SfM photogrammetry for monitoring urban developments

Abstract

Structure-from-Motion (SfM) Photogrammetry is a valid alternative to traditional photogrammetric methods. This study presents a simplified approach for mapping and monitoring of urban developments in a section of Kuje Area Council in Abuja, Nigeria, utilizing SfM Photogrammetry alongside Google Earth Historical Imagery. The capture of the UAV images in year 2020 was followed by the acquisition of the 2005 Google earth historical image, which was used in tracking and ascertaining the development over time. The two images (the 2020 and the 2005 images) were geometrically aligned to enhance comparison. Features identifiable in both images such as buildings and plots were vectorized. The analysis revealed that the Kuje Area Council has witnessed 120 building constructions in the past 15 years which on average implies 8 building constructions per year. The maps produced can facilitate well informed urban planning in the area.