Spatial Data for the Sustainable World: Remote Sensing in Geographical Research
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability in Geographic Science".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 76
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue, titled “Spatial Data for the Sustainable World: Remote Sensing in Geographical Research”, will focus on the integration of spatial data infrastructures, geoinformatics, and remote sensing methods for understanding and advancing sustainable development. In an era of rapid environmental change and expanding urbanization, spatially explicit data are essential for monitoring progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and for supporting evidence-based decision-making at multiple spatial and temporal scales. This issue seeks to bring together contributions that highlight both methodological innovations and practical applications of Earth Observation (EO) technologies in sustainable spatial planning, resource management, and environmental resilience. The scope of this Special Issue covers a broad range of topics, including remote sensing data analysis, spatial modeling, cartographic visualization, and geostatistical techniques that enhance our ability to measure, monitor, and communicate sustainability indicators. It welcomes studies that demonstrate how spatial data—derived from satellites, UAVs, LiDAR, or in situ networks—can be integrated into geospatial frameworks and digital platforms to support adaptive management and policy development. In particular, this issue encourages interdisciplinary approaches linking geography, geoinformatics, environmental science, and social sustainability, emphasizing open data, reproducibility, and transparent analytical workflows. The purpose of this issue is to stimulate discussion on how remote sensing and geospatial analytics can contribute to sustainable spatial governance, risk assessment, climate adaptation, and landscape transformation. By bridging technological advances and conceptual frameworks, the Special Issue will demonstrate the pivotal role of spatial data in achieving SDG-related targets and transforming geographical research into actionable insights for a sustainable future. This issue will complement the existing literature by connecting remote sensing-based spatial analysis with applied sustainability research, moving beyond traditional land-cover studies toward integrated, multiscale models of socio-environmental systems. It will provide a platform for the dissemination of innovative data integration methods, visualization techniques, and case studies that showcase the evolving contribution of spatial data science to sustainable development.
Prof. Dr. Robert Župan
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- spatial data
- remote sensing
- geoinformatics
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- earth observation
- spatial analysis
- environmental monitoring
- geovisualization
- spatial planning
- sustainability
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