---
title: "Spot heights and orthophoto for a plot | SensorFlight"
canonical_url: https://sensorflight.com/en/case-studies/cotas-ortofoto-parcela-arnavutkoy/
language: en
---

# Current heights and an orthophoto for designing a building plot

Base mapping. Location: Arnavutköy, Istanbul, Turkey. Year: 2026.

Before designing on a plot in Arnavutköy (Istanbul) the architect asked for a current spot height plan and an orthophoto. The MapSurvey team produced them with drone photogrammetry referenced to the ITRF frame.

## What the project needed

A spot height plan reflecting the real state of the plot, not an old survey, and a georeferenced image on which to fit the building and its accesses. On urban and edge of town land the ground changes with every neighbouring job, and an outdated level is paid for in foundations and site works.

## Why photogrammetry tied to ITRF

The value of a spot height plan lies in its reference system: if it sits in the official frame, any later GNSS setting out will agree with it. Here the photogrammetric block was referenced to ITRF, the frame Turkish official mapping works in, and the heights were read off the surface model. As a general rule, on open plots photogrammetry gives the point density a design needs without resorting to LiDAR.

## What was delivered

Two files the architect can start drawing on the same day.

- **Spot height drawing (NetCAD, DWG)**: Ground levels for siting the building, accesses and drainage.
- **Orthophoto (ECW)**: Current georeferenced image for fitting the design and checking boundaries.

## If you have a similar project in Spain

The equivalent here is to ask for the plan in ETRS89 and your UTM zone, with heights as DWG or DXF and the orthophoto as GeoTIFF or ECW with its GSD stated. Also confirm which height datum is used. To quote, we need the plot perimeter as KMZ, the intended use of the plan and whether buildings or vegetation hide the ground.

## Technical sheet

- Reference system: ITRF
- Method: Drone photogrammetry
- Extraction: Heights from the surface model
- Formats: NetCAD, DWG, ECW
- Year: 2026
- Executed by: MapSurvey, SensorFlight's technical partner

## A project by our technical partner

This work was carried out by MapSurvey, our technical partner in Turkey, measuring since 2015. In Spain, SensorFlight handles the fieldwork and the client relationship, and MapSurvey processes the data and delivers the models. Samet Bayram Gulyol, GIS expert at MapSurvey, is SensorFlight's technical lead.

See the original project sheet on mapsurvey.eu: https://www.mapsurvey.eu/projects/site-design-spot-heights-orthophoto

## Have a similar project?

Tell us the area, the timeframe and the deliverables you need and we will prepare a proposal.

- Email: info@sensorflight.com
- Phone: +34 690 00 02 13