Researchers from Germany recently accomplished a truly daring feat. cartography. Using a variety of data sets, a team from the Technical University of Munich published GlobalBuildingAtlasthe first high-resolution mapping model showing all the structures of the world at a specific point in time.
However, being an open source project is not meant to be something to brag about. The map shows more than 2.75 billion buildings. This project will help provide accurate analysis of urban structures, volume calculations and infrastructure planning across the planet.
“3D building information provides a much more accurate picture of urbanization and poverty than traditional 2D maps,” said study leader Xiaoxiang Zhu. says the statement. “With 3D models, we see not only the area, but also the volume of each building, which allows us to understand living conditions much more accurately.”
Zhu's team also created a new measurement tool to complement the atlas: construction output per capita. This reflects the total mass of development in an area relative to its population and helps measure social and economic inequalities related to housing and infrastructure.
“This indicator supports sustainable urban development and helps cities become more inclusive and sustainable,” Zhu added.
GlobalBuildingAtlas is also unprecedented in its level of detail. An estimated 97 percent of the map's 3D structures are Level of Detail 1, or LoD 1. While high levels of detail do exist, this rating still means that the approximate shape and height of these buildings are accurate enough to be used in a variety of computer modeling projects. With a resolution of 9.8 by 9.8 feet, the atlas is 30 times more detailed than similar projects.
The GlobalBuildingAtlas was compiled using data available as of 2019. However, given its open access format, it is only a matter of time before it becomes even more relevant and useful. Besides everything else, it is also a very cool tool to learn.
