Monitoring economic development from outer space

Abstract

This presentation examines the use of satellite images to understand and predict economic activities. Beyond nighttime lights, significant development gaps within countries are observable through satellite data. The integration of large-scale geospatial data, including daytime images and GIS layers, enhances our understanding of poverty across multiple dimensions and scales. The combination of survey data with satellite imagery provides a more comprehensive tool for predicting and understanding economic development.

Carlos Mendez

Associate Professor of Development Economics

My research interests focus on the integration of development economics, spatial data science, and econometrics to understand and inform the process of sustainable development across regions.