Space Technology and Geographic Information Systems Applications in adb projects

Source
http://www.adb.org/projects/42248-022/main 
ST Application
Satellite-based land coverage map and DEM preparation
ST Data 
Terra ASTER satellite stereo images, Landsat 7 ETM+ images
ST Cost
$75,000
ST Service Providers
CEGIS in Bangladesh
Users
Bangladesh Water Development Board and others
ASTER = Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, DEM = digital elevation model, ETM+ = Enhanced Thematic 
Mapper Plus, ST = space technology.
Context
The Chittagong Hill Tracts is a 13,000 km
2
isolated area in Bangladesh. The rapid decline in dense forest 
in this area has been directly associated with the depletion of water resources. During ADB’s Study for 
Potential for Integrated Small-Scale Water Resources Development in in the Second Chittagong Hill Tracts 
Rural Development Project, the lack of topographic and resource mapping of the area became increasingly 
evident. This technical assistance project was undertaken to produce land use and topographic maps of 
Chittagong Hill Tracts using remote sensing to support the preparation of the Second Chittagong Hill Tracts 
Rural Development Project (TA7432-BAN, Loan2763-BAN), which will provide rural infrastructure. 
Contribution of Space Technology 
The land use and/or cover map was derived from orthorectified Advanced Spaceborne Thermal
Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite images with 15 meter (m) image resolution. Stereo 
ASTER images were also used for DEM preparation with Leica Photogrammetry Suite. 
Results
This study provided land use and topographic maps of the Chittagong Hill Tracts area that can provide the 
basis for a GIS database on natural resources, which will enhance the capacity of Chittagong Hill Tracts-
specific institutions to better plan and monitor natural resources and development interventions. This 
topographic map is necessary for designing small-scale water resources infrastructure including hydrological 
analysis (flood estimation and water balance). Similarly, a comprehensive land use mapping of the area will 
aid in (i) understanding the land use patterns of the area, (ii) identifying vulnerable locations, (iii) planning 
development activities in a coordinated comprehensive manner with other development partners, (iv) locating 
roads, rivers, and/or water bodies in relation to human settlements, and (v) ascertaining infrastructure-based 
deprivation indices.