Automatic detection of built-up areas in high-resolution polarimetric SAR images

Abstract In this paper a method for automatic detection of built-up areas in high-resolution polarimetric SAR images is presented. A feature-based approach was used. Most of the features are based on statistical properties of built-up areas in SAR images. One feature is based on the isotropic spatial distribution of small uniform regions within built-up areas. Introducing this feature allows one to avoid false alarms due to the presence of edges. The features are fused using logistic regression. Results of applying the method on an L-Band fully polarised SAR image with a spatial resolution of 1.5 m are shown.