Every week here at Geo Week News, we have been highlighting some of our favorite stories from around the internet that cover the geospatial, 3D, and AEC industries. Whether it’s a fascinating case study, insights from an industry thought leader, or deep dives into new tools, there is never any shortage of great writing and storytelling in this industry. So, below you can find links to three stories that we loved this week.
Communities Facing Disasters
Carl C. de Baca, PS | The American Surveyor
This article explores how communities can better prepare for and respond to natural disasters through improved surveying, mapping, and geospatial data collection. It emphasizes that accurate, up-to-date spatial information is crucial for disaster preparedness, emergency response, and recovery efforts - helping communities identify vulnerable areas, plan evacuation routes, and coordinate relief operations more effectively. The piece highlights how modern surveying technology and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) are becoming essential tools for building community resilience against floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and other catastrophic events.
Mapping The Foundations of Britain’s Future Infrastructure
Eric Van Rees | Geo:
This article discusses how detailed underground mapping and geospatial data are becoming essential for planning Britain's future infrastructure development. It highlights the need for comprehensive subsurface surveys to understand what lies beneath cities - including existing utilities, geological conditions, and potential hazards - before major construction projects begin. The piece emphasizes that investing in accurate underground mapping now will save costs, prevent delays, and enable smarter, more sustainable infrastructure decisions as Britain modernizes its roads, railways, utilities, and urban development in the coming decades.
Identifying War-Damaged Buildings Using InSAR
jnally | Spatial Source
Here, InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology is being used to identify and assess war-damaged buildings from space. InSAR works by comparing satellite radar images taken at different times to detect even millimeter-level changes in ground and building positions, making it possible to map structural damage across conflict zones without putting surveyors at risk. The technology is proving invaluable for humanitarian organizations, reconstruction planners, and insurance assessors who need to rapidly identify damaged infrastructure in dangerous or inaccessible war-torn areas, providing crucial data for post-conflict recovery efforts.
