A high resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) provides useful information to Earth sciences of many disciplines such as hydrology, climatology, geomorphology, ecology and civil. However, acquiring DEM data and modelling with sufficient accuracy is very costly. The Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) are the costly ways. These technologies are expensive in terms of the apparatus and its mobilization since they require airborne or satellite platform. This study aims on generating a DEM that is cost effective and highly scalable while preserving a reasonable level of accuracy. A series of developments has been carried out to establish and verify the method of generating such model. Small drones have been used to acquire aerial data. We have carried out field works on current landslide monitoring site under the Malaysian Public Works Department (PWD). It is a remote and small area. A new method of measuring calibration points was introduced to overcome difficulties due to absence of GPS signal, steep slope and thick vegetation canopy. The results obtained are very favourable. The DEM resolution achieved is in the centimetre range. The overall cost incurred was relatively competitive.
