QuickBird High-Resolution Satellite Images for Municipal Territorial Management

In recent years, numerous studies of geometric correction models for high-resolution satellite images have been successfully conducted both nationally and internationally. Hence, the enormous potential of this type of data for the production of medium/large scale mapping has been recognized and is assuming a role of primary importance in practical territorial management for both urban and environmental purposes. The present work shows an applied example of the management of an ample portion of territory within the administrative boundaries of a township of approximately 260 square kilometres through the use of high resolution QuickBird satellite imagery. This type of data, by its intrinsic characteristics, having been acquired through panchromatic and multispectral sensors, and for its extensive land dimensions, contains an abundance of information, both geometric and radiometric, allowing for applications both in management of the urban network and fundamental urban planning of large-scale public works, as well as for environmental control planning and much more. More precisely, in the work herein, a mosaic orthophoto map of the entire township was obtained in a scale of 1:5,000 through the aid of three QuickBird scenes, an ad hoc GPS survey to measure GCPs (Ground Control Points), a rigorous geometric correction model whose precision and accuracy has been verified by the results obtained, specific pan-sharpening procedures and appropriate classification methods for high-resolution images. Some illustrative examples of application are then presented exemplifying the use of mapping in the management of urban and surrounding areas with a particular focus on the radiometric content of the remote sensing data.