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Description
The SIMEC project - aims to establish a new methodology for acquiring Earth observation data and for aspects related to Coastal Erosion. Drones will be used to acquire high-resolution aerial images ( 45MP) that, after processing by software, will generate three-dimensional models of the collection sites. The objective will be to build a database of each location with frequent collection but always using the same flight plan in the Drone so that the only variable with change will be the time variable. All other acquisition method will be the same for each campaign. Thus, at the end of the project, we intend to have 4 digital models equally spaced in time for each location (7 locations - Torres Vedras, Lourinhã, Óbidos, Caldas da Rainha, Nazaré, Alcobaça). In this way, we intend to establish a completely digital and environmentally friendly methodology for data acquisition that, after the end of the project, results in a service of continued execution by public and governmental bodies. Furthermore, the data collected within the scope of the SIMEC project and after its processing will constitute a first verticality and will be archived in a digital information deposit (CIT – Territory Intelligence Centre) to be created by CIMOeste - Comunidade Intermunicipal do Oeste
Summary of project results
The project was necessary in the sense that the Western Region of Portugal is beginning to be visited by tourists from all over the world in search of the temperate, cool climate and its historical, cultural, and gastronomic riches. A territory bathed by the sea, which provides those who visit it with a diversity of seascapes that are concentrated in this portion of territory. From dune areas, to rocky outcrops, to clay cliffs that preserve paleontological remains that date back to the time of dinosaurs, this territory recently received the classification of UNESCO Territory.
Also not forgetting the dozens of beaches with Blue Flag classification. It is therefore important to dedicate special care to this territory, in order to protect the safety of those who visit it, but also, in order to look more closely at its vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, in this specific case with a focus on Coastal Erosion.
From an academic point of view, it also benefits from its diverse coastal morphology, but also from a unique position in front of the Atlantic Ocean. With a natural characteristic of having a Cape (Cabo Carvoeiro – Peniche, fig 1) that divides the territory roughly in half, forming a natural defense structure against coastal drifts, which naturally makes it a unique natural laboratory for the study of Coastal Erosion phenomena.
Thus, the SIMEC project which obtains three-dimensional and georeferenced digital models of parts of the territory that can be compared between them, put at the service of Municipalities their own tool for diagnosing the evolutionary state of the phenomenon of Coastal erosion. Taking advantage of Drone technology, associated with the creation of databases, the West of Portugal can look more incisively at the most worrying parts of its territory. Thus ceasing to depend on other types of studies conducted by State Institutions, which, given their National Responsibility, end up not being able to respond to the specificity and punctuality with which the phenomena occur. The SImec project is at this stage, under consideration by the Intermunicipal Community of the West in order to proceed with its inclusion in the Digital Information Platform CIT - Centro de Inteligencia Territorial - SMART REGION, in order to define the form of its digital archive, and representation of different levels of information (Politics, Security, Public in general). Likewise, this analysis includes price negotiation that will allow the work to continue in the post-project period and in the form of service resulting from the SIMEC Project.
1st - The main result of the SIMEC Project will obviously be the contracting of the post-project service, as only in this way will it become the consolidation of value creation for PIXAIR, as well as the consolidation of job creation, from a modern and added value perspective, contributing thus PIXAIR for the difficult task of "holding" talent in Portugal.
However, there are 3 other results that we would like to point out:
2nd - PIXAIR was recently invited by the Executive Director of GEOPARQUE Oeste, to present the SIMEC project, as an example of Good Practices applied to UNESCO Geopark territories, at a conference entitled Climate Action - Portuguese UNESCO World Geoparks, which had take place on 06/12/2024, in the city of Covilhã. This opportunity results in a rapprochement between the Objectives of the SIMEC Project and those of GEOPARQUE Oeste, which suggests a very promising partnership in the application of this technology to the different interests of monitoring, maintenance and visitation of the various geosites that make up GEOPARQUE OESTE. During this event and as a result of the presentation made, we were also contacted by those responsible for GEOPARQUE UNESCO ALGARVENSIS, with the aim of being able to initiate the same type of Observations with this territory in the context of monitoring, conservation and creation of real and virtual visitation infrastructures.
3rd – The methodology applied in the design of the SIMEC project, today appears to have given PIXAIR its status as a STARTUP, dedicated to high-resolution Earth Observation products and services. This statement is contributing to PIXAIR continuing to develop new tools/services similar to SIMEC, but dedicated to other areas of climate challenges, such as the SIMIV Project - Integrated System for Monitoring Vegetative Indices (ongoing project), and others currently in the application writing phase.
4th – The Project was also recently awarded the Best Paper Award, awarded by Escola Nautica Infante Dom Henrique, within the scope of the conference, SIM24 - Sustainable Initiatives in the Marine Sector, held at this institution on 19/06/2024. (Paper in annex documents). https://sustainableinitiativesinmaritime.com/SIM24/
We consider the SIMEC project completely successful, in that the objectives proposed in the application were completely achieved. It was possible to carry out the flights in an expeditious and repeated manner even with the entry into force of the new legislation for the operation of Drones, which resulted in the additionality of having to obtain flight permits ( AAN, Capitancies, ICNF), for all the locations in question, however we did not have any objection or legal impediment to the performance of flights.
The data collected made it possible to generate the desired 3D models, and the 3D models made it possible to make comparisons and detect changes as we imagined before the project, thus proving to be an operational tool, which consists of the addition and use of several technologies known today.
During the execution of the project and the various people who questioned us about what we were doing, they all congratulated us on our initiative and determination in the work we were doing, thus also contributing positively to the image of public policies in each Municipality involved.
PIXAIR, as a STARTUP, does not yet have the financial capacity to undertake projects that may not result in products and services that bring revenue, we also understand that the success of the SIMEC project is due to this additional pressure factor that we resolved resiliently with rigor, focus, determination and respect for the financing funds that in their genesis are intended to promote this type of activities and this type of outcome. Naturally, we cannot force political guidance, but we understand that with regard to the project''s objectives, these have been achieved. More, taking into account the EU policies for Climate Change defended both in the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change - ENAAC, and then reproduced regionally for the Intermunicipal Adaptation Plans for Climate Change - PIAAC, this project has everything to achieve its consolidation over time and assert itself as a mind changer, with regard to the way we look at Coastal Erosion which, as stated in the application, are very slow phenomena, but which we all know is happening.
Summary of bilateral results
With regard to bilateral relations, these must also be considered successful and consolidated. During the execution of the SIMEC project, PIXAIR visited Norway twice, in Bergen for the One Oean Week event, and later in OSLO for the OIW Event - Oslo Innovation Week, also taking advantage of this second stay in Norway, to visit the facilities of USN - University Southeastern Norway, and the AICEP delegation and Embassy of Portugal in Norway. During the execution of the project, NORCE Researcher - Fabio Andrade, visited Portugal where he had the opportunity to see each of the project''s monitoring sites in person and follow the execution of the 2nd data collection campaign, as well as at the end of the project to participate in its final event that took place on 04/23/2024.The way the project was executed and its outcome are naturally determining for the maintenance of healthy bilateral relations.From PIXAIR''s point of view, we consider bilateral relations both during the project and after its end to be excellent. Proof of this lies in the fact that during the SIMEC project we were invited to join together with NORCE, the European candidacy Disaster-Resilient Society 2024 (HORIZON-CL3-2024-DRS-01). The period running now is being used by this partnership to define and organize ideas and start typing down in order to submit the development of new operational services to submit in future calls.