BeGeo 2026

Track 6: Resilience With Open Data / Geo for World-Wide Purposes
(Veerkracht met open data / Geo voor wereldwijde doelen)

Topic:
Creating a geo-intelligent world – Using Earth observation data and advanced remote sensing services to support research and operational decision-making, helping us understand our changing planet and guide effective action.

Abstract:
Humanity is entering a decade where resilience depends on our ability to understand a rapidly evolving and ever-changing landscape in real time. Decisions in policy, strategy, and military are ever increasingly reliant on near-real time (geo-)intelligence. Building on the Copernicus Data Ecosystem, we are helping to shape a new generation of geo-intelligent platforms that do more than observe the Earth.

We introduce technologies that redefine what Earth observation systems can be:

• secure, custom data collection onboarding that lets organisations fuse their own trusted data with global, tailored, and upcoming satellite streams
• AI training on demand that creates models as dynamic as the world they monitor
• thematic, agentic AI layers that interpret change through the lenses of biodiversity, agriculture, water, climate, resilience, military, and beyond.

These capabilities transform platforms like Terrascope and the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem into living, evolving engines of planetary intelligence. Systems that anticipate risks, reveal hidden patterns, and enforce decisions to act with foresight rather than reaction. A glimpse into how geo-intelligence is becoming a cornerstone of a resilient, regenerative future.
 

Speakers

Dennis Clarijs

Head of Platforms and Services

dennis.clarijs@vito.be

Track 2: From Crisis to Coordination
(Van crisis naar coördinatie)

Topic:
This presentation will be about the FLOWS project, which VITO collaborates on with NGI, Belgium's National Geographic Institute, and other partners. This project investigates how we can support crisis and water managers in case of floods with the help of remote sensing data, i.e. satellite and drone data.

Abstract:
Floods are happening all over the world and are occurring more often and more intensely due to climate change. Past events underlined there is an urgent need for improved flood response management systems. For this, objective, accessible, and clear information is key. The FLOWS project aims to identify the stakeholders’ information needs and fill these gaps by developing dedicated flood information products. These include flood maps from different remote sensing modalities, ranging from UAV video to radar satellite, short- and long-term damage assessments, dynamic population impacts, and aggregated flood hot spot maps. This presentation will give an overview of each of these products and discuss how they can support flood crisis management.
 

Speakers

Lisa Landuyt

Remote Sensing Scientist

lisa.landuyt@vito.be