International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) is an international non-governmental organization that enhances international cooperation between the worldwide organizations with interests in the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences. Established in 1910, ISPRS is the oldest international umbrella organization in its field, which may be summarized as addressing “information from imagery”. ISPRS achieves its aims by:

• Advancing knowledge in the areas of interest of ISPRS by encouraging and facilitating research and development, scientific networking and inter-disciplinary activities
• Facilitating education and training with particular emphasis in less developed countries
• Enhancing public recognition of the contributions of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences for the benefit of humankind and the sustainability of the environment

The ISPRS scientific and technical programs are organized by eight Technical Commissions. Each Commission is sponsored by an ISPRS member organization for the four-year period between Congresses. The eight Technical Commissions have established more than 60 Working Groups which are responsible for particular topics within the Commissions’ areas of responsibility. All Technical Commissions hold a Symposium within their country in 2014. Smaller workshops will be organized by the Working Groups before the 2016 Congress is organised from July 12–19, 2016 in Prague, Czech Republic, by the Czech Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (http://www.isprs2016-prague.com).

Areas of interest of ISPRS

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is used for the derivation of 3D information of points, lines and areas on the terrain from aerial and satellite images for the development of geospatial databases and spatial information systems (SIS). The data can be used in digital, graphical and orthophoto forms as maps, charts and overlays. Photogrammetry is also used for the general measurement and interpretation of objects from images, image sequences, and other non-contact techniques, by providing precise 3D point coordinates and other geometric and semantic object information for populating spatial databases and for creating virtual reality 3D scenes with real-life textured models.

Remote Sensing

Remotely sensed observations of the Earth from air- and space-borne sensors provide the basis for mapping of human and natural activities; for monitoring change; for assessing and mitigating disasters; for identifying and assessing non-renewable resources; for monitoring temporal changes in weather, land and sea cover; and for many other applications. Spatial and semantic descriptions of objects and features are derived from 3D measurements of imagery, and the interpretation of their spectral and semantic attributes from panchromatic, multispectral and other remotely sensed data.

Spatial Information Sciences

The description and location of objects and features obtained from images, as well as temporal relationships between physical objects and processes, can be integrated with other data using approaches from Spatial Information Science for analysis, simulation, prediction, visualization purposes. Spatial Information Science is being applied in urban and infrastructure planning, land and resource management, monitoring the environment, and understanding many other natural and man-made processes and phenomena.

Activities of ISPRS

The principal activities of ISPRS are:

1. Stimulating the formation of national and regional Societies of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences.
2. Initiating and coordinating research in photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences.
3. Holding international Congresses, Symposia and Workshops at regular intervals.
4. Ensuring worldwide circulation of the records of discussion and the results of research by publication of the International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences" and the newly established peer-reviewed "International Annals of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences .
5. Encouraging the publication and exchange of scientific papers and journals dealing with the areas of interest to ISPRS, in particular in the ISPRS Journals on Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing and the ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information.

(see Statute IV of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing).

Organization of ISPRS

ISPRS is currently a Society composed of 91 national and 14 regional societies and organizations, led by a Council for policy direction and management in accordance with Resolutions set forth by its General Assembly, which convenes every four years in a Congress. Organizations may join ISPRS as:

• Ordinary Members: Representing the whole community of photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information specialists in the country or region.
• Associate Members: Representing a community that has a strong interest in participating in the Society’s affairs, and which is not represented by the Ordinary Member organization of the country.
• Regional Members: A multi-national association established for the purpose of considering issues of common interest, promoting regional cooperation, convening regional conferences etc.
• Sustaining Members: Organizations, institutions, agencies or individuals, involved in Society related commerce or engaged in research and/or education and who contribute financial support for the Society’s objectives.
• Honorary Members: Up to ten living individuals recognized for distinguished service to the ISPRS and its aims.
• Fellows: In recognition of sustained, excellent services to ISPRS and its aims, an individual may be elected as a Fellow of the Society.

Individuals usually participate in the activities of the Society through affiliation of an ISPRS Member organization. Individuals interested in contributing to the scientific and technologic activities of the Society are encouraged to join one of the Working Groups which operate under the leadership of the eight Technical Commissions.

ISPRS Council 2012-2016

President: Chen Jun (China)

Secretary General: Christian Heipke (Germany)

First Vice President: Orhan Altan (Turkey)

Second Vice President: Marguerite Madden (USA)

Congress Director: Lena Halounová (Czech Republic)

Treasurer: Jon Mills (United Kingdom)

Technical Commissions 2012-2016

The technical commissions are responsible for, and manage all aspects of, the scientific and technical activities of ISPRS.

ISPRS Foundation

The ISPRS Foundation is intended to improve the ability of ISPRS to satisfy its aims and objectives, by administering a broadly-based international program of fund raising to provide grants to qualified individuals and organizations, who are pursuing and/or applying knowledge for advancing the sciences and technologies associated with the disciplines embodied by ISPRS. The Foundation raises, invests and grants funds on an unrestricted basis for this purpose. It contributes significantly to the efforts of ISPRS in international cooperation and technology transfer.

Publications

• ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences contain selected double-blind peer-reviewed scientific contributions of ISPRS Congresses, Symposia and a number of Workshops. The series was newly established in 2012.
• The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences contain the proceedings and the scientific and technical presentations of all ISPRS Congresses, Symposia and selected Workshops.
• ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing is the official peer-reviewed publication of the Society on photogrammetry and remote sensing. It is published by Elsevier twelve times per year and contains scientific and technical articles and reviews.^[1][2]
• ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, an international scientific open access journal on geo-information, is the official peer-reviewed publication of the Society on geo-information. It is published online by MDPI every three months.^[1][3]
• ISPRS eBulletin is the official bulletin of the Society, published and distributed electronically about every two months. It contains such items as current news, membership information, references to the ISPRS Annual Reports, reports from ISPRS activities, keynote speeches, book, project and technology reviews, and minutes of Council and Technical Commission meetings.
• ISPRS Book Series includes high quality refereed papers from ISPRS Congresses, Symposia or Workshops, to provide information to a wider international audience.
• ISPRS web site (www.isprs.org) contains a large part of the material from the above information sources.

International Links

ISPRS is an active member of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), and the International Council for Science (ICSU). The Society has significant relations with several arms of the UN, related international scientific societies, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). ISPRS works with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs to organize workshops and has representatives on CEOS and ISO Working Groups.

See also

• American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
• CIPA (organization)

References

As of 21 October 2009, this article uses content from the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, which has been licensed under the CC-By-SA and GFDL. All relevant terms must be followed.

External links

• www.isprs.org - ISPRS website
• www.isprs.org/foundation - The ISPRS Foundation website