Thanks for keeping up with the CREtech Community in the News! For more news about members of the CREtech Community, follow us on Linkedin.

Google is making a strategic move to support smarter urban planning and infrastructure management by integrating key Google Maps Platform datasets directly into BigQuery, its advanced data analytics service. The update allows cities, developers, businesses, and public agencies to seamlessly access and analyze location-based insights at scale.

This integration brings three powerful tools into the spotlight:

• Imagery Insights – offering visual infrastructure data to assess the condition of assets like street signs and utility poles.

• Roads Management Insights – providing real-time and historical traffic data for road authorities to improve mobility planning.

• Places Insights – delivering aggregated data on location attributes such as accessibility or popularity based on user behavior.

Additionally, users can now tap into Google Earth Engine through BigQuery to explore environmental datasets, supporting use cases like wildfire risk assessment and deforestation tracking.

The move underscores Google’s broader commitment to enabling data-driven decision-making across industries and governments—offering scalable tools for sustainability, transportation, and urban development challenges.

Original article posted on April 9, 2025