Understanding SAR images
Animation illustrating how a building can act as a corner reflector
Uncle Roger:
In cities you have many roads and buildings. The buildings next to roads can act as corner reflectors. A corner reflector is an object that returns a signal to where it came from using multiple reflections.
The signal sent from the satellite bounces off the road, hits the side of the building, and then returns straight back to the satellite.
This signal that reaches straight back to the satellite is very strong. It produces a bright spot in the image.