Announcement

www.geobia2014.web.auth.gr

21 - 24 MAY 2014 • MAKEDONIA PALACE HOTELTHESSALONIKI • GREECE

Under the Auspices

Hosted by

Ministry of Education & Religious AffairsHELLENIC REPUBLIC

Ministry of Rural Development and FoodHELLENIC REPUBLIC

www.geobia2014.web.auth.gr

21 - 24 MAY 2014 • MAKEDONIA PALACE HOTELTHESSALONIKI • GREECE

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Welcome address

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Following the international GEOBIA Conferences held in Salzburg, Austria in 2006, Calgary, Canada in 2008, Ghent, Belgium in 2010, and Rio De Janeiro, Brasil in 2012, the 5th GEOBIA Conference of 2014 will be held in Thessaloniki, Greece between 21 and 24 May.

The 5th GEOBIA Conference is organized by the Laboratory of Forest Management and Remote Sensing, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in collaboration with the Interbalkan Environment Centre, the Laboratory of Remote Sensing and GIS, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Laboratory of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Laboratory of Forest Aerial Photography Remote Sensing, Democritus University of Thrace.

Previous GEOBIA conferences have demonstrated the world-wide interest in the emerging field of Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis. GEOBIA events bring together the technical and scientific community of remote sensing and environmental sciences, promoting the development of GEOBIA concepts, methods and applications. The international audience is expected to include scientists, professionals and users, of academic, industry, public sector and governmental background, coming from the fields of environment and mineral resource management, agriculture, forestry and urban development. Attendees will enjoy the opportunity to communicate new research results, share technical information, network with fellow experts, and build communities of common interests.

The conference programme will include keynote speeches by invited renowned experts in GEOBIA, stakeholder round table discussions, oral presentations of selected studies, and poster exhibition.

These sessions intend to address advancements, trends and challenges, related to the theory and concepts, methods and algorithms as well as applications, to promote the growth of emerging GEOBIA.

Extended illustrated abstracts of the presented studies will be included in conference proceedings and published on the 5th GEOBIA website geobia2014.web.auth.gr. Selected articles will be published in a special issue of Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing journal, published by the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

Conference live streaming will be available through the GEOBIA 2014 website, and archived videos of the keynotes speeches, opening and closure sessions, will also be available after the end of the event.

We look forward to seeing all of you in GEOBIA 2014!

Ioannis Gitas

Chairman of the GEOBIA 2014 Organizing Committee

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Committees

Organizing Committee

ChairmanIoannis Gitas - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Co-ChairsGiorgos Mallinis - Democritus University of ThracePetros Patias - Aristotle University of ThessalonikiDimitris Stathakis - University of ThessalyGeorgios Zalidis - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

International Organizing CommitteeElisabeth Addink - Utrecht University (The Netherlands)Thomas Blaschke - University of Salzburg (Austria)Gilson Alexandre Ostwald Pedro da Costa - Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)Cláudia Maria de Almeida - National Institute for Space Research (Brazil)Raul Queiroz Feitosa - Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)Geoffrey Hay - University of Calgary (Canada)Stefan Lang - University of Salzburg (Austria)Frieke van Coillie - Ghent University (Belgium)

Local Organizing CommitteeEleni Dragozi - Aristotle University of ThessalonikiGeorgia Galidaki - Aristotle University of ThessalonikiThomas Katagis - Aristotle University of ThessalonikiChara Minakou - Aristotle University of ThessalonikiMaria Tompoulidou - Aristotle University of ThessalonikiPericles Toukiloglou - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

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Scientific Committee

Elisabeth Addink - Utrecht University (The Netherlands)Thomas Alexandridis - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)Paul Aplin - University of Nottingham (England)Demetre Argialas - National Technical University of Athens (Greece)Jagannath Aryal - University of Tasmania (Australia)Thomas Blaschke - University of Salzburg (Austria)Alzir Felippe Buffara Antunes - Federal University of Paraná State (Brazil)Gilberto Câmara - National Institute for Space Research (Brazil)Guillermo Castilla - University of Calgary (Canada)Gilson Alexandre Ostwald Pedro da Costa - Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)Cláudia Maria de Almeida - National Institute for Space Research (Brazil)Steven de Jong - Utrecht University (The Netherlands)Raul Queiroz Feitosa - Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)Ioannis Gitas - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)Geoffrey Hay - University of Calgary (Canada)Christian Heipke - Institute of Photogrammetry and GeoInformation (Germany)Peter Hofmann - University of Salzburg (Austria)Kasper Johansen - University of Queensland (Australia)Lia Karathanassi - National Technical University of Athens (Greece)Christos Karydas - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)Maggi Kelly - University of California (USA)Steffen Kuntz - University of Freiburg (Germany)Hermann Johann Heinrich Kux - National Institute for Space Research (Brazil)Stefan Lang - University of Salzburg (Austria)Ivan Lizarazo - Francisco José de Caldas District University (Colombia)Marguerite Madden - University of Georgia, (USA)Giorgos Mallinis - Democritus University of Thrace (Greece)Danielle Marceau - University of Calgary (Canada)George Mitri - University of Balamand (Lebanon)Peter Patias - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)Anastasia Polychronaki - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)Ioannis Theocharis - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)Maria Tsakiri Strati - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)Vasileios Tsioukas - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)Frieke van Coillie - Ghent University (Belgium)

Keynote Speakers

Paul Aplin, Associate Professor in Environmental Remote Sensing, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Geography, University of Nottingham

Geoffrey J. Hay, Associate Professor Geography, Department of Geography, University of Calgary

Maggi Kelly, Professor and Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Environmental Science, Policy and Management Department at UC Berkeley

David Roy, Professor at the Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence, South Dakota State University

Barbara Ryan, Secretariat Director of the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO)

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Thessaloniki

The City

The city was founded in 315 BC by Cassander, in honor of his wife Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the Great. Since then, and due to its strategic position, Thessaloniki has been a commercial and cultural crossroad that brought together people and ideas from all over the world. The signs of this uninterrupted urban activity for more than 2,300 years are evident in each corner of the city. Nowadays, Thessaloniki is a big, modern city, with a population of around one million, and an important administrative and financial center of the Balkans. The warm and vibrant city life is largely influenced by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; the largest university in Greece, with more than 72,000 undergraduate and 8,000 postgraduate students. Thessaloniki is surrounded by places of great natural and historic beauty such as Olympus National Park, Vergina, where the Royal tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great was found, the autonomous Mouth Athos, which is forbidden to women and children, and Chalkidiki with its beautiful sandy beaches.

People & Life

Thessaloniki is a popular destination. You will certainly enjoy a pleasant and interesting stay in the city. People are friendly and happy to help with any questions. The atmosphere is unique during the day in the commercial and shopping centre, but especially during the evening, in the wide variety of bars, restaurants and theatres for entertainment. Thessaloniki is renowned for its unique location, along the Thermaikos Gulf, its sunsets, its long history, its monuments and museums as well as its distinguished cuisine.

Useful links: > Visit Thessaloniki > Thessaloniki 360 > Thessaloniki Municipality Geoportal > Organization of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki > Hellenic National Meteorological Service > Thessaloniki’s Urban Mobility Center

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Conference Venues

The Opening Ceremony of the 5th GEOBIA Conference of 2014 will be held at Thessaloniki Concert Hall. The Conference and Cultural Centre entitled “Thessaloniki Concert Hall” is a venue for various events and has the capacity to host conferences, symposia, product presentations, corporate events, press conferences, seminars, corporate meetings, dinners, lunches, product exhibitions, book presentations etc. The Thessaloniki Concert Hall is fully equipped with an excellent technological infrastructure and up-to-date equipment as well as perfect concert hall acoustics. More info

The Conference will be held at Makedonia Palace Hotel, the ideal host for every type of professional gathering, offering a wide range of alternatives in terms of halls and services. Every single space has an arrangement flexibility that makes it ideal for every kind of meeting. From small scale presentations to the most demanding conventions, it offers a combination of services and facilities that undoubtedly place it among the top meeting hosts.

In addition, the meeting room’s position at the hotel’s ground floor and their large windows offer an advantage in terms of natural lighting, with a dim-out option if needed.

The infrastructure and experience is a guarantee for success in terms of hosting and technically supporting every type of conference. More info.

Makedonia Palace Hotel, 5* | Main Conference Venue2 M. Alexandrou Avenue, T. (+30) 897197, GR-54640, Thessaloniki, www.makedoniapalace.com/en

Thessaloniki Concert Hall | Opening Ceremony Venue25 Martiou Street & Paralia, GR-54646, Thessaloniki, T. 2310 895800, www.tch.gr

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Accommodation

One of the most genuine parts of Thessaloniki and a city landmark. Fresh and warm in its welcoming, it offers a complete series of 5-star accommodation services at its 283 rooms and suites. In a unique location, which gives its visitor the chance to stay right next to the city’s center while one can enjoy the unique view of Thermaikos’ gulf blue, the renewed Makedonia Palace greets its visitors with its most heartfelt “Welcome!” More info

Metropolitan Hotel, 3*| Satellite Hotel65 Vas. Olgas Avenue & Fleming str., T (+30) 0 2310 824 221-8, GR-54642, Thessaloniki, www.metropolitan.gr

Situated in one of the main roads of Thessaloniki, Queen Olga Avenue, a key input shaft to the city from Macedonia Airport, at only 10 minutes walking distance to the Conference Venue - Makedonia Palace (950m). The location area is quiet and friendly, only a short distance from the main attractions, the shopping centre and the nightlife of the city, providing guests with immediate access to public transportation, just outside the hotel. It is about 25 minutes to walk from the Metropolitan Hotel Thessaloniki to Tsimiski Street, which is the main shopping boulevard in the city. The old market, White Tower, and the Byzantine Cathedral are about 20 minutes from the hotel. The Metropolitan Hotel Thessaloniki is a 15 minute drive from the international airport. More info.

Makedonia Palace Hotel, 5* | Main Conference Venue2 M. Alexandrou Avenue, T. (+30) 897197, GR-54640, Thessaloniki, www.makedoniapalace.com/en

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Conference Topics

The conference will cover three key GEOBIA topics:

Theory & concepts

> Methodological issues and challenges > Geographic object-based classification and modeling > Multiscale and multitemporal interpretation strategies and representations > Comparative studies of object-based and pixel-based methods > Accuracy assessment > Integration with GIS

Methods & algorithms

> Classification algorithmsτ > Feature extraction methods > Change detection techniques > Multitemporal analysis > Image segmentation > Evaluation of segmentation methods > Application of machine learning methods > Visualization

Applications: mapping & monitoring

> Forest and natural ecosystems mapping and monitoring > Urban and environmental monitoring > Automated feature detection for specific targets > Disaster management > Semiautomated map updating > Heat island detection and monitoring > Health and social science related applications > Archeological applications > Applications of new data & sensor systems (SAR, InSAR, LiDAR, Hyper-spectral, Thermal, Videography, etc.)

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Short Programme

Wednesday, 21 May 2014- Opening Conference Session- Opening Ceremony- Welcome Reception

Thursday, 22 May 2014- Conference Sessions - Gala dinner- Thessaloniki City tour for accompanying persons

Friday, 23 May 2014- Excursion to Mount Olympus for all participants

Saturday, 24 May 2014- Conference Sessions- Excursion to Vergina – Veria for accompanying persons

Call for Abstracts

The Scientific Committee welcomes the submission of original contributions on Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis. Accepted papers will be presented as oral or poster presentations.

GEOBIA 2014 will be a forum of excellence where a selected group of researchers, students and users will present their findings and latest results. Invited keynote speakers will further highlight GEOBIA’s key theoretical and methodological issues, trends and challenges.

Abstracts must be submitted not later than 20 January 2014 by filling in the on line submission form: geobia2014.web.auth.gr. Should you need any help or advice you may address to the Congress Secretariat email address: geobia2014@artion.com.gr

Abstracts must not exceed 500 words. For specific guidelines regarding your abstract please visit the website. An abstract template is available at the Annex.

Publication of accepted papers

Extended Illustrated Abstracts of all papers presented will be included in the conference proceedings and will be published on the GEOBIA 2014 website.

Guidelines for the preparation of the extended illustrated abstract will be shortly available.

Selected articles will be published in a special issue of Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing journal, published by the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Please visit the Important Dates page for more information on deadlines.

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How to Register

Registration to the 5th GEOBIA Conference is made either by duly completing the on line Registration Form (geobia2014.web.auth.gr). The Registration and Hotel Reservation form is individual and only Accompanying Persons can be included in it. All participants will receive confirmation of their registration.

Registration PackageIncludes Participation & Hotel reservation

Early Registration until 21 March 2014

Late Registration from 22 March to 12

May 2014

Makedonia Palace Hotel, 5★ | Conference Hotel

Delegate in Single BB 800,00 € 850,00 €

Delegate in Double BB (per person) 645,00 € 695,00 €

Accompanying Person in Double BB (per person) 475,00 € 475,00 €

Sea view supplement for 4 nights 60,00 € 60,00 €

Metropolitan Hotel, 3★

Student* in Single BB 450,00 € 500,00 €

Student* in Double BB (per person) 395,00 € 445,00 €

Accompanying Person in Double BB (per person) 375,00 € 375,00 €

If the packages above do not meet your needs, please contact ARTION at geobia2014@artion.com.gr.

Registration Package for Delegates & Students includes > Registration Fee: admission to all congress sessions and exhibitions, congress material, coffee breaks, lunches according to the programme

> Accommodation for 4 nights at the hotel selected with breakfast > Welcome Reception > Gala Dinner > Full day guided excursion at Mt. Olympus with lunch (drinks included)

All taxes & duties Registration Packages for Accompanying Persons include:

> Accommodation in a double room for 4 nights at the hotel selected with breakfast > Welcome Reception > Gala Dinner > Full day guided excursion at Mt. Olympus with lunch (drinks included) > Full day guided excursion at Vergina – Veria with lunch (drinks included) > Half day guided excursion at Thessaloniki: City Tour > All taxes & duties

*Students must provide proof of status (copy of valid student ID card or a letter from their institution or program director).

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Registration only for Delegates & Students includes: > Registration Fee: admission to all congress sessions and exhibitions, congress material, coffee breaks, lunches according to the programme

> Welcome Reception > Gala Dinner

All taxes & duties Registration only for Accompanying Persons includes:

> Welcome Reception > Gala Dinner > Full day guided excursion at Vergina – Veria with lunch (drinks included) > Half day guided excursion at Thessaloniki: City Tour > All taxes & duties

Registration only Early Registrationuntil 21 March 2014

Late Registrationfrom 22 Marchto 12 May 2014

Delegate 450,00 € 500,00 €

Student* 300,00 € 350,00 €

Accompanying Person 250,00 € 250,00 €

Excursion to Olympus 80,00 € 80,00 €

GEO-Scolarships

We are glad to announce that the Group on Earth Observation - GEO offers 10 scholarships to presenting students coming from Least Developed or Developing Countries. These scholarships cover the GEOBIA2014 student package in full. The selection will be performed by the scientific committee, based on the applicability and impact of the study especially with regards to developing countries.

*Students must provide proof of status (copy of valid student ID card or a letter from their institution or program director).

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Thessaloniki City TourDate: Thursday, 22 May 2014Included in Accompanying persons’ registration fee

The best introduction to Thessaloniki, this panorama drive through the city will introduce you to all the main sites and monuments of exceptional historical importance. You will visit the Archaeological Museum, walk through the tiny streets with traditional houses that lead to the Byzantine walls and towers and will stop at the Citadel to enjoy a panoramic view of Thessaloniki. Later, you will stop at the early Byzantine basilica of Saint Demetrious, the patron saint of the city. You will have the opportunity to see the International Fair of Thessaloniki grounds and the University area. The triumphal Arch of Emperor Galerius and the excellently preserved circular “Rotonda”, the Galerius Mausoleum are close by and there will be time to take a look. In front of the White Tower - the symbol of Thessaloniki - that stands on the waterfront you will make a photo stop and this is where the tour will end.

Excursion to Mt. OlympusDate: Friday, 23 May 2014Included in registration packages and accompanying persons’ registration fee

Olympus, with a height of 2918 m, is the highest mountain in Greece, second in the Balkan Peninsula and home of the 12 Olympic Gods. Eternal snow covers the peak of this mountain range with a 4 different zones of vegetation, amazing fauna and flora, medieval monasteries and hiking and climbing paths leading to the peak which was conquered for the first time by the famous photographer Frederic Boissonnas, Daniel Baud-Bovy and Christos Kakalos. This excursion includes also a visit to Dion, the religious centre of the Macedonians, where the mythical Gods were worshipped. For our lunch break we will arrive in the beautiful village of Litochoro. A chance to breathe the fresh mountain air, admire the natural beauty, whilst walking through unspoiled forest of the Ainipeas Valley. One of the best rated restaurants in the country located in Litochoro is going to offer us a taste trip to the local delicatessens.

Cultural Programme

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Mount Athos Boat TourDate: Sunday, 25 May 2014

Southeast of Thessaloniki is Mount Athos or “Aghion Oros”, a unique place to visit. The “Holy Mountain” has been an autonomous monastic state since the 11th century by order of an Imperial Byzantine decree. It still enjoys a special status of autonomy within the Greek State. The cruise around Mount Athos is a wonderful combination of knowledge and pleasure. Women are not permitted on the sacred peninsula. According to the tradition, Virgin Mary was sailing accompanied by St John the Evangelist from Joppa to Cyprus to visit Lazarus. When the ship was blown to Athos peninsula, it was forced to anchor there. The Virgin walked ashore and overwhelmed by the wonderful and wild natural beauty of the mountain, she blessed it and asked her Son for it to be her garden. From that moment the mountain was consecrated as the garden of the Virgin Mary or Mother of God and was out of bounds to all other women. We will have the chance to enjoy the view of the beautiful scenery and the Byzantine monasteries of exceptional and unique architecture. Lunch included.

Post Congress Tour

Excursion to Vergina – VeriaDate: Saturday, 24 May 2014Included in Accompanying persons’ registration fee

The archaeological site at Vergina testifies to the culture of the Macedonian kingdom. The site contains the ruins of the royal family’s summer palace, where, in later years, Philip II was assassinated and buried. Veria: a picturesque town with a unique landscape and architecture full of old Byzantine churches and unique historical monuments. Naoussa: visit to one of the most well known wineries in Greece. Guided tour and wine tasting session. Lunch included.

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Useful Information

Important DatesGEOBIA 2014 conference

Deadline for early bird registration 21 March 2014Deadline for abstract submission 31 January 2014Deadline for extended illustrated abstract submission 1 April 2014Notification of acceptance of abstracts 17 February 2014

LanguageGreek is the official language but English is widely spoken.

CurrencyThe Greek currency is EURO. Credit cards are widely used in most establishments. Most currencies and traveller’s cheques can easily be changed either at banks, hotels or money-changers with some handling charges.

Weather in MayThe climate in Thessaloniki is Mediterranean with a definite seasonal variation. In May it is the peak of blooming and vegetation with temperatures ranging between 17°C to 25°C. Light sweaters and jackets are recommended for the evenings.

Power supplyThe standard current in Greece is 220 volts. Plugs are European standard with two round pins.

Useful phone numbersPolice* 100Ambulance* 166Fire* 199Emergency phone** 112Phone book information* 11888Tourist police station (+30) 2310554870, (+30) 2310554871*It refers to a local number and can be used only from a local phone.** It refers to a European number. After a recorded message in English and Greek, an operator receives the call in English, French or Greek, puts the

caller through to the necessary service, and assists with interpretation, if necessary.

www.artion.com.gr

ARTION Conferences & Events

E. geobia2014@artion.com.grW. geobia2014.web.auth.grT. (+30) 2310 257807 (direct line), (+30) 2310 272275F. (+30) 2310 272276A. 9th km Thessaloniki-Thermi, Thomas Building, PO Box 60705, GR 57001, Thessaloniki

E. geobia2014@for.auth.gr

T. (+30) 2310 992699

F. (+30) 2310 272276A. Aristotle University, PO Box 248, GR 54124, Thessaloniki

Congress Secretariat

Regarding registrationor accommodation:

Regarding the Scientific Programor other queries:

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TYPE HERE THE TITLE OF THE SUBMISSIONFont: Capital letters/ Calibri / Size 11 / Style: Bold / Text Alignment: Left

I.Z. Gitas1, G. Galidaki2, M. Tompoulidou3 [Title Case, the family name follows the first name, Calibri, size 11, text aligned left, use comma to separate author’s names, use numbers

(superscript) at the end to denote different affiliations, underline presenting author but not the superscript.]

1 Type here the affiliations of each author, Each Word Should Be In Title Case.2 Use a different paragraph for each affiliation, following the relative reference number and a space3 Use font Calibri / size 11/, line spacing 13pt, paragraph spacing 0pt, text aligned leftw

KEYWORDS: Key words limited to five, short alphabetically, font Calibri / size 11.

Type your abstract main text here. Prepare your abstract electronically in English as a Microsoft Office - Word Document (.doc / .docx) using this format only. Abstracts should fit on one side of an A4 sized page (297 x 210 mm); with a maximum of 500 words. The standard body typeface is set in Calibri font, body size 11. Set all text fonts colour to black. The body of your texts should be expressed concisely, to optimise your page space. Scientific names must always be formatted in italics but not followed by author names. References, drawings, figures and small tables are not allowed.

Annex

www.artion.com.gr

ARTION Conferences & Events

E. geobia2014@artion.com.grW. geobia2014.web.auth.grT. (+30) 2310 257807 (direct line), (+30) 2310 272275F. (+30) 2310 272276A. 9th km Thessaloniki-Thermi, Thomas Building, PO Box 60705, GR 57001, Thessaloniki

You can find the on line Registration Form at

geobia2014.web.auth.gr

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