Over the last years, advances in computer technology, earth observation sensors and GIScience have led to the emerging field of “Object-based Image Analysis” (OBIA). The need for timely and accurate geo-spatial information is steadily increasing due to changing requirements of the society at a global dimension. It is necessary to synchronize technologies and harmonize approaches related to the acquisition, processing, and retrieval of multi-sensor, multi-spectral, multi-resolution data from various sensors. Moreover, the advancement of feature recognition and advanced image analysis techniques facilitates the extraction of thematic information, for policy making support and informed decisions.The availability of such data and the increasing use of geo-information for sustainable economic development and protection of the environment have catalyzed the development of new methods to exploit image information more ´intelligently´.

See: http://www.agit.at/obia!