- Planet Labs PBC (PL, Financial) completes a pilot project with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in Zanzibar.
- The initiative provides government leaders access to high-resolution satellite data for informed decision-making.
- Over 18,300 building footprints identified and flood-prone infrastructure improved by 20% as a result of the project.
Planet Labs PBC (PL), a leader in global satellite imagery and geospatial solutions, announced the successful completion of a collaborative pilot project with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) to enhance data-driven policy-making in Zanzibar. Over the year-long initiative, high-resolution and frequent satellite data were supplied to more than ten government agencies to aid in resource management, infrastructure planning, and land-use assessments.
The project facilitated access to Planet's diverse satellite data products, including near-daily 3-meter global imagery for tracking changes such as land-use and infrastructure development, and high-resolution 50cm SkySat data for capturing detailed moments like natural disaster impacts. This initiative encompassed GIS training, data delivery, and support for policy implementation, allowing government stakeholders to start integrating geospatial data into their workflows.
Results from the pilot include the identification of over 18,300 building footprints and a 20% enhancement in flood-resistant infrastructure. These achievements underscore the benefits of shifting from reactive to proactive, data-informed decision-making. According to TBI's Executive Director for Partnerships and Initiatives, Emily Stanger Sfeile, this project exemplifies how cutting-edge technology can transform government operations and policy development.
The pilot serves as a scalable model for future multi-year and multi-government initiatives, providing invaluable insights and best practices for broader implementation. This collaboration aligns with Planet's mission of making global change visible and actionable, leveraging its extensive Earth observation satellite fleet to provide critical data and insights to its diverse clientele, including leading agriculture, forestry, education, and government sectors.
