Combining ERS-1 SAR with optical satellite data over urban areas

The aim of this study is to combine the information in SPOT and Landsat TM with the backscatter from ERS-1 SAR images. This is done in order to find out what kind of features for which SAR would be the major information source. In particular the authors are studying built-up areas. It is shown that buildings and other hard targets can give specular reflection and resonance effects. The backscatter from hard targets is dependent on radar aspect-and incidence angle. Information extracted from multitemporal SAR images will hence increase our knowledge of hard targets within a built-up area, when used together with optical images