Unraveling the potential of AI and Earth Observation for accurate population predictions in urban regions (POPAI)
Accurate urban population distribution information is necessary pre-requisites for a wide range of applications related to urban sustainability. The quality and quantity of population data in numerous countries are often inadequate due to the absence of detailed censuses or large temporal gaps between them. The disparaging effects of this lack of information are most evident in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Global South. As estimated by the UN, more than 60% of the African population will reside in cities by 2050, which further emphasizes the need for accurate population information.
The project aims to fill urban population data gaps in developing countries by harnessing the power of Earth Observation (EO) data and AI. Through an innovative framework, very-high-resolution satellite information will be fused with ancillary sources, such as Volunteer Geographic Information data and machine learning. The long-term goal of POPAI is to better understand the synergy and potential of AI and EO towards scalable population mapping, helping address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, support evidence-based policymaking and foster a better future for the cities of tomorrow.
Projektperiod: 2021-2023
Finansiering: Digital Futures