The development of data collection and management system for urban and rural heritage in China

Figure 1 A snapshot of heritage data collection project in the old town of Hongdong (Shaanxi Province) in Li et al. (2021)

source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/vIv294xoruG8rb_gTI6fpA

The establishment of cultural heritage databases has been requested at different administrative levels in China, as part of the development of territory spatial planning. These databases of cultural heritage are expected to provide standard and up-to-date spatial information to meet the requirements of spatial planning. These tasks are essential for achieving data-based design and decision-making with algorithms.

Currently, the dominant techniques used in China to collect data on architectural heritage are laser scanning and oblique photography. While these approaches can gather the structural data of individual buildings and heritage characteristics at large scales, multi-dimensions and multi-scale information remains to be realized. Additionally, the diversity of heritage typologies in urban and rural areas presents a challenge when it comes to data collection and management. In comparison, some international WebGIS platforms, such as Arches, SOCH, have been developed to effectively collect spatial and character information of heritage objects. Zhang et al. (2011) developed a data collection system for urban and rural heritage using mobile GIS. Xiong, Shi, and Chen (2012) applied desktop GIS to manage heritage data collection and analysis. Li et al. (2021) suggested that the system needs to be flexible and compatible with data collection requirements for heritage and conservation logics at different spatial levels, in order to provide a reliable heritage database for the life cycle management. As a result, they proposed a framework of heritage data collection system based on WebGIS, mobileGIS, and WebGL.

Practical explorations regarding the digital management of cultural heritage have been conducted. For example, a conservation and management system of historic architecture and historic and cultural city was developed for Fuzhou. This experience illustrates that database establishment is an effective method for digital heritage management. However, to ensure the efficient collection and management of intact data, a clear data transfer mechanism is need to complete the workflow.

Reference:

Li, B., Gu, P., Zhao, W. and Zhang, G. (2021) Data collection system for urban and rural settlement heritage based on the concept of ZHONG TAI——Take the information collection and application of six urban and rural heritage as an example. Spatial Governance for High-quality Development——Proceedings of the 2021 Urban Planning Society of China Annual Conference.

Xiong, Y., Shi, S. and Chen, Z. (2012) On Application of GIS Technique to Protection and Use of Old City Resources——Take Protection of Yangzhou Old City as an Example. Bulletin of Surveying and Mapping. 08, 79-82.

Zhang, G., Huo, X. and Zhang, J. (2011) Digital Acquisition System of Traditional Building Information in Famous Historical and Cultural Cities, Towns, Villages and Blocks Based on Mobile GIS Platform. Transformation and Reconstruction—Proceedings of the 2011 Urban Planning Society of China Annual Conference.

Source: <https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/vIv294xoruG8rb_gTI6fpA>

Translated and edited by Liang Xiuchun