Using drones for environmental sciences

The course explores the use of drones for data collection, analysis, and monitoring in environmental sciences and urban planning, emphasising 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.

• a critical understanding of using drones for promoting urban sustainability;
  
• practices related to drones in different urban settings (legislation, rules, ethics);
• skills in using drones in urban planning and management;
• understanding the advantages and disadvantages of using drones in urban planning and management.

The physical mobility section of the BIP will take place between 1-5 June 2026, in Sinaia, Romania. The five-day intensive learning experience focuses on practical exercises, applications, and discussions.

The teaching staff will provide input and lead smaller working groups dedicated to deepening 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 analyse the challenges related to using drones.

The online part of the course will start in February 2026:

• February 2025: Course 1 – Introduction to 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.

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 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

The applications will be evaluated based on:

• 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 Modelling.

Professor Cristian Iojă, Environmental Sciences, University of Bucharest - specialising 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 - specialising 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 - specialising 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.

Dr. Gebhard Warth has extensive experience in optical and radar remote sensing, specialising in high-resolution and very high-resolution remote sensing, as well as machine learning and artificial intelligence applications.

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.