At the intersection of technology, space, and society, The Geospatial Laboratory at UBT serves as a dynamic hub for spatial thinking and innovation. Designed to empower research, education, and practical applications, the lab brings together students, researchers, and professionals from diverse fields—ranging from urban planning and environmental science to public health, data analysis, and digital humanities.
Taking into consideration the interdisciplinary nature of geospatial science, the Geospatial Laboratory plans to engage not only GIS specialists, but also urban planners, environmental scientists, architects, engineers, data analysts, ecologists, public health experts, social scientists, economists, and other researchers working in the broad spectrum of spatial and territorial studies.
Urban Planning, Environmental Monitoring, Climate Adaptation, Natural Resource Management, Smart Cities, Remote Sensing, Health Geography, and Spatial Justice are among the core focus areas of the lab.
A particular emphasis is placed on Remote Sensing technologies, which enable the observation and analysis of environmental and urban dynamics from satellite and aerial imagery. The lab provides access to tools and platforms such as Google Earth Engine for big-data remote sensing analysis, supporting projects in land cover classification, deforestation monitoring, and climate vulnerability assessments.
The lab also specializes in Drone Mapping, utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors to produce detailed orthophotos, 3D terrain models, and multispectral imagery. These datasets are used in precision agriculture, urban monitoring, heritage documentation, and disaster risk assessment.
Complementing these airborne technologies, the lab incorporates Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) for ground-based 3D data acquisition, essential in architectural preservation, infrastructure documentation, and high-precision urban modeling. This method allows for the accurate reconstruction of physical spaces, supporting both academic and applied research.
Directions and Strategic Goals of the Geospatial LAB:
- Development and implementation of interdisciplinary research projects focused on geospatial analysis and solutions;
- Organization of workshops, training programs, and conferences dedicated to the promotion of geospatial technologies and their applications;
- Collection, creation, and curation of spatial data and maps, forming an open-access geospatial data archive;
- Supporting academic research in geospatial studies through technical mentoring, software access, and opportunities for collaboration (Bachelor theses, MSc/PhD dissertations, etc.);
- Public engagement through interactive platforms, map-based storytelling, citizen science initiatives, and open-data projects, aimed at increasing awareness of geospatial technologies in everyday life.
The LAB communicates geospatial knowledge and innovation to a broader audience through its digital platform The Geospatial Atlas, which provides access to interactive maps, spatial databases, and visualizations created in cooperation with students, researchers, and external stakeholders. This initiative brings together spatial insights from multiple disciplines to support sustainable development, informed decision-making, and the visualization of territorial transformation in Kosovo and beyond.