Virtual Restoration and Preservation of Anthropogenic Nineteenth-Century Landscapes Based on Historical Land-Use Data

Abstract

Historical maps are a valuable source of information. The Franciscan cadastral maps comprehensively cover the entire territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They are a trustworthy source of historical land-use data and information regarding past urban-planning concepts, especially due to their high geometrical precision. Studying and analysing historical land use makes it possible to reconstruct the historical cultural landscape, which is itself a significant element of cultural heritage. In studying historical maps, the most widely used analytical approach is the comparative method. Matching and overlaying historical and contemporary map data makes it possible to see and analyse changes in land use. This technique has been widely adopted and is now well established, but advanced technologies like high-resolution Lidar terrain data offer new opportunities. It is postulated that especially in rural areas, unlike land use, the terrain has not changed significantly, and the combination of detailed three-dimensional terrain data and historical land use can yield novel views on the man-made landscape of this era. The methodology presented can generate other interpretations of the available data. A combination of new technologies and techniques can provide an accurate virtual historical view and comparison with the same location in the present. The research presented offers fresh insights into what the cultural landscape looked like in the past and what actions can be taken to preserve it in the future.