Energy in the urban environment: use of Terra/ASTER imagery as a tool in urban planning

In the present paper, Terra/ASTER imagery has been analysed together with in-situ spatial data to examine the potential of multi-spectral remote sensing to support urban planning. The potential of ASTER imagery to support energy budget estimation has been also examined by defining and mapping some microclimatic parameters for the centre of the city of Athens. Images in visible, near infrared and thermal infrared areas of the electromagnetic spectrum have been processed to define the urban land cover and topographic characteristics as well as to estimate the spatial distributions of vegetation, visible reflected radiation and brightness temperature. It has been found that ASTER multi-spectral imagery enables a better understanding of energy aspects, their causes and effects, providing an important addition to conventional methods of monitoring the urban environment.