Google’s Open Buildings 2.5D Temporal Dataset Supports Urbanization, Aids Governments and NGOs in Disaster Response

Google’s Open Buildings 2.5D Temporal Dataset is today enabling African Governments and NGOs to track how buildings have changed over time and see their heights, allowing for better flood preparedness, urban growth development and recovery after disasters. 

It is projected that by 2050, the world’s urban population is expected to grow by 2.5 billion, with nearly 90% of that growth happening in cities across Africa and Asia. 

To keep up with this rapid urbanisation, governments, humanitarian organisations, and researchers need accurate information on buildings and infrastructure. 

This data helps plan for future growth, respond to crises, and ensure resources are distributed fairly. 

But in many parts of Africa and the Global South, Google noted in a statement, this vital information is outdated or simply unavailable.

Launched in 2021, the Open Buildings Project started at Google’s AI research lab in Accra, Ghana to solve a major issue. 

This meant that many towns and villages across Africa were not on any map, making it difficult for them to receive services like healthcare, electricity or even flood protection.

Since then, Google noted that this initiative has helped map 1.8 billion buildings across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean—about 40% of the globe. 

“The data obtained overtime has been used by governments, NGOs, and researchers to improve services and respond to disasters,” the tech giant said. 

Real-world examples include :

• Uganda-based nonprofit, Sunbird AI, that used Google’s data to prioritise areas for rural electrification, ensuring that towns and homes most in need received power first.

• WorldPop, a team from the University of Southampton, has integrated the Open Buildings data into

their population estimates. These estimates are being used by UN agencies and governments such as Nigeria, where the data has helped identify areas where children haven’t received  routine immunizations.

Google is now expanding this effort with the Open Buildings 2.5D Temporal Dataset, which doesn’t just map buildings but also shows how they change over time and estimates their heights. 

The tech giant said this new data covers the years 2016 to 2023, offering a detailed picture of how cities and settlements across Africa and the Global South have grown. 

“This is crucial for urban planning, disaster response, and understanding population density,” Google said. 

Worth noting is that governments and organisations can use this data in various ways:

• Flood preparedness: In flood-prone areas, accurate data can help authorities predict which buildings and neighbourhoods are most at risk.
• Urban growth: In cities like Kumasi, Ghana, which has seen rapid expansion, this data allows city planners to better manage resources and infrastructure.
• Disaster recovery: In places like Palu, Indonesia, where a tsunami struck in 2018, this data shows how the built environment changed before and after the crisis, helping rebuild communities more effectively.

To develop the dataset, Google used AI to improve the quality of low-resolution satellite images and estimate the size and height of buildings. 

This is important, Google said, because higher-resolution satellite images are not always available for the Global South. 

“With this technology, we’ve created a detailed map of over 58 million square kilometres, covering parts of Africa, Latin America, South, and Southeast Asia,” the tech giant said. 

“Maps are a lifeline. They help governments, humanitarian agencies, and researchers ensure that everyone is counted and represented. With this new dataset, we’re giving these organisations better tools to plan for the future, respond to crises, and support communities in need.”

Google has further invited researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in urban development to explore the Open Buildings 2.5D Temporal Dataset on Google Earth Engine and share their feedback.

Follow us on Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to editorial@techtrendsmedia.co.ke