Shahjahanabad, the erstwhile capital of the Mughal Empire in subcontinental India, established in 1648 CE, has fallen into a state of disrepair, with its cultural heritage constantly threatened by the pressures of urbanization.
The city's development has led to the loss of vital resources, architectural typologies, and civic amenities that were once integral to its historical value.
However, a Phys.org report tells us that a new initiative is underway to preserve the city's unique identity and restore it to its former glory.
Researchers use geo-information tools like photogrammetry, archival research, old maps, and survey plans to make a digital twin of Shahjahanabad. The model will serve as a blueprint for future planning and development.
A Digital Twin for an Ancient City
According to the report, the digital twin will reconstruct the city as it once was, filling the gaps found in cartographic sources by extracting spatial information from written records, sketches, photographs, and other images.
This is a significant undertaking since Shahjahanabad is a living city, and modeling dense, living heritage areas like this using photogrammetry and laser scanning takes on a different meaning.
The researchers' methodology, combining geo-information technology (GIT) methods with archival research, could be helpful in other urban areas lacking historical spatial information to model the past.
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Furthermore, Shahjahanabad's digital twin will be a valuable tool for policymakers and planners, presenting various scenarios for meeting contemporary needs while preserving cultural heritage.
Cultural Heritage Preservation Efforts
A study published in Heritage Science revealed the burgeoning use of 3D digital technologies to study cultural heritage. Efforts to preserve cultural heritage are being streamlined due to rapid technological advancements.
These technologies include 3D scanning, 3D modeling, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), frequently employed to offer virtual presentations of historical monuments and ancient artifacts.
Cultural heritage preservation is critical because it adds tremendous socioeconomic and anthropological value to many people's lives. The United Nations has recognized this by including it in Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage.
Unfortunately, urbanization constantly threatens cultural heritage through rapid demographic changes, homogenization, loss of identity, and, in the worst-case scenario, demolition.
Importance of the Digital Twin
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has identified the threats mentioned above, and cultural heritage preservation and management require accurate information.
In this context, developing a digital twin of Shahjahanabad is essential to preserving its cultural heritage and distinct identity. It will raise cultural awareness and serve as a future development and planning model.
However, policymakers and planners must exercise caution to ensure that such critical work does not jeopardize cultural heritage.
Digital twins can highlight cultural heritage elements that have been lost to time and survived, emphasizing the importance of preserving them for future generations.
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