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Croydon Steps Back in Time Using Bluesky Historic Photomap |
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Written by Vector1Media
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Wednesday, 08 October 2008 |
PR - Croydon Council has taken
delivery of an historic photomap providing a snapshot of the South London
borough shortly after the end of WWII. Created by aerial survey company Bluesky,
the image database is produced from original aerial photographs captured by the
RAF during the late 1940’s. Consisting of more than 300 unique images that were
scanned and georeferenced to create a seamless, digital, map accurate database,
the Bluesky photomap will be used in various Council teams to support decision
making with Building Control, Planning and the Pollution service, being initial
users.
The historic Bluesky photomap was created from
more than 300 original aerial photographs, captured by the RAF during the period
1946 to 1948 as part of an effort to update the then out of date 1930’s Ordnance
Survey maps and chart the reconstruction of post war Britain. Each image was
scanned using high-end scanning machines, (Vexcel Ultrascan 5000 Photogrammetric
Flatbed Scanners), to create digital image files with high geometric accuracy
and image quality. The images were georeferenced and mosaiced together to form a
seamless, map accurate image database.
“The post war period is
significant for many reasons,” commented Les Haines, Survey and Mapping Officer
at Croydon Council. “Like other parts of London, Croydon experienced
considerable bomb damage during the war and this is evident in the Bluesky
photomap. In addition July 1948 is an important date, as the 1947 Town and
Country Planning Act came into effect, introducing the concept of Planning
Permission and forming the foundation of modern planning policy. Consequently
Planners still need, on occasion to establish what was on site at this
time.”
Croydon Council has already introduced the Bluesky photomap
within the Building Control division, in fact within days of taking delivery the
image database was used to explain problems being experienced on a site in
Norbury. “The site developer and Building Control Officer were having trouble
excavating the footings and were unable to find solid ground,” continued Les.
“The house appeared to be pre-war, however a quick look at the Bluesky imagery
showed in fact a derelict site, following bomb damage, proving the dwelling had
been faithfully reconstructed on a foundation of rubble. Our World War Two bomb
map had either not marked this incident or recorded the location
incorrectly.”
Bluesky is a UK-based
specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and
processing. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending
around the globe, Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless,
digital aerial photography, 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations, and 3D
prints. Bluesky also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital
maps, site plans, satellite imagery, aerial photography and ultra-high
resolution imagery of cities and towns.
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