What is Remote Sensing?
Remote Sensing is the science of gathering information about objects or areas from a distance, like imagery from aircrafts or satellites. At LGeo, we use this technology to analyse imagery and apply advanced algorithms to detect, classify, and help predict environmental and urban changes.
Our Expertise
Remotely sensed data such as regional aerial imagery or LiDAR requires complex modelling pathways for data manipulation and transformation. We wrangle the data and produce pipelines that are reproducible, shareable, and supported by documentation.
Big Data
Processing
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco
As data nerds, we love to keep up with the latest research in the field. This means that our solutions are informed by research and designed for success.
Research Informed Problem Solving
We bridge remote sensing with socioeconomic and environmental concerns
Interested in how advanced remote sensing and machine learning can transform your strategic decision making? At LGeo, we integrate the latest technologies to offer detailed, predictive insights that guide complex environmental and urban planning efforts. We harness the full power of high-resolution spectral imagery, 3D point cloud data, and advanced machine learning algorithms to deliver precise analyses of land use dynamics, environmental changes, and urban development patterns. Our remote sensing applications allow us to detect and monitor subtle changes across vast areas, providing you with the intelligence needed to make informed, strategic decisions.
Empower your projects with actionable data! We specialise in crafting customized solutions that address specific challenges, whether that be assessing risk for disaster preparedness, monitoring ecological health, or planning sustainable urban expansions, our outputs are designed to be as practical as they are insightful.
Explore the below case studies to learn more....
Extreme Heat Modelling and Vulnerability Assessment
Rooftop Unit Detection in Buildings
Urban Canopy Carbon Sequestration Modelling
Historical Aerial Photograph Interpretation for Land and Waterway Evolution
In addition to these we have also completed projects with: the Vancouver Economic Commission, Abbotsford, Surrey, Richmond, Kamloops, Langley (Township), West Vancouver, North Vancouver (District) and more work with the Province of British Columbia.
Case Studies
THE CHALLENGE
Recognizing the profound impact of the 2021 “heat dome”, an extreme heat event that inflicted severe health consequences throughout the Province, there emerged an imperative need for comprehensive analyses and assessments of extreme heat across all levels of government. In response to the recent extreme heat events in British Columbia, the Capital Regional District (CRD) commissioned a comprehensive study to understand and address extreme heat vulnerability in the Capital Region.
LGeo was tasked with the challenge of developing a nuanced understanding of extreme heat risks to communities and infrastructure within the CRD. The primary project aim was to develop a holistic understanding of extreme heat vulnerability. This prompted us to examine three critical aspects: (1) extreme heat exposure, (2) socio-demographic vulnerability, and (3) building-level vulnerability.
Case Study 1
Extreme Heat Vulnerability in the Capital Region
THE SOLUTION
With this ambitious goal in mind, LGeo, in collaboration with Thrive Consulting, brought expertise in geospatial analysis, remote sensing, vulnerability mapping, and engagement to the forefront. Our teams embarked on a project to provide comprehensive insights into the critical issue of extreme heat vulnerability, with the following key objectives:
-
Conduct a robust consultation process with key partners and heat-vulnerability subject matter experts including local and regional governments, health practitioners, First Nation representatives, emergency services and first responders, and climatologists and meteorologists.
-
Identify key determinants of risk to extreme heat, focusing specifically on socio-demographic, building, and heat exposure vulnerabilities.
The project has resulted in a detailed mapping effort of extreme heat vulnerability across the Capital Region that highlights areas with overlapping vulnerabilities and identifies priority zones for intervention, mitigation, and adaptation strategies. Key outcomes of this work include:
-
Detailed vulnerability assessments for municipalities that provide data-driven insights for emergency response and mitigation planning;
-
Development of spatial data that has been leveraged by GeoBC into an online platform for the public and stakeholders to access and utilize the vulnerability indices;
-
Strategic recommendations and insights for integrating findings into local government planning and policy-making.
This project successfully attributes multiple determinants of vulnerability using a range of remote sensing techniques and analyses. Specifically for the heat exposure analysis, we utilized LANDSAT 8 satellite imagery, digital terrain modeling, and weather station data to model air temperature during the 2021 heat dome event. For the building vulnerability index, multiple remote sensing analyses were conducted including building footprint delineation and building height attribution derived from lidar, rooftop albedo derived from Sentinel-2A satellite imagery, and mean solar insolation per building derived using a digital surface model (DSM).
The research and analysis undertaken in this project represent a significant advancement in both the understanding and identification of extreme heat vulnerability within the Capital Region, but also how regional and local governments may measure and assess extreme heat vulnerability in their communities. By leveraging a multidisciplinary approach that combines socio-demographic vulnerability, heat exposure, and building vulnerability, this research offers a holistic and nuanced perspective on extreme heat vulnerability in the region that identifies key areas and populations that exhibit elevated risk to extreme heat.
Through this project, LGeo and Thrive made strides in ensuring that the hard lessons from past tragedies translate into more resilient futures. To explore the resulting innovative mapping layers, visit this public online platform hosted by GeoBC.
Case Study 2
Rooftop Unit Detection in Vancouver
THE CHALLENGE
The City of Vancouver tasked LGeo with assessing building GHG emissions across the city, blending data from multiple sources to outline both current levels and future scenarios. Key to understanding building energy use was gaining insights into Rooftop Units (RTUs) used in HVAC systems. Typically, data on RTUs isn't well integrated, is disparate, or missing entirely. This makes it challenging to manage their impact on city-wide energy consumption effectively.
THE SOLUTION
In response to this challenge, we developed a method using high-resolution aerial imagery and machine learning to detect and analyse RTUs in Vancouver. Our machine learning model was specifically trained to find RTUs from imagery, and returns the RTU spatial location, size, and weight. Our RTU detection methods produce results that are integrated into further energy and emissions work, but also creates a first-of-its-kind, complete dataset of RTUs across the city for the City to use in their energy management and building retrofit programs.
Case Study 3
Langley Urban Forest Management Strategy
THE CHALLENGE
The City of Langley’s prospective urban development presents some potential challenges to the city’s urban tree canopy, which has necessitated a strategic approach to manage and mitigate any potential development impacts to Langley’s urban forest. The City needed a reliable approach to understand the future state of its urban forest in the face of increasing urban development pressures.
THE SOLUTION
The City of Langley approached LGeo, in collaboration with Diamond Head Consulting, to develop a comprehensive urban forest management strategy. This strategy is designed to include an understanding of anticipated impacts of urban development on the city’s tree canopy over the long term, and to allow for the City to produce data-informed mitigation strategies. Our approach integrates a detailed development forecast model that projects changes at the property level through to 2050. The model is finely tuned to assess the probability of development and its potential development impact on tree canopy, thereby providing the city with highly localised insights to guide sustainable urban development and green space management.
Case Study 4
Historical Aerial Photograph Interpretation for Land and Waterway Evolution
THE CHALLENGE
LGeo was approached by Forward Law LLC to provide critical insights into the historical evolution of a property along the North Thompson River, testimony that was relevant to a complex environmental litigation case, The focal questions raised by this case centered around understanding how the paths of Price Creek and Rosen Brook changed over decades, determining if there was evidence of human intervention, and establishing historical flooding patterns. These findings were to inform potential environmental liabilities based on the property's environmental history. Drawing on interpretation of historical aerial photographs from 1948, 1972, and 1994, our task was to synthesize decades of land and waterway transformations into a comprehensive report.
THE SOLUTION
At LGeo, we specialize in geospatial analysis and the application of remote sensing techniques, including aerial imagery interpretation. Leveraging our expertise and state-of-the-art technology, we delivered a comprehensive analysis of the Page property's historical evolution.
Our approach involved:
-
Historical Aerial Image Analysis: Using a series of aerial photographs to trace changes in creek pathways, identify potential interventions, and observe notable topographical features.
-
Integration with Lidar & Remote Sensing: Merging historical images with the 2019 lidar dataset to ensure accurate interpretation, compensating for potential gaps in the aerial photographs.
-
Analysis of Creek Changes & Interventions: Investigating the trajectories of Price Creek and Rosen Brook over the decades and discerning both natural and man-made alterations.
-
Identification of Potential Flood Areas: Utilizing elevation data in tandem with historical images to pinpoint areas susceptible to flooding, contributing to future planning and risk management.
-
Mapping and Reporting: Designing accessible maps of interpretation and supporting narrative to facilitate discussion on Creek transitions between years and datasets and offering a holistic view of the property's transformations.
The detailed report has been furnished to the concerned parties. This endeavor stands as a testament to our dedication in delivering precise and actionable geospatial insights.
