Geoinformatics

Photogrammetry, laser scanning, and other 3D sensing technologies are the main methods for measuring and modelling our living environment in 3D, 4D and virtual reality from point clouds and images. Our team’s research focuses on developing modern close-range mapping solutions and applications as mobile mapping methods and the automation of data processing for 3D modelling.

Professor: Matti Vaaja

Geodesy is the age-old science of where things on or close to the Earth's surface are located. Precisely determining the location of objects, or of oneself while navigating, is challenging. Today's technology of choice is satellite positioning, using global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) deployed by several spacefaring nations. In support of this, geodesists create and maintain geocentric co-ordinate reference frames as well as height systems useful for surveying, mapping and navigation. Our research focuses on the changing Earth including her gravity field, sea level, height systems and movements of the Earth's crust.

Professor: Maaria Nordman

Geoinformation Technology (GeoIT) is an applied research field that uses theories and methods from computer science, information technology and applied mathematics to investigate and model various geographical phenomena. Geospatial data is widely used to describe real-world phenomena and the data are collected, processed, analysed, visualised and stored in specialized ways. Our research and teaching focuses in particular on the development of spatial analysis methods and algorithms, methodological development for spatial simulation, analysis and data mining, as well as software development related to different geospatial applications. 

The GIST Lab research group at the Department of Built Environment specialises in spatial analytics and the development of GeoIT methods to solve spatial problems, in particular those related to sustainable development. Our research is currently funded by the Academy of Finland and the EU, and we are a partner in the EU's Location Innovation Hub and the national Geoportti RI research infrastructure. You can find out more about all our ongoing projects on our website.

Professor: Henrikki Tenkanen

Remote sensing, or Earth observation, is the use data collected by satellite- or airborne sensors to detect phenomena on Earth using electromagnetic radiation. The amount of available remote sensing data is increasing exponentially. Our team’s remote sensing research focuses on monitoring forests from space using satellite images. We are leading experts in measuring and modeling the spectral and structural properties of forests, with a special focus on the complex structures of coniferous forests. Our on-going projects are funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and Academy of Finland.

Read more about our research: aalto.fi/remotesensing

Professor:Miina Rautiainen