Case Studies Land-use Change
A colour aerial photo of the same scene as the image before. The lines of trees are still present but most of the fields have been built over with large industrial buildings. The scene is now crossed by a large motorway.

Land-use Change

The extensive range of historical aerial photographs held by the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP) can aid in analysis of past land uses which might have an environmental impact on sites today and in the future.

Planning for a sustainable future

Monitoring and analysing changes in land use is an essential part of planning for a sustainable future and is a commercial, political and technical challenge. In recent years, much contemporary satellite data and aerial photography has been used to undertake these studies. However, when historical spatial information is needed, historic aerial reconnaissance photographs such as those supplied by NCAP are often the only available resource.

Our extensive range of historical aerial photographs, dating back to the 1920s, can aid in analysis of past land use practices which could have an environmental impact on a site today. The cost of procuring and analysing historical aerial photography is much less than the cost of unforeseen ground conditions and claims.

A black and white aerial photo of fields crossed by roads. The largest road runs horizontally across the middle of the image. A straight line of trees runs vertically through the left of the image, and a zig-zag line of trees runs along the top.

Fields outside East Kilbride; Collection: Scottish Office APU, Sortie: 106G/SCOT/UK/0084, Frame: 3051 (10 May 1946)

A colour aerial photo of the same scene as the image before. The lines of trees are still present but most of the fields have been built over with large industrial buildings. The scene is now crossed by a large motorway.

An industrial estate built over fields outside East Kilbride; Collection: Scottish Office APU, Sortie: ASS/51388, Frame: 0037 (10 June 1988)

Quarries and mines

For brownfield sites, aerial photographs are often the only evidence for features that will affect site development. The original excavation depth of landfill sites can be calculated. Physical features such as building foundations, slurry ponds and chemical tanks may be located on early aerial photography.

A black and white aerial photo of a landscape of fields and small woodlands crossed by a road. There are houses at the top left. In the centre and above centre are two areas of excavations. There are 3 chimneys next to the top area of excavations.

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh, with the three kilns of the lime works visible next to extensive excavations just above centre; Collection: Scottish Office APU, Sortie: MER/026/65, Frame: 0079 (09 April 1965)

Abandoned excavation sites, such as quarries and mines, often become dumping grounds for the fly-tipping of unwanted materials. Objects not normally documented, such as chemical drums, old tyres, vehicles and concrete rubble may be observed on aerial photography. 

A black and white aerial photo of the same landscape of fields and small woodlands as above. There is a large bare patch in the middle of the fields where the previously visible excavations have been filled in. The road has been widened.

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh, with the three kilns still visible but the excavations filled in; Collection: Scottish Office APU, Sortie: MER/112/71, Frame: 0105 (10 July 1971)

When multiple instances of cover are available, the type, age and thickness of fills can be identified and located.

Knowing the location and type of buried physical obstructions and chemical residues allows specific problems to be better defined. Resources can then be allocated for targeted remediation ahead of new construction projects.

A colour aerial photo of the same scene as the last 2 images. The chimneys are still present, but the excavations are covered with fields. A major new motorway with 2 roundabouts is being constructed at the bottom of the image.

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh with the three kilns are still visible. Fields and a new road now cover the old excavations; Collection: Scottish Office APU, Sortie: ASS/50888, Frame: 0081 (27 May 1988)

How to access imagery

There are two ways to order NCAP imagery;

  • Visit the Air Photo Finder which provides easy access to previously digitised imagery that is ready to order at optimal resolution. 
    Air Photo Finder
     
  • NCAP offers a Scan-on-Demand Service where you can identify specific new images for digitisation by using Finding Aids where available. See the How-To Guides for help using the Finding Aids and ordering imagery.
    How-To Guides  Scan on Demand

More Case Studies

Creative Uses

From D-Day to the hunt for secret German weapons, the creative industry has used NCAP imagery to provide authenticity to their productions.

A black and white aerial photo of fields. A large pond is visible centre left. The fields are pockmarked with bomb craters. Digital yellow circles have been drawn around small dots indicating where bombs have landed but not exploded.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

NCAP imagery is used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists to manage and mitigate the risks posed by unexploded ordnance.

A very zoomed-in colour aerial photo of a fence built across a driveway. There are lawns either side of the driveway, and the roofs of 3 sheds are visible to the left and right.

Boundary Disputes

Spanning 100 years, NCAP's aerial photographs can be vital tools in litigation, providing the crucial detail needed to prove property boundaries and rights of way.

A man seen from behind leaning over a black and white aerial photo on a lightbox. He holds a magnifying lens in his white-gloved right hand.

Police Investigation

NCAP aerial photography has long been used by Police Scotland in investigations and when reviewing cold cases to assess landscape changes.