Europe cities have experienced dramatic physical, social and economic changes during the last decades while historic centres of European cities, among the most important assets of the European cultural heritage, are living paradoxes. They are defined as “a collection of beauty, icon of well-being, model of sustainability, but abandoned”. This study investigates the changes in the urban landscape of Nicosia, a particular historical centre in the Mediterranean region (Cyprus). The city centre is characterised by excep-tionally well-preserved Venetian fortifications. Due to political circumstances, the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, is still divided and has been ruled by two different administrations for several decades. This study used optical multi-spectral satellite datasets processing, like the Landsat and the most recent Sentinel-2 products, to detect, identify and characterise significant morphological transformations within the walled city and around it. This paper’s central thesis promotes a more systematic use of earth observation products and derivatives in decision-making processes that regard planning, use and management of urban resources in Europe, especially in support of urban planning strategies of historic cities
An integrated hbim-gis digital environment for heritage preservation and enhancement in the inner italian territory
Full text linkDepopulation in Italy is causing the marginalization of several inner territories and municipalities, with consequences for the preservation of different levels of heritage. The Italian National Strategy for Inner Areas (SNAI) aims to address these issues, but in some cases, the policies undertaken are not effective enough to improve development. In this context, the integration of Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) and Geographic Information System (GIS), as a potential solution in the enhancement of knowledge, information, and project management, could be an important resource to lean on. To investigate this aspect, the municipality of Dosso del Liro in the Northern part of Lake Como (Lombardy) has been chosen as a case study, based on its marginality and its territorial variety. The research methodology involves a combination of field data collection, bibliographical and archival investigations, database research, and digital recording of heritage, with the purpose of modelling and analyzing the territorial context on different aspects and at different scales. Precisely, multi-disciplinarity and multi-scalarity (but also multitemporality) are the key points for the HBIM-GIS modelling. Thus, trying to integrate and interpret in this innovative way the information acquired, the research aims to investigate the possibility of improvement for the creation of effective strategies and projects in the Inner Areas. The idea, in fact, is that with an increased knowledge and awareness of the heritage, the requirements for the design phase will be better in sight, and the quality of the intervention will be increased
Monitoring of Damages to Cultural Heritage across Europe Using Remote Sensing and Earth Observation: Assessment of Scientific and Grey Literature
Full text linkThis research is part of a wider framework of index literature studies that have been conducted in the past few years. Some of these have had a focus on specific remote sensing (RS) technologies, while others have tackled specific threats to cultural heritage and landscapes. By considering both damages to heritage sites and technologies used for documentation and the monitoring of such occurrences, this paper unveils the current trends on a global scale in the study of the threats to heritage caused by both human-induced and natural hazards. Papers published by Europe-based researchers over the last 20 years using RS and Earth Observation (EO) techniques were surveyed alongside recommendations and programmatic documents issued by institutions in charge of heritage protection and management of several countries in Europe. Around 300 documents, including scientific articles (published from 2000 until 2022) and Grey literature (from 2008 and 2022), were analysed. The data collection and analysis were undertaken by a working group that was intentionally composed to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise, i.e., requirements of heritage professionals using RS and EO technologies, knowledge on technologies and their use in the field, and expertise in methodology implementation to support heritage management. The results highlight the type of hazards considered the most and the geographical distribution of the archaeological sites and monuments targeted by these studies; the countries the researchers are affiliated with; the types of RS and specifically satellite-based technologies used (and hence the type of data used); the tendencies of satellite data usage-visual interpretation, image processing, employment of machine learning, and AI; the technologies most applied by public institutions and practitioners; and many others. Recommendations and future trajectories are then outlined to efficiently reframe discrepancies between types of damage that have received the greatest attention in the literature and the most impactful ones in terms of the number of sites damaged
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
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