Testing GEMINI for 3D environments. From SketchUp to an unlikely future!

The exercise shows how a simple SketchUp 3D volume, defined solely by its basic geometry, can be transformed into a complex architectural proposal. Starting from the initial schematic model, the system interprets proportions, levels, and shapes, and converts them into a fully developed building, complete with textures, vegetation, lighting, and an urban context

Mapping Something Unthinkable: Flood Risk in Madrid using Open Data

Dont get wrong if you see the IA background showing our handsome major almost showing his beautiful smile in Cibeles/Correos it’s only to get your attentions (only if you need it thou!). Flooding in urban environments is not a speculative hazard but something we can quantify. In the case of Madrid, the intersection of pretty mountainous terrain (it might surprise you there are 2000m difference between the highest spot in Madrid province, Pico Peñalara -2428m- and the Alberche river environment in some areas -430m-) and urban expansion presents a scenario of significant risk, particularly when analyzed through the lens of shared high-resolution geospatial data. This study integrates the buildings from BTN (Base Topográfica Nacional) provided by the Spanish “IGN”, the CNIG with the official flood hazard maps for a 100-year return period (T=100), published by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). The T=100 scenario is the most representative for evaluating long-term flood exposure, as it reflects events with a 1% annual probability—rare but not improbable, and certainly not negligible.

Urban delineation methods beyond administrative boundaries

As a geographer working with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), I am particularly interested in exploring urban delineation methods that move beyond the constraints of administrative boundaries. Instead of relying on official municipal limits—which can often be outdated or misaligned with functional realities on the ground—I focus on delineating urban areas based on physical indicators such as built-up surface, population density, and spatial continuity. This approach allows for a more accurate and dynamic understanding of urban space.

Palestine 2023-2024

The 7th of October will forever be remembered in our collective memory as a day of tragedy and senseless violence, an operation that would shatter the dream of Israel’s inviolability. The attacks by Hamas were unequivocally condemnable. The targeting of civilians (+1200 dead and +250 kidnappings) is never acceptable, and those responsible for such acts must be held accountable. However, the response that followed has escalated into something far worse, a state-driven campaign of violence by Israel that has, in just one year, claimed over 42,000 lives, a staggering number of whom are women and children. This is not defense; this is mass murder. GENOCIDE.

Digital Twin. Real-Time Public Transportation Visualization on LiveMaps360.com

The primary feature of LiveMaps360.com is its ability to display public transportation data in real-time. By integrating data from Tokyo’s extensive public transportation network, including buses, trains, and subways, the website enables users to track the movement of vehicles and access critical information such as arrival times, routes, and service disruptions.

I FORO NACIONAL: CIENCIAS DE DATOS ESPACIALES COMO HERRAMIENTA EFICAZ EN LA GESTION PUBLICA. Lima (Perú)

Esta pasada semana he tenido el honor de viajar a Lima (Perú) para participar en el el Primer Foro Nacional de Ciencias de Datos Espaciales como herramienta eficaz para la gestión pública estos pasados 18-19 Julio 2023 en el Centro de Convenciones de Lima, Perú. Mi ponencia era sobre el DIGITAL TWIN en la ciudad de CUZCO así como el BRIGHT EARTH CITY TEXTURING, una solución de texturización procedural con semántica 3D de bajo mantenimento de mi empresa Luxcarta, un gran adelanto tecnológico de nuestro departamento de I+D.

The beauty (and precision) of LIDAR:

Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a technology that uses laser beams to measure distances and create detailed maps of the surrounding environment. It works by emitting laser pulses and then measuring the time it takes for the pulses to bounce back after hitting objects in their path. By analyzing the returning signals, lidar can accurately calculate the distance to various points and generate a three-dimensional map.

Measuring snow coverage using EOB – Earth Observation – Sentinel HUB

Playing with Sentinel 2 images I realized that the amount of snow this year has been very low compared to last winter. Here are a couple of images from January 2022 and 2023 of the Canfranc – Paticosa – Jaca area. One of the most interesting things about this EO browser is that in addition to a standard 2D visualisation, we can visualise in 3D. Here is an video example. Another interesting thing is to be able to quantify the snowfall. There is a snow classifier based on NSDI (Normalized Difference Snow Index, The Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) snow cover is an index that is related to the presence of snow in a pixel and is a more accurate description of snow detection as compared to Fractional Snow Cover (FSC).

Consultoría e ideología: Manual de estupidez

Yo soy un humilde Geógrafo, además soy alguien curioso al que no le importa meterme en mil fregados por las razones más variadas, que ha trabajado y trabaja como tal pero también como diseñador, como fotógrafo o como comercial. He trabajado con obreros, con arquitectos, porteros de fincas, con dibujantes, con consultores de todos losContinue reading “Consultoría e ideología: Manual de estupidez”

NO AL PELOTAZO DE LA ERMITA DEL SANTO

Esta semana pasada he estado colaborando puntualmente con la Plataforma “planermitadelsanto”, vecinos como yo que se han (nos hemos) organizado para echar abajo un plan de recalificación urbanística que no es ni mucho menos del interés general. He preparado para ellos algunos mapas en 3D (georeferenciando planos, extruyendo manualmente usando datos del Plan propuesto, realizandoContinue reading NO AL PELOTAZO DE LA ERMITA DEL SANTO