Generation of High-Resolution 3-D Maps for Landscape Planning and Design Using UAV Technologies

To support the decision-making process and to share ideas easily and make them quickly accessible to users, new digital tools are gradually being developed from two-dimensional and threedimensional levels, to the fourth dimension. Traditionally, remote sensing images, including aerial (unmanned or manned) or satellite systems, are used to collect geospatial data. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), however, have recently become a suitable technology for providing exceptionally high spatial and temporal resolution data at a lower cost than other remote sensing data. Landscape architects using UAVs for versatile flying platforms for various sensors and photogrammetric software can create 3-D models faster than traditional topographic research methods. This study aims to demonstrate the potential of using UAVs for obtaining 3-D topographic data from various types of UAVs that can be used as a basis in landscape planning and design studies. This study proposes an established 3-D data generation workflow and its use in landscape design and planning applications using a fixed wing UAV with a GoPro 4 camera having 12 MP CMOS Sensor, and a quadcopter with 20 MP CMOS Sensor to collect image data for 3-D maps using photogrammetry. This study shows that UAVs provide promising opportunities for creating high-resolution and precise images, thus making 3-D mapping easier.