Satellite-based fine-grained spatio-temporal monitoring of urban building activities as an indicator of economic development

Urbanization, characterized by physical growth and infrastructure expansion, remains a global phenomenon with profound economic, environmental, and social implications. Traditional methods of monitoring construction activity—key indicators of urban and economic development— often suffer from delays and inconsistencies in reporting. This study introduces a Satellite-based Building Activity Indicator (SBAI) leveraging Sentinel-2 imagery and machine learning to provide highly resolved, spatiotemporal data on urban construction activities. The SBAI identifies new urban developments with high accuracy and highlights the ability to track seasonal and project-specific construction trends. Comparison with official statistics on construction activity validates its reliability, while its granularity offers enhanced insights into intra-year variations and localized urban growth dynamics. The SBAI demonstrates significant potential as a tool for national statistical frameworks, offering timely and detailed data to support responsive and informed decision-making at local and national levels.