The latest news about the ISPRS 2008
By Chen Jun, Congress Director ISPRS Council 2004 - 2008
After four's careful preparation, we are ready for the 21st ISPRS Congress. This Congress will give you an excellent scientific and technical program with plenty business as well as social activities. Among many interesting publications and events of the congress, you will find the first ISPRS congress book, an introductory book on photogarmetry and remote sensing in China, and special postal stamps with ISPRS logo.
1. The first ISPRS Congress Book
Since the last Istanbul congress in 2004, significant scientific and technical progress are made in the filed of photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences. Although many of them have been presented at working group's workshops, technical commission's mid-term symposia and other conferences, there are very few overview or review papers which describe the major achievements and predict the future development of this field. With the strong support of ISPRS council and TCPs, an ISPRS congress book has been edited with 34 chapters reviewing the state-of-the-art research during the period between 2004 Istanbul Congress and 2008 Beijing Congress. These chapters are divided i1nto six parts, Introduction (2 Chapters), Sensors, platforms and data acquisition (6 chapters), Data processing and analysis (12 chapters), Data Modeling, Management and Visualization(6 chapters), Applications (10 chapters), and Education and cooperation. This is the first time that ISPRS publicizes such a congress book and it will be available for purchase at the Beijing congress.
2. An introductory book about the PE&RS in China
As the host country of the 21st ISPRS congress, China has achieved remarkable progress in the field of photogarmetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, such as having launched more than 50 earth-orbit satellites, developed broad applications to the society and established the largest education system in the profession with hundreds thousands of professionals and students. There will be a national exhibition and some planned technical visits to about ten local institutes and companies during the congress. For facilitating the participant's understanding of the latest development in China, we have edited a special book entitled ‘Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing in China' in both Chinese and English. This book has 9 chapters, i.e., introduction, spatial data acquisition, spatial data processing, spatial information management and analysis, applications, geo-spatial industry, education, international cooperation, and outlook. It will be available during the congress.
3. Preparation of special postal stamps with ISPRS logo
To celebrate the 21st ISPRS Congress, the Chinese hosting organizations are trying their best to organize a number of activities, such as preparing postal stamps with ISPRS logo in cooperation with China Post, launching a special TV program to introduce photogrammetry and remote sensing to the public, inviting famous personnel sto write overview or memory articles about IPRS for local news papers and websites. The LOC for ISPRS 2008 Beijing is making preparations for the issuance of stamps with ISPRS logo, and the special stamps will be issued during the congress.
In the summer of 2004, when ISPRS assembly made its decision to elect Beijing as the host city for the 21st ISPRS congress, I had made our promise: "we will offer a real ISPRS Congress- Informative, Special, Progressive, Relaxed, Successful Congress". Now we are ready! Now you are welcome to witness this real ISPRS congress and visit the beautiful Olympic city - Beijing.