ISPRS... The journey continues

Please tell us how ISPRS came into being? When was it started and what was the vision behind it?

ISPRS commenced as the International Society of Photogrammetry (ISP) in Vienna, Austria in 1910. In those days it had only 3 members. The aims of the Society were to encourage cooperation between the members to develop the applications of photogrammetry, which were only in their infancy at that time, since aerial images were not commonly available. This vision then was similar as it is today. The Mission of ISPRS is: The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (hereinafter referred to as the Society) is a non-governmental international organization, devoted to the development of international cooperation for the advancement of knowledge, research, development, education and training in the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, their integration and applications, to contribute to the well-being of humanity and the sustainability of the environment.

Could you highlight some of the key contributors to the field of photogrammetry, in ISPRS since its inception?

The founder of ISP in 1910 was Eduard Dolezal. There have been many major contributors over the many years. The Presidents and the Honorary Members of ISP and ISPRS have been prominent individuals, most of them coming from Europe and North America.

Some prominent names in photogrammetry are:

• Laussedat and A. Meydenbauer for close range and architectural photogrammetry
• Scheimflug an early inventor of aerial photogrammetry
• Koppe, W. Jordan and S. Finsterwalder for early applications of photogrammetry
• Pulfrich and M. Gasser E. and von Orel for developments of photogrammetric instrumentation.
• Von Gruber for development of orientation methods
• Schermerhorn K. Rinner and D. Brown for development of theories of photogrammetry
• U. Helava for development of the concept of analytical plotters
• F. Ackermann for recent developments of aerial triangulation

What are the turning points in ISPRS history?

This question could be answered in several different ways: in terms of the management of ISPRS or the development of technologies in photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences. A good paper on this topic was given by Professor Murai at the ISPRS Commission II Symposium in Xi’an in China. A copy will be available on ISPRS Web site shortly. It would be worth consulting that paper for more details.

As far as the administration of ISPRS is concerned, a major turning point occurred in 1948 when the details of six Technical Commissions were defined, while the seventh was added in 1952. These are the seven Technical Commissions that exist today.

A further major turning point was the change of name to include remote sensing in 1980. Although this change did not impact on the work it was undertaking, it recognised the areas that were being studied by ISPRS.

In terms of the technology developments, the turning points are defined in terms of technology three eras of development in photogrammetry:
1850-1950 - Analogue era
1950-1990 - Analytical era
1990-present - Digital era

Remote sensing and spatial information sciences have a much shorter history and hence their turning points are less well defined.

What is the organisational structure of ISPRS? How does it undertake its various activities?

ISPRS is a Society of societies. That is, its members are societies of the member countries. ISPRS has no individual members. Individuals belong to the society in their own country, and that society is the member of ISPRS.

The decision making body of ISPRS is the General Assembly. It is a democratic body, which meets at each quadrennial Congress where it makes decisions that guide the operations of ISPRS for the next 4 years.

The executive body of ISPRS is the Council comprising 6 members, which are appointed by the General Assembly. The Council implements the decisions of the General Assembly for the 4-year period between Congresses. All administrative activities of ISPRS between the Congresses are undertaken by the Council.

The scientific and technical activities are undertaken by the seven Technical Commissions, the Presidents of which are appointed by the General Assembly each 4 years, and come from a different country. The Technical Commission President are responsible for running their Commissions for the 4-year period, according to the terms of reference of the Commissions which are determined by the General Assembly. The areas of responsibility of the Commissions are then allocated to Working Groups, which are managed by Chairs and Co-Chairs. Each Working Group has assigned to it a set of terms of reference, which are planned by the Technical Commission President and approved by the Council.