Repository logo

GEOMATICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repo.agh.edu.pl/handle/AGH/102749

...

Geomatics and Environmental Engineering is an interdisciplinary, international, peer-reviewed and open access journal. It provides an advanced forum for research related to the measurement and visualisation of human surrounding spatial phenomena and spatial objects, including geodesy and cartography in its broadest sense, as well as development and environmental protection problems using engineering and technical methods. It is published since 2007 year by the AGH University Press (Kraków, Poland). From 2007 to 2022 the journal was published quarterly. Currently, six issues are published annually.

New!   Aktualny numer: 2026 - Vol. 20 - No. 3

Roczniki i numery

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 752
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Benefits and limitations of InSAR-based monitoring of ground movements above cavern underground gas storage sites: a Polish case study
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Blachowski, Jan; Głąbicki, Dariusz; Grzempowski, Piotr; Kaczmarek, Aleksandra; Buczyńska, Anna; Owczarz, Karolina; Benndorf, Jörg
    Ground displacement monitoring is a key aspect of assessing the impacts of underground gas storage (UGS). Conventional approaches are based on geodetic methods that, while providing high accuracy, are limited in spatial coverage and temporal resolution. This study assesses the suitability of synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) as a complement to standard ground displacement monitoring and identifies a method with sufficient accuracy to assess ground displacement conditions and facility safety. A comparative analysis was conducted using European Ground Motion Service (EGMS) data and independently derived Sentinel-1-based time series generated with the small baseline subset (SBAS) and persistent scatterer InSAR (PSI) methods. The analysis of a cavern UGS facility located in northern Poland spanned a five-year period from 2019 to 2023 and included error analysis and significance testing of differences between the methods. Observed displacement rates across the study area ranged from −4.3 mm/year for the SBAS method to −0.4 mm/year for PSI. Although the absolute values of the estimated velocities differed among the methods, the differences between the modeled deformation rates were statistically insignificant. The results confirm that InSAR can supplement geodetic monitoring and help investigate seasonal ground deformations associated with gas injection and withdrawal cycles as well as environmental processes, capturing patterns that discrete geodetic measurements may miss.
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Adaptive strategies in urban elevation change for flood risk management: the case of Mamminasata Metropolitan Regions, Indonesia
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Amri, Erwin; Iriansa
    This research aims to analyze elevation change as an adaptation strategy for flooding, identify the dynamics and patterns of adaptation and collaboration between actors, and evaluate the impact of elevation change on the urban environment of Mamminasata, Indonesia. This research uses qualitative methods with interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Data collection involved observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The results show that elevation changes in buildings, land, and road infrastructure trigger an increase in elevation adaptation strategies by actors while expanding the flood-affected areas as a consequence of such measures. The nature of actors’ strategies varies; communities tend to be spontaneous, independent, and informal, while developers and the government employ business strategies and policy support tactics. Consequently, these strategies are fragmented among actors because of the lack of uniformity in elevation regulations. This reflects a pattern of longterm urban adaptation, even in the absence of formal coordination or regulation. Elevation changes negatively impact ecosystems, land stability, and social and physical connectivity. This study recommends the application of elevation changes in planning regulations for zoning and land-use management, as well as collaborative governance, to support adaptation strategies of actors and promote sustainable urban resilience.
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Drought assessment and forecasting according to the Köppen–Geiger climate classification using GRACE and MERRA observations
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Birylo, Monika
    Prolonged and recurrent droughts are a problem of the 21st century. Agriculture, grazing, fires, logging, and mining make soil susceptible to permanent degradation. However, well-managed land can recover from long drought cycles. Because drought is increasingly affecting larger areas, continuous monitoring and risk assessment are essential. Satellite-based models provide global observations of the Earth and enable their assessment using indices, thereby supporting the classification of the examined areas. In this study, the Combined Climatological Deviation Index (CCDI) and the Water Storage Deficit Index (WSDI) were calculated to evaluate drought sensitivity in Europe, within its climatic zones according to the Köppen–Geiger classification. Based on the research, it was concluded that almost all areas show a tendency towards drying, and the predictions indicate that the current drought conditions and their pace will continue. The CCDI and WSDI are very useful in studies of drought in Europe.
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Variations in the application of the benefit principle in the process of determining compensation for the expropriation of real estate
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Trembecka, Anna 
    The objective of this article is to determine the extent to which the inclusion of the benefit principle affects the amount of compensation in expropriation procedures for road investments. An additional area of research is the identification of discrepancies in the practical application of this principle in the context of administrative court case law. The analysis examines the practical consequences of adopting different interpretations for specific properties subject to expropriation. It demonstrates how the chosen interpretation of the benefit principle affects the calculated compensation. The findings indicate the need to revise the regulations regarding the methodology for estimating real estate value, which forms the basis for determining compensation for expropriation.
  • Item type:Journal Issue,
    Geomatics and Environmental Engineering
    2026 - Vol. 20 - No. 3
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Optimizing built-up area extraction in semi-arid regions using Sentinel-2A imagery: a comparative analysis of spectral indices and PCA-based classification in Batna, Algeria
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Wahiba, Touati; Kalla, Mahdi; Kacha, Lemya
    Accurate detection of built-up areas in semi-arid regions is vital for urban planning and environmental monitoring. However, built-up surfaces and bare soils often produce very similar spectral responses. As a result, this similarity causes confusion in satellite image classification. Additionally, spectral overlap among urban materials, bare soil, and sparse vegetation further complicates detection. This study evaluates several spectral indices, including DBSI, NDTI, NDVI, BRBA, and BSI, combined with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to enhance built-up area extraction from Sentinel-2A imagery. Images captured during the driest season were selected to maximize spectral contrast. Three classification schemes based on Support Vector Machine (SVM) were tested. The first scheme used DBSI, NDTI, and NDVI. The second used BRBA, NDTI, and NDVI. The third relied on PCA-derived components. The results indicate that the PCA-based approach achieved the highest classification accuracy at 95%. In comparison, the DBSI/NDTI/NDVI combination reached 93%, while the BRBA/NDTI/NDVI scheme achieved 92%. Therefore, PCA helps reduce spectral confusion and enhances the identification of built-up areas in semi-arid environments. Overall, combining multiple spectral indices with dimensionality reduction offers a reliable method for urban analysis using Sentinel-2 imagery.
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Environmental impact and consequences of EU car fleet development
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Hristova, Yulia; Zhelyazkova, Donka
    This study analyzes the environmental impact of the EU car fleet and investigates the relationship between its age structure, motorization rate, the share of hybrid and electric vehicles, and carbon emission levels, considering both overall trends and regional variations based on population income. The methodology employed descriptive, comparative, and correlational analyses using recent data from European statistical and institutional sources. The findings indicate that despite the growing adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs), the EU car fleet continues to age, and emissions show only a negligible reduction. Significant regional disparities were identified, with wealthier nations maintaining younger, more environmentally sustainable vehicle fleets. Furthermore, air pollution measured by carbon dioxide emissions was positively correlated with vehicle age and negatively correlated with both the share of AFVs and the proportion of newly registered vehicles. The research highlights the tension between the objectives of the circular economy and the crucial need for accelerated fleet modernization, proposing directions for advancing sustainable mobility and environmentally responsible consumer behavior.
  • Item type:Journal Issue,
    Geomatics and Environmental Engineering
    2026 - Vol. 20 - No. 2
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    From Farmland to Cityscape: Urban Growth Simulation in Surkhet Valley, Nepal Using Remote Sensing and CA-Markov Modeling
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Budha, Padam Bahadur; Bhardwaj, Ashutosh; Thapa, Rajesh Bahadur
    Urbanization is rapidly transforming the spatial and socioeconomic landscape of many emerging cities in Nepal, yet relatively little research has explored these dynamics outside the Kathmandu Valley. This study applies a cellular automata-Markov (CA-Markov) model to simulate and predict land use and land cover (LULC) changes in Surkhet Valley, the core of Birendranagar Municipality, one of Nepal’s fastest-growing urban centers. Using Landsat imagery from 1999, 2009, and 2019, alongside spatial and socioeconomic factors, the model captures historical LULC transitions and projects future changes for the years 2029, 2039, and 2049. Model validation was conducted against the 2019 classified LULC map, yielding an overall agreement of 80.65% and a standard kappa statistic of 70.31%, confirming the model’s predictive reliability. Results indicate a clear trajectory of urban expansion at the expense of agricultural land. Built-up surfaces is projected to more than double – from 12.43 km² in 2019 to 31.38 km² in 2049, while cultivated land is expected to decline by over 20 km² in the same period. Spatial analysis shows urban growth intensifying around existing centers, highways, and transitional ecotones between forest and cultivation zones. Compared to similar studies in Kathmandu and Biratnagar, Surkhet exhibits a higher normalized rate of urban expansion, highlighting its emerging role in regional development. This research underscores the value of remote sensing and spatial modeling in urban planning and land management. The findings provide essential insights for policymakers to guide sustainable development in Surkhet and other rapidly urbanizing areas across Nepal.
  • Item type:Article, Access status: Open Access ,
    Potential Carbon Emission Savings from Children’s School Commuting in Urban Areas Based on Smart Mobility Tracking
    (Wydawnictwa AGH, 2026) Putri, Rufia Andisetyana; Buchori, Imam; Sejati, Anang Wahyu; Amalina, Apin Fitri
    The use of emissions-intensive motorized transport for school commuting, particularly in urban areas, is highly concerning. Restricting the use of motorized transport and encouraging independent school mobility provides an opening for emissions reduction. Previous research has demonstrated that independent mobility is a function of various sociodemographics. The present study aims to examine the potential for reducing carbon emissions from children’s school commute through the utilization of smart mobility tracking, with travel distance and sociodemographics as determinants for primary school children in Semarang City, Indonesia. The children’s mobility patterns for school commutes were recorded with portable GPS tracking devices. The data were processed using GIS to analyze routes and distances. Sociodemographic characteristics related to independent mobility were examined using logistic regression. The study estimated the actual and potential carbon emissions resulting from school commute. Travel distance, along with some of the sociodemographic traits, was analyzed to identify children’s potential for independent mobility and the resulting emissions reduction. The findings indicate that increasing the chance of children’s independent mobility could considerably contribute to lowering carbon emissions related to school commutes.