SAR and Optical Data Fusion for Change Detection

In this work, we devise a change detection technique for urban areas based on the fusion of temporal series of SAR images with a single multi-band optical image. The proposed technique aims at exploiting both the high repetition observation rate available with the new generation of SAR systems and the high level of details available even in a single multiband optical image. The approach has been validated by using a multitemporal set of ENVISAT SAR images and a couple of Quick Bird optical images, that are also used to provide evidence on the changes by visual inspection at high resolution. The preliminary results shown in the paper show the potentiality of the joint processing of SAR and optical images.