GHSL (Global Human Settlement Layer)
type: Dataset
comment: This dataset metadata was generated with the use of AI and reviewed by an expert. If you see any mistakes please file an issue on GitHub at https://github.com/earthcube/communityCollections/issues.
description: The Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) is a global, multi-temporal suite of geospatial datasets describing human settlements, built-up areas, and population distribution derived from Earth Observation and population data. GHSL products include gridded built-up surface, built-up volume, building height and settlement characteristics, population grids, and settlement typologies (e.g., Degree of Urbanisation / settlement model). Data are provided at multiple spatial resolutions and coordinate systems and span multiple epochs, including short-range projections for 1975–2030 for key products.
keywords: GHSL
keywords: Global Human Settlement Layer
keywords: human settlements
keywords: built-up area
keywords: built-up surface
keywords: built-up volume
keywords: building height
keywords: population grid
keywords: settlement model
keywords: degree of urbanisation
keywords: urbanization
keywords: exposure mapping
keywords: remote sensing
keywords: Copernicus
keywords: JRC
creator: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC)
provider: Copernicus Emergency Management Service
publisher: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC)
is accessible for free: true
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
variable measured: Built-up surface
  type: PropertyValue
  description: Gridded built-up surface area (including total and non-residential components for some products).
  temporal coverage: 1975-01-01/2030-12-31
  spatial coverage: Global Human Settlement Layer product coverage
    type: Place
    geo: GeoShape
      box: -180,-90 180,90
  temporal resolution: not detected
  spatial resolution: not detected
variable measured: Built-up volume
  type: PropertyValue
  description: Gridded built-up volume estimates (including total and non-residential components for some products).
  temporal coverage: 1975-01-01/2030-12-31
  spatial coverage: Global Human Settlement Layer product coverage
    type: Place
    geo: GeoShape
      box: -180,-90 180,90
  temporal resolution: not detected
  spatial resolution: not detected
variable measured: Building height
  type: PropertyValue
  description: Gridded building height estimates for selected reference years/products.
  temporal coverage: 1975-01-01/2030-12-31
  spatial coverage: Global Human Settlement Layer product coverage
    type: Place
    geo: GeoShape
      box: -180,-90 180,90
  temporal resolution: not detected
  spatial resolution: not detected
variable measured: Population
  type: PropertyValue
  description: Residential population grid (number of people per cell) for multiple epochs and projections.
  temporal coverage: 1975-01-01/2030-12-31
  spatial coverage: Global Human Settlement Layer product coverage
    type: Place
    geo: GeoShape
      box: -180,-90 180,90
  temporal resolution: not detected
  spatial resolution: not detected
variable measured: Settlement Typology and Degree of Urbanisation
  type: PropertyValue
  description: Settlement model classification based on the UN-recommended Degree of Urbanisation methodology.
  temporal coverage: 1975-01-01/2030-12-31
  spatial coverage: Global Human Settlement Layer product coverage
    type: Place
    geo: GeoShape
      box: -180,-90 180,90
  temporal resolution: not detected
  spatial resolution: not detected
encoding format: text/html
encoding format: application/zip
encoding format: image/tiff
encoding format: application/geotiff
encoding format: text/csv
encoding format: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet
encoding format: application/geopackage+sqlite3
distribution: GHSL direct download (advanced users)
  type: DataDownload
  description: Direct download interface for GHSL products (tile-based and single-file downloads).
  encoding format: text/html
distribution: GHSL download wizard (step-by-step)
  type: DataDownload
  description: Interactive wizard to select GHSL product group, dataset, epoch, resolution, and coordinate system for download.
  encoding format: text/html
distribution: Use conditions and how to cite
  type: DataDownload
  description: GHSL use conditions and citation guidance, including license and reference publication pointers.
  encoding format: text/html
distribution: JRC GHSL collection landing page
  type: DataDownload
  description: European Commission JRC collection page aggregating GHSL datasets and releases.
  encoding format: text/html
citation: Advances on the Global Human Settlement Layer by joint assessment of Earth Observation and population survey data
  type: ScholarlyArticle
  author: M. Pesaresi
  author: M. Schiavina
  author: P. Politis
  author: S. Freire
  author: K. Krasnodębska
  author: J. H. Uhl
  author: T. Kemper
  is part of: International Journal of Digital Earth
  date published: 2024
about: Human settlements
about: Built environment
about: Population distribution
about: Urbanization
about: Remote sensing