Concepts and methodologies of the data produced by the GHSL

The GHSL image analytics framework has been tested with a large set of sensors including radar and optical public and commercial missions. Bi-lateral agreements of JRC with European institutions and institutions in China, Brazil and South Africa are currently producing continental and country-wide human settlement information layers by application of the GHSL technology to their proprietary image data.

The general methodology behind GHSL data introduces concepts of GHS BUILT-UP, GHS POP, and the GHS Settlement Model. The slideshow below shows the basic concepts.

The main datasets are offered for download as open and free data.
The GHSL Data Package P2023 consists of multitemporal products, that offers an insight into the human presence in the past: 1975, 1990, 2000, and 2014.
The European Settlement Map consists of pan-European built-up layers derived from higher resolution imagery.

The GHSL products can be explored and visually compared in our visualisation page.

Feel free to contact the GHSL data support team for any necessity.