Tracking Urban Changes with Satellite Imagery: How Change Detection Reveals City Transformations

2025-02-14

(Article updated: 2025-02-14 )

~ 6 min

Cities all over the world are constantly changing - new buildings are being built, roads are being modernized, and green areas are unfortunately very often disappearing from previously established boundaries. In Poland, urban development is particularly dynamic, and tracking these changes plays a key role for urban planners, developers, but also residents. Thanks to modern satellite technology, we can monitor the transformation of urban space in virtually real time.

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Change detection - what is it and how does it work?

Change detection is a technology that allows the comparison of satellite images taken at different times to detect changes in land use. By analyzing satellite images, it is possible to, among other things:

Track the development of new housing developments and road infrastructure.
Analyze changes in green spaces and recreational areas.
Monitor the effects of natural disasters such as floods and droughts.
Evaluate environmental pollution and the impact of urbanization on the urban climate.

Modern remote sensing systems use advanced image analysis algorithms that automatically detect changes based on high-resolution satellite images. Such solutions are becoming an essential component for cities planning for sustainable development and for companies involved in spatial analysis for new developments, urban planning, or monitoring changes in development.

Also read:

Satellite Imagery in Spatial Planning

How do satellites track urban changes?

Satellite observation of the Earth's surface makes it possible to study and analyze urban changes in many different ways. Satellites are enabling effective “tracking” such as infrastructure development, but also ecological and demographic changes.

Satellite images of cities have various applications, including:

Monitoring development: By comparing satellite images from different years, it is possible to determine the rate of development in cities and suburban areas. This allows you to assess where more money is needed to operate public transportation or improve access to public services, such as schools or government offices.
Analysis of urban greenery: Satellite images help track changes in parks and green spaces. It can be determined whether the city is nurturing the development of recreational space or, on the contrary, green areas are being degraded in favor of space for new development.
Evaluation of construction projects: The construction of new housing estates, office buildings or industrial facilities can be monitored based on satellite images. City managers and investors can check the compliance of project developments with zoning plans.

Tracking climate change: Satellites make it possible to assess the impact of infrastructure use on the urban climate, for example by analyzing so-called urban heat islands, areas with higher temperatures compared to rural areas.
Flood risk management: Analysis of historical satellite imagery makes it possible to assess how water levels in rivers and reservoirs are changing and which areas are most vulnerable to flooding.

Urbanization of suburbs– green areas replaced by new developments:

Use of high-resolution satellite imagery

The use of high-resolution satellite imagery plays a key role in monitoring and managing urban development. Below are some applications of this technology, supported by concrete examples:

Identification of illegal construction: With the analysis of satellite imagery, it is possible to detect unauthorized construction projects, which is particularly important in the context of compliance with urban planning regulations
Urban planning: Investors use detailed satellite imagery to design new neighborhoods and assess existing infrastructure. Land cover analysis available on the OnGeo.pl Geoportal enables rapid generation of terrain reports to support planning processes.
Traffic optimization: Analysis of satellite imagery helps identify traffic congestion and develop new transportation solutions. For example, a study published in the journal Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies found that the use of satellite imagery can significantly improve traffic management in cities.
Monitoring industries and economic zones: Satellite images make it possible to track the development of industrial zones and assess their environmental impact. OnGeo Intelligence reports provide satellite data for any location, which is useful for monitoring industrial activity.
Environmental Protection: Detailed satellite imagery allows monitoring of forest clearcuts and the effects of human activity on the natural environments of cities.

Urban Changes in Poland – Comparison of Satellite Images

Below is a comparison of satellite images of Poland from 2001 and 2024, showing dynamic changes in development and green areas:

Analyzing these two satellite images reveals significant spatial transformations. In 2001, this area was largely undeveloped, dominated by fields and a few single-family housing estates. Over more than two decades, the landscape has changed dramatically.

New residential complexes, expanded road infrastructure, and the extension of the tram line are among the key changes visible in the most recent image. The intensification of urban development has led to a significant increase in density, reflecting the city's rapid growth. At the same time, some patches of greenery have remained despite the expansion of urbanization.

By analyzing satellite images, it is possible to closely monitor such changes and assess their impact on the environment and residents' quality of life.

Thanks to satellite technology, we can better understand how Polish cities are changing and what factors are influencing their development. The OnGeo Intelligence platform combines reliable data from a variety of sources to offer reports from satellite imagery that simplify urban decision-making processes.

Want to learn more? Check out how satellite technology can help you analyze changes in your city!