ULaval 2025 GIS Day: When geospatial data tells the world differently

On November 14, 2025, Université Laval hosted the geospatial community for a day filled with discoveries, exchanges, and innovations. For me, the ULaval GIS Day has become an essential event for those passionate about mapping, spatial data, artificial intelligence, and the environment.

This year, the conferences highlighted concrete projects that demonstrate how geospatial data can transform our understanding of the world.

Here is an overview of the most noteworthy presentations from the event:

Imagine being able to compare aerial photos taken 100 years ago with today’s satellite images to detect changes in the landscape, infrastructure, or environment. That’s exactly what GeoAI , a geospatial artificial intelligence developed by Natural Resources Canada, offers.

Using deep learning models, researchers can transform historical photos into digital data ready for analysis. These tools can locate forgotten mines, track changes in forest cover, or even identify the impacts of a natural disaster like a forest fire. A demonstration showed how images of Jasper National Park were used to visualize fire-affected areas, detecting features that were present before but absent on the most recent map.

This type of technology paves the way for a better understanding of the territory, combining past and present to better plan for the future.

The Quebec land registry is the official source of land property data. Combined with other spatial data (such as infrastructure, topography, hydrography, etc.), it is possible to obtain an accurate picture of a territory. However, in rural areas, obtaining this precise and up-to-date supplementary data can be difficult. Alexandre Laplante proposes an innovative solution: using low- and medium-cost drones , GNSS sensors, terrestrial LiDAR, and open data to create 3D models of the territory.

This approach makes it possible to visualize buildings, property boundaries, and natural features such as rivers or steep slopes. This type of modeling can be used to improve land-use planning, produce enhanced location certificates, or understand flood risks.

A great example of the democratization of geospatial technologies , which makes mapping accessible to all.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be hazardous to health. In Quebec, it is known that it was mined in Thetford Mines and Val-des-Sources, but what about the rest of the province?

Francis Donati-Daoust presented a project mapping the susceptibility of asbestos to the presence of bedrock . By analyzing more than 200 former deposits and cross-referencing geological, mineralogical, and structural data, his team was able to identify at-risk areas . A web application now allows users to consult these maps, which are useful for citizens, municipalities, and environmental professionals.

This project demonstrates how geospatial data can contribute to public health and environmental transparency.

Bathymetric surveys, which measure the depth of lakes and rivers, are essential for managing aquatic environments. However, the equipment is often expensive and complex. Professor William Ney Cassol presented an innovative solution created by his team: an open-source hydrographic drone , designed for less than $4,000.

This small catamaran, equipped with simple sensors and an autonomous navigation system, can map shallow areas, inspect coastal structures, or monitor the environment. Tested in several bodies of water around Quebec City, it produced accurate maps while remaining easy to transport and use.

A promising future application was even mentioned, namely exploring the flooded former asbestos mining sites , discussed in the previous conference, in order to better understand their current state and environmental impacts.

A great initiative that shows that innovation can also rhyme with accessibility. 

In several Francophone African countries, land conflicts are frequent. The cause? A lack of official recognition of property rights, often managed according to oral traditions. Francis Roy proposes a solution inspired by the Quebec model: creating geospatial data infrastructures to document and make land rights public. This is an ambitious project, considering that in Quebec this data infrastructure was developed over a long historical period, and that in Africa the need is real and urgent, in order to prevent numerous conflicts.

Projects like PROCASEF in Senegal demonstrate that this approach can promote better land distribution, recognize women’s rights, and reduce social tensions. By combining mapping, land registration, and territorial planning, geospatial data becomes a tool for peace and development.

The 2025 GIS Day at ULaval showcased the breadth of its expertise in the use of geospatial data. This expertise addresses concrete issues such as the environment, heritage, health, urban planning, and social justice. The presentations successfully simplified complex topics , demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to serve society.

Whether you are a student, professional, researcher, or simply curious, this day offers you access to new ideas, inspiring projects, and practical tools. It serves as a reminder that geospatial data is a universal language , capable of telling stories, solving problems, and building bridges between disciplines.

And you, how do you use data to better understand your world?

GIS Day returns every year in mid-November with increasingly relevant content. To make sure you don’t miss anything, visit the official website: https://journeesig.ulaval.ca 

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