Urban area detection in satellite images using map knowledge by a feedback control technique

A new technique for urban area detection in satellite images by integrating geographic map knowledge is presented. Satellite images are modeled by Markov random fields and digitized maps are used as a priori knowledge of the scene under analysis. An iterative scheme is proposed to increase the robustness of scene labeling algorithms by means of a feedback control. Experimental results on urban area detection in SPOT images show the effectiveness of the technique.