New urban applications are emerging for remote sensing, in particular with the use of high-resolution data for measuring, monitoring and analysis. This comes through the use of high spatial resolution imaging, such as for precision mapping of cities; new techniques for population mapping; extracting urban land use features, and evaluating the city energy patterns; and through the use of night-time imagery for determining populations and economic activity, particularly on a global scale.

Remotely Sensed Cities helps to redress the balance with remote sensing books, most of which are dedicated to the physical environment. It is designed for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, along with research scientists and brings together a good deal of topical work applying remote sensing to the understanding of urban features, their behavior and growth.