This would streamline data collection on urban growth and infrastructure expansion, supporting more effective planning efforts.

To address this, Latitudo 40 proposed using Sentinel-2 imagery combined with advanced machine learning algorithms to classify different construction phases. The methodology involved:

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How it Works:

• Binary Classification: The system first determines whether there is "nothing" (no construction activity) or "something" (active construction), achieving an impressive accuracy of 93.25%.
• Multi-Class Classification: The system then categorises construction phases into land clearing, foundation work, and structure building, with an accuracy rate of 81.77%. Further refinements are underway to improve accuracy for underrepresented phases like foundation work.

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The technology developed for Statistics Canada goes beyond construction monitoring, offering valuable applications in urban planning, policy making, and sustainability:

• Urban Planning: The real-time insights into construction phases allow city planners to monitor progress, anticipate future growth, and adjust plans accordingly. This improves efficiency and enables more proactive urban design, ensuring that infrastructure expansion aligns with population growth and sustainability goals.
• Policy Making: Policy makers benefit from real-time construction data, providing essential economic indicators for resource allocation and zoning decisions. The system helps shape regional and national strategies by offering accurate data on new construction trends.
• Sustainability: Our platform supports sustainable urban development by monitoring construction activities to ensure they align with environmental goals. This data allows for better prioritisation of resources, helping minimise environmental impacts during urban expansion.

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This initiative helps Statistics Canada and urban developers efficiently monitor building activity and gain valuable real-time insights through the power of satellite imagery and AI. This not only improves decision-making but also enhances the ability to plan for sustainable urban development.

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