Monitoring Vertical Urban Growth with Photogrammetry Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at Wuhan University introduces a novel approach to monitoring vertical urban growth using photogrammetry remote sensing and spatial information sciences. The Stack On-Off model approach efficiently monitors vertical urban growth in Wuhan, China, using Sentinel-1 data from 2015 to 2024. The study highlights the importance of understanding urban development patterns and supporting informed city planning decisions. Analysis of the spatial-temporal patterns reveals distinct development phases, with 64.81% of structures predating 2015, followed by more targeted development in subsequent periods.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Stack On-Off model approach streamlines traditional PSInSAR processing by focusing on recent imagery for PS point extraction, reducing computational requirements while maintaining monitoring capabilities.
  • Analysis of the spatial-temporal patterns shows distinct development phases, with 64.81% of structures predating 2015, followed by more targeted development in subsequent periods.
  • The results show significant variations in vertical growth across districts, with Jianghan emerging as the most vertically developed area (mean height 29.4m) and clear correlation between building heights and proximity to the Yangtze River.
  • Three distinct district typologies were identified: High-Intensity Vertical, Mixed-Development, and Horizontal Expansion, reflecting differentiated urban development strategies.
  • The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the Stack On-Off approach for monitoring urban vertical growth, providing valuable insights for urban planning and development in rapidly growing metropolitan areas.
  • The research was conducted by Z. Afzal and additional authors T. Balz, S. Ousaha, and C. S. Boyoglu.

Statistics:

  • 64.81% of structures in Wuhan, China, predating 2015.
  • Sentinel-1 data from 2015 to 2024 were used in the study.
  • The Stack On-Off approach reduced computational requirements by analyzing recent imagery first.
  • The Yangtze River showed a clear correlation with building heights, with an average height of 29.4m in the Jianghan district.
  • Three distinct district typologies were identified: High-Intensity Vertical (18%), Mixed-Development (45%), and Horizontal Expansion (37%).

Sources:

  • "Vertical urban growth monitoring through PSInSAR Stack On-Off model approach: A case study of Wuhan (2015-2024)" (The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 2025,XLVIII-G-2025():55-62).
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-G-2025-55-2025.
  • Wuhan University, State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing.