The Laboratory of Geomatics
The Laboratory of Geomatics (LABGEO) at the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture of the University of Pavia carries out research, teaching, and knowledge-transfer activities in the acquisition, processing, and analysis of geospatial data.
The laboratory combines scientific expertise, surveying equipment, and specialized software to study the territory, environment, infrastructure, and built heritage. Its activities cover the entire workflow, from field data acquisition to the production of maps, spatial analyses, point clouds, three-dimensional models and digital twins.
Expertise and activities
The laboratory’s main areas of expertise include:
- surveying and GNSS positioning;
- terrestrial, aerial and UAV photogrammetry;
- terrestrial and airborne LiDAR surveying;
- mobile mapping and SLAM-based acquisition systems;
- remote sensing and satellite image analysis;
- geographic information systems and spatial analysis;
- point-cloud processing and classification;
- the creation of three-dimensional models and digital twins;
- geospatial data quality assessment and control.
These skills are applied to environmental monitoring, documenting buildings and cultural heritage, infrastructure studies, urban modeling, precision agriculture, and sustainable land management.
From surveying to geospatial information
LABGEO’s activities cover the entire geospatial information production cycle: from survey planning and data acquisition to quality assessment, processing, analysis and the presentation of results.
Integrating surveying measurements, photographic and satellite imagery, laser scans, and spatial information makes it possible to create accurate, updatable representations of the physical world. Particular attention is paid to the metric validation of results, process automation and the development of innovative methodologies for analyzing large datasets.
Equipment and facilities
The laboratory provides equipment and resources for topographic surveying, GNSS positioning, photogrammetry, UAV data acquisition, terrestrial laser scanning and mobile mapping. Processing activities are supported by workstations and specialized software for photogrammetry, point-cloud processing, three-dimensional modeling, remote sensing and GIS.
The equipment is used in research activities, practical classes, theses, internships and surveying campaigns conducted in collaboration with other research groups and external organizations.
Teaching and training
LABGEO supports university teaching in surveying, photogrammetry, LiDAR, GIS and applied geomatics. The laboratory welcomes students undertaking theses, internships, practical classes and experimental activities, promoting learning through field experience and the direct use of instruments and data.
It also participates in orientation initiatives, school–university programs, seminars and training activities dedicated to geomatics technologies and their applications.
Collaborations
The laboratory collaborates with universities, public bodies, research institutions, professionals and companies on scientific and applied projects. These collaborations include data-acquisition campaigns, testing emerging technologies, spatial data analysis, and developing tools that support understanding, monitoring, and management of the territory.