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Urban Atlas: Europe's eye in the sky provides cities with tools for smart development

European cities and municipal authorities face significant new challenges for future urban planning in the coming years and this project provides a practical and cost-effective solution for their needs.


Through the use of European space technology we will open up possibilities for mutual learning from a land use perspective and help cities to make more informed investment decisions. The Urban Atlas demonstrates the benefit of an integrated European approach and is an excellent example of how space based applications contribute to local solutions across Europe.”

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What do Prague, Leipzig, Cork, Ljepaja, Poznan, Nice, Glasgow, Venice or Gozo have in common? Whether big or small, European cities need reliable and comparable urban planning information for safe, sustainable and prosperous development. This year, for the first time, 185 cities from all 27 EU Member States, will benefit from the “Urban Atlas”, which has been produced by the European Commission and Member States with the support of European space technology. Compiled from thousands of satellite photographs, the Urban Atlas provides detailed and cost-effective digital mapping, ensuring that city planners have the most up-to-date and accurate data available on land use and land cover. The Urban Atlas will enable urban planners to better assess risks and opportunities, ranging from threat of flooding and impact of climate change, to identifying new infrastructure and public transport needs. All cities in the EU will be covered by the Urban Atlas by 2011._

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GMES
European Space Policy

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