I've been working on this project for a couple weeks now and wanted to share it publicly. I currently have 7 datasets of imagery loaded in, with plans to add more based on your suggestions.

https://adoucett.github.io/swipe/stl/

The app currently features seven datasets of aerial imagery, and I’m eager to expand it with your input. You can select any even-numbered year from 2002 (the earliest year with color imagery) to 2024 and swipe left or right to compare the imagery sourced from Google Earth. I tried to focus on areas where there was a lot of observable change during this time period or just looked like they had interesting stories to tell through the images. 

Please note that the app is currently designed for desktop use due to the large image sizes, and may not function well on mobile devices. I am looking into options to improve mobile compatibility.

I’m particularly interested in your suggestions for additional neighborhoods or areas in the local region to include next. Each new dataset takes around 30-40 minutes to add, as it’s a somewhat manual process, but I’m committed to incorporating the top suggestions from this thread.

I look forward to your feedback and insights as I continue to refine and expand this concept. Thanks! 

Really cool! More people should see just how much Forest Park Southeast has changed. Highlands and Hampton area would be another big changer.

Very cool.  Easiest thing to see here is the proliferation of light colored "cool roofs" in residential neighborhoods.  Would be interesting to see some of the suburban sprawl at the edges of the region in this time frame.  

verdantruins wrote: ↑

Jul 23, 2024

Very cool.  Easiest thing to see here is the proliferation of light colored "cool roofs" in residential neighborhoods.  Would be interesting to see some of the suburban sprawl at the edges of the region in this time frame.  

Also would be curious to see where in the metro area outside of the City has infilled and increased density in their cores. Was thinking wouldn't Kirkwood's downtown look very different between these time periods?

verdantruins wrote: ↑

Jul 23, 2024

Very cool.  Easiest thing to see here is the proliferation of light colored "cool roofs" in residential neighborhoods.

Interesting observation - though I notice on several maps, many of the larger industrial and commercial roofs changed in the other direction

Very cool. I'll check it out soon. 

bprop wrote: ↑

Jul 25, 2024

verdantruins wrote: ↑

Jul 23, 2024

Very cool.  Easiest thing to see here is the proliferation of light colored "cool roofs" in residential neighborhoods.

Interesting observation - though I notice on several maps, many of the larger industrial and commercial roofs changed in the other direction

I noticed the same.   Wonder what this reflects.  Different energy incentives for residential and commercial buildings?