Using Drones in Environmental Sciences

The course explores the use of drones for data collection, analysis, and monitoring in environmental sciences and urban planning, emphasizing their role in mapping, resource management, and sustainable development.

The program provides to the students knowledge related to the following fields:

• Drone Technology and Operations: Understanding the types of drones, their components, and flight operations.
• Data Acquisition and Processing: Techniques for collecting, processing, and analyzing drone-captured data, including photogrammetry and remote sensing.
• Environmental Monitoring: Applications of drones in tracking environmental changes, biodiversity, and natural resource management.
• Urban Planning: Using drones for mapping, infrastructure inspection, and urban development analysis.
• Regulations and Ethics: Legal frameworks, safety considerations, and ethical implications of drone usage.
• Case Studies and Practical Applications: Real-world examples and hands-on projects demonstrating drone applications in environmental and urban contexts.

After completing the course, the students will acquire knowledge in:

• Operate Drones Safely and Effectively: Demonstrate proficiency in flying drones and managing their technical components for environmental and urban planning purposes.
• Acquire and Process Spatial Data: Collect, analyze, and interpret geospatial data captured by drones using appropriate software and methodologies.
• Apply Drones in Environmental Monitoring: Utilize drones to monitor environmental changes, assess biodiversity, and support natural resource management.
• Integrate Drone Data in Urban Planning: Employ drone data for urban mapping, infrastructure analysis, and sustainable urban development planning.
• Understand Legal and Ethical Implications: Navigate the legal regulations, safety protocols, and ethical considerations associated with the use of drones.
• Implement Real-World Projects: Apply learned concepts to design and execute projects that solve real-world environmental or urban planning challenges using drone technology.

The 5 days of intensive learning experiences (2-6 June 2025) focus on practical exercises, applications, and discussions. Teaching staff will give teaching input and lead smaller working groups dedicated to deepening the learning experiences.

These include:

• Drawing lessons from interdisciplinary theoretical approaches and problematizing them in terms of practicability (case studies about using drones)
• Building micro-projects related to using drones for different case studies
• Experimenting with drones in urban planning and management (air pollution, urban biodiversity, land use and land cover, urban climate)
• Meet stakeholders from local governments, NGOs, private companies, administrations, and citizens, and learn about their interests, needs, and recommendations for urban planning and management.
• Participating in excursions to analyze the challenges related to using the drones

• February 2025 - Virtual Course 1 – Introduction about drones as Robotics and Automatic System
• March 2025 - Course 2 – Legislation and rules related to drones
• April 2025 - Course 3 – Drones’ data collection and processing
• June 2025 -  Course 4 – Challenges of using drones for environmental science.

Learning will take place around blended formats of online teaching and the 5-day meeting.

The assessment will be based on the following criteria:

• Students will have to prepare to engage with the core readings for the roundtables and the on-site course. They will be required to formulate questions for facilitating the discussions and hand them in via the learning hub. They will also do a group presentation on a real-world problem at the on-site meeting.
• Students will participate in the experimental use of tools and techniques and reflect on their experiences in a short position paper.
• Students will be asked to develop final documentation of their learning experience by contributing to the open repository (this could either be presentations, posters, podcasts, videos, or written reports). The teaching staff will advise students and examine the assignments. They will be evaluated according to each participating institution’s system.

Motivation Letter

CV

Research project outlines

Students' applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Academic Background and Relevant Experience: Assessment of prior education, coursework, or professional experience related to environmental sciences, urban planning, or drone technology.
• Technical Skills: Evaluation of proficiency in geospatial technologies, data analysis, or related technical skills that would support success in the course.
• Motivation and Objectives: Clarity and relevance of the student's motivation for taking the course, including how it aligns with their academic or career goals.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Demonstrated ability to think critically and apply problem-solving skills in environmental or urban contexts.
• Innovation and Creativity: Potential for innovative thinking and creativity in applying drone technology to environmental or urban planning challenges.
• Communication Skills: Strength of written and verbal communication skills as evidenced in the application materials, reflecting the ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively.

• Associate Professor Ionut Sandric, Geoinformatics and Earth Observation, University of Bucharest - experienced Geographer with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software industry. Strong information technology professional skilled in Remote Sensing, GIS Applications, and Spatial Modeling.
• Professor Cristian Iojă, Environmental Sciences, University of Bucharest - specializing in environmental science and urban planning. His research focuses on sustainable development, environmental impact assessment, and the integration of ecological principles into urban planning practices.
• Dr. Manfred Mittlboeck, Senior Scientist, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg - specializing in geoinformatics and remote sensing. With extensive experience in spatial analysis and environmental monitoring, his work focuses on the application of geospatial technologies to address environmental challenges and support sustainable development.
• Professor Volker Hochschild, University of Tübingen - specializing in geoinformatics and remote sensing. His research focuses on the development and application of spatial analysis techniques for environmental monitoring, urban planning, and land-use management.
• Carmen Hidalgo Giralt, Profesora Titular de Geografía Humana, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
• Barrado Timon Diego Antonio, Profesora Titular de Geografía Humana, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
• Assistant Professor Gabriel Vanau, University of Bucharest