Weigand, Matthias and Worbis, Simon and Sapena Moll, Marta and Taubenböck, Hannes (2023) A structural catalogue of the settlement morphology in refugee and IDP camps. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, pp. 1-27. Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/13658816.2023.2189724. ISSN 1365-8816.
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Abstract
In the past decade, the number of refugees and internally displaced people (IDP) has doubled. This prompted the construction of more refugee camps and the proliferation of existing camps with diverse structural morphologies. Satellite imagery and machine learning (ML) are increasingly utilized to map these camps. However, there exists no standardized inventory that systemizes the built-up structures of these camps. In this study, we conceptualize the settlement morphology of refugee and IDP camps from satellite images and create a structure catalogue. Using visual image interpretation (VII) of very-high-resolution and multitemporal imagery, we compile a global database of settlement structures from 285 camps across 1,053 observations. This catalogue is subsequently used to synthesize patterns in camp structures and temporal dynamics. The results show stark variations in settlement structures across camps. Despite some similar regional patterns, stark differences in morphologies are a testament to the global heterogeneous landscape of refugee and IDP camp structures. These findings highlight the importance of considering morphological differences in image analyses across camps in future designs of ML-based automated detection and monitoring efforts. Therein, the Structure Catalogue serves as an important foundation for earth observation for humanitarian applications.
Item URL in elib: | https://elib.dlr.de/194370/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Document Type: | Article | ||||||||||||||||||||
Title: | A structural catalogue of the settlement morphology in refugee and IDP camps | ||||||||||||||||||||
Authors: |
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Date: | 28 March 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | International Journal of Geographical Information Science | ||||||||||||||||||||
Refereed publication: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||
Open Access: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gold Open Access: | No | ||||||||||||||||||||
In SCOPUS: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||
In ISI Web of Science: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||
DOI: | 10.1080/13658816.2023.2189724 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Page Range: | pp. 1-27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis | ||||||||||||||||||||
ISSN: | 1365-8816 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Status: | Published | ||||||||||||||||||||
Keywords: | Refugee camps, IDP camps, UNHCR, settlement structures, satellite images, earth observation | ||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Research field: | Aeronautics, Space and Transport | ||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Program: | Space | ||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Program Themes: | Earth Observation | ||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Research area: | Raumfahrt | ||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Program: | R EO - Earth Observation | ||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Research theme (Project): | R - Remote Sensing and Geo Research, R - Geoscientific remote sensing and GIS methods | ||||||||||||||||||||
Location: | Oberpfaffenhofen | ||||||||||||||||||||
Institutes and Institutions: | German Remote Sensing Data Center > Geo Risks and Civil Security | ||||||||||||||||||||
Deposited By: | Weigand, Matthias | ||||||||||||||||||||
Deposited On: | 08 May 2023 10:55 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Last Modified: | 28 Oct 2024 14:38 |
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