Workshop Description

A concise overview (150–300 words) summarizing the aims, relevance, and content of the workshop. This section will be published in the program and website

The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters pose significant challenges to communities and governments worldwide. To strengthen disaster resilience and reduce vulnerability, particularly in regions experiencing rapid urbanization and the impacts of climate change, advanced geospatial technologies are playing an increasingly vital role. This workshop addresses how Remote Sensing, GIS, and Artificial Intelligence can be integrated to support data-driven decision-making and build resilience in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This workshop focuses on the use of multi-modal data (e.g., satellite imagery, UAVs, street-view data, social media) and domain-informed AI techniques to support the entire disaster management cycle, from risk assessment and early warning to rapid response, post-disaster recovery, and the analysis of forced displacement triggered by disasters

Topics of Interest

  • Risk mapping and vulnerability assessment for SDG support
  • Prediction and early warning using geospatial AI
  • Post-disaster damage detection and rapid response
  • Urban exposure and critical infrastructure analysis with multimodal data (e.g., SAR-optical, street-view, social media data, OpenStreetMap)
  • Forced displacement mapping and forecasting from remote sensing and ancillary data (e.g., socioeconomic and environmental data)
  • Causal inference and generative AI for disaster modeling
  • Explainable AI (XAI) in disaster modeling
  • Platforms and tools for operational disaster monitoring

Workshop Theme Image

Next-Gen Disaster Management: Multi-Modal Geospatial Data and AI for Resilient Communities

Workshop Chair(s) / Instructor(s)

Dr. Yao Sun

Role: Chair

Affiliation: German Aerospace Center (DLR), Earth Observation Center

Dr. Yu Li

Role: Co-chair

Affiliation: Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)

Workshop Committee Members

  1. Monique M. Kuglitsch, Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications
  2. Nina Merkle, German Aerospace Center
  3. Jie Shen, Nanjing Normal University
  4. Danijel Schorlemmer, GFZ Helmholtz Center for Geosciences
  5. Hassan Abou Seada, Egyptian Space Agency
  6. Kasra Rafiezadeh Shahi, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
  7. Rıdvan Salih Kuzu, German Aerospace Center
  8. Marc Wieland, German Aerospace Center
  9. Antara Dasgupta, RWTH Aachen
  10. Geraldine Henningsen, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  11. Yanbing Bai, Remin University of China

Duration:  Half-day

Format

(Briefly describe format components such as: keynote, panel, demos, paper/abstract submission, etc.)

  • Invited keynote
  • Technical presentations (via abstracts)

Relevance to Conference Themes

Explain how this workshop contributes to the conference theme “Geo-Digitalization for Sustainable Development Goals.” Feel free to mention specific SDGs if applicable.

This workshop supports the conference theme “Geo-Digitalization for Sustainable Development Goals” by highlighting how geospatial technologies and AI can address disaster-related challenges central to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), among others. It will promote cross-sector dialogue and inclusive innovation, especially relevant to communities in the Global South

Attachments Checklist

  • Finalized workshop description (above)
  • Organizer/chair bios (if applicable)
  • Organizer/chair profile pictures (high resolution)
  • Optional: call for papers/abstracts (if separate)
  • Optional: flyer or promotional materials (if any)