Geomatics for the Preservation and Resilience of Cultural Heritage Against Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards

Short description:
Cultural heritage, by its very nature fragile, is increasingly exposed to risks associated with natural disasters, climate change, and human-induced factors, including uncontrolled urban development, the improper use of cultural resources, and destruction caused by armed conflicts.

The workshop “Geomatics for the preservation and resilience of cultural heritage against natural and anthropogenic hazards” explores different risk categories and examines the role of geomatics in the documentation, protection, monitoring, and enhancement of cultural heritage. The targeted use of geomatic technologies not only enables the development of effective strategies for risk assessment and predictive damage analysis but also facilitates rapid intervention in emergency situations. Moreover, the protection of tangible heritage extends to intangible heritage, contributing to the safeguarding of knowledge, traditions, and cultural identities.

The main objective of this workshop is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to deal with natural and human-induced hazards to cultural heritage. We will focus on geomatics tools and techniques that can contribute to increasing the resilience of cultural heritage. We will also discuss the importance of implementing a virtuous process for heritage monitoring to ensure that it is sustainable in terms of economics, management and reducing material loss.

The workshop will provide an up-to-date overview of natural and anthropogenic hazards showcasing the application of geomatics tools and techniques through case studies at different scales.

This will be followed by a hands-on session where participants will work directly with data provided by the organisers, gaining practical experience in integrating geometric and thematic layers, applying diagnostic techniques and using immersive visualisation in virtual reality.

Special attention will also be given to the ethical implications of digital reconstruction, with insights into authenticity, ownership and accessibility of data. This 6-hour interactive session is designed for academics, students and professionals from fields such as archaeology, architecture, engineering, digital humanities and conservation. Through presentations and group discussions, participants will develop practical skills to approach heritage conservation projects in a more informed way, adopting sustainable and resilient approaches for the future.

Time and date:
10:00 – 16:00 (6 hours)
23 August (Saturday)

Target audience:
The workshop is designed for scholars, students and professionals from fields such as geomatics, archaeology, architecture, digital humanities, conservation and engineering to collaboratively explore the intersections of technology and heritage conservation. No specific previous training is required.

Requirements:
Essential materials for participants:

• Laptop for hands-on sessions involving digital tools and visualization techniques. Should have sufficient processing power for working with 3D models.
• Pre-installed Software: CloudCompare (https://www.danielgm.net/cc/), MeshLab (https://www.meshlab.net/), ATON (https://osiris.itabc.cnr.it/aton/)

Number of participants:
15

Location:
Education Centre, National Museum of Korea