London's Building Height Map

FIND launched an exclusive London Building Heights map. This online map shows buildings with height points superimposed; just like spot heights traditionally shown on walking maps for hills and mountains.

FIND have developed this viewable and printable layer of indicative building heights in-house. Sophisticated modeling techniques were used to create the building height layer using the Ordnance Survey's MasterMapTopographic building area footprints combined with Blom Aerofilms high quality 50cm interval LiDAR data.

FIND reviewed the LiDAR survey points for the DSM (Digital Surface Model) to get an average value (X). FIND then reviewed the LiDAR points for the DTM (Digital Terrain Model) within the building footprint area to find the average value (Y). The estimated average height value of a particular building is therefore X - Y = Estimated Average Height.

FIND reviewed the LiDAR survey points for the DSM (Digital Surface Model) to identify the highest value (Z) within a building footprint. FIND then reviewed the LiDAR points for the DTM (Digital Terrain Model) within the building footprint area to find the average value (Y). The estimated maximum height value of a particular building is therefore Z - Y = Estimated Maximum Height.

In order to create the accurate building height map available, FIND used sophisticated modelling techniques to combine some of the highest quality mapping and height survey data in the UK. This map layer can be used for viewing a site within the context of its surroundings, attaching height values to a planning application, or just getting a feel for the surface terrain of an area.

FIND's June release also utilises the recent release of OS OpenData with maps such as Ordnance Survey Street View now free to view. In addition, FIND has become one of a select few mapping providers in the UK to offer professional quality maps and data for Northern Ireland from OSNI.