Population estimation using 3D city modelling and Carto2S datasets -- A case study

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how high-resolution satellite imagery and 3D city modeling can accurately estimate population and resource distribution in urban areas, aiding local planning and decision-making.

Contribution

It introduces a methodology combining Carto2S satellite data, DEM/DTM generation, and 3D city modeling for precise population estimation and resource assessment.

Findings

High-resolution DEMs enable accurate building height extraction.

3D city models facilitate detailed population and resource estimation.

Satellite and OSM data integration improves urban planning accuracy.

Abstract

With the launch of Carto2S series of satellites, high resolution images (0.6-1.0 meters) are acquired and available for use. High resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with better accuracies can be generated using C2S multi-view and multi date datasets. DEMs are further used as an input to derive Digital terrain models (DTMs) and to extract accurate heights of the objects (building and tree) over the surface of the Earth. Extracted building heights are validated with ground control points and can be used for generation of city modelling and resource estimation like population estimation, health planning, water and transport resource estimations. In this study, an attempt is made to assess the population of a township using high-resolution Indian remote sensing satellite datasets. We used Carto 2S multi-view data and generated a precise DEM and DTM over a city area. Using DEM and DTM datasets, accurate heights of the buildings are extracted which are further validated with ground data. Accurate building heights and high resolution imagery are used for generating accurate virtual 3D city model and assessing the number of floor and carpet area of the houses/ flats/ apartments. Population estimation of the area is made using derived information of no of houses/ flats/ apartments from the satellite datasets. Further, information about number of hospital and schools around the residential area is extracted from open street maps (OSM). Population estimation using satellite data and derived information from OSM datasets can prove to be very good tool for local administrator and decision makers.