Projects
Role of Urban Canopy Composition and Structure in Determining Heat Islands: A Synthesis of Remote Sensing and Landscape Ecology Approach
Principal Investigator: Qihao Weng
Other Team Members: Dengsheng Lu (Indiana University), Susan Berta, Paul Mausel (ISU),
Andrew Swenson (Department of Metropolitan Development, City of Indianapolis), and Jason A. Kissel
(Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Indianapolis)
Agency: National Science Foundation
Period: August 15, 2005 - July 31, 2008
This project will synthesize optical remote sensing of urban construction materials and structure,
thermal remote sensing of land surface temperatures, and landscape ecology to establish a protocol for
studying the interactions among urban surface biophysical characteristics, the thermal behavior of urban
landscapes and urban heat islands through use of physical modeling, statistical, and fractal analysis.
A Seasonal Analysis of Satellite Detected Urban Heat Island Phenomenon in Indianapolis
Principal Investigator: Qihao Weng
Agency: NASA Indiana Space Grant Consortium
Period: March 1, 2004 - February 28, 2005
This project examines the role of the composition and structure of urban canopy in determining urban surface
energy budgets and in explaining the thermal behavior of urban landscapes and the urban heat island phenomena
in Indianapolis by using multi-seasonal Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer imagery.
Indiana Impervious Surface Mapping Initiative (INISMI)
Principal Investigator: Qihao Weng
Other Team Members: Jeffrey Shan (Purdue), Dengsheng Lu (Indiana University), Susan Berta,
Robert Larson, and John Whitaker (ISU)
Agency: NASA Indiana Space Grant Consortium, and U.S. Geological Survey IndianaView Consortium
Period: March 1, 2005 - February 28, 2006
This project intends to map impervious surface in Indiana by employing satellite imagery and monitor the changes
over time and to provide state and local officials with the impervious surface data and with technical support
and theoretical background to integrate imperviousness into water quality management and urban planning
measures.