GEPATAR: A geotechnical based PS-InSAR toolbox for architectural conservation in Belgium

Ground displacements that cause structural damage to heritage buildings are precipitating cultural and economic value losses. The GEPATAR project (GEotechnical and Patrimonial Archives Toolbox for ARchitectural conservation in Belgium) aims creating an online interactive geoinformation tool that allows the user to view and to be informed about the Belgian heritage buildings at risk due to differential ground movements. In the last decade, Persistent Scatterer SAR interferometry (PS-InSAR) has proven to be a powerful technique for analysing earth surface deformation. In order to identify the level of risk at national and local scales, this information is integrated with the Belgian heritage data by means of a GIS environment interactive toolbox and fusion modules. This paper presents a description of the methodology implemented in the project together with the case study of Saint-Vincent church, located in Zolder in a former colliery zone, for which damage is assessed.