Cultural Heritage Environments Research Articles

An energy-efficient internet of things (IoT) architecture for preventive conservation of cultural heritage

Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can facilitate the preventive conservation of cultural heritage (CH) by enabling the management of data collected from electronic sensors. This work presents an IoT architecture for this purpose. Firstly, we discuss the requirements from the artwork standpoint, data acquisition, cloud processing and data visualization to the end user. The results presented in this work focuses on the most critical aspect of the architecture, which are the sensor nodes. We designed a solution based on LoRa and Sigfox technologies to produce the minimum impact in the artwork, achieving a lifespan of more than 10 years. The solution will be capable of scaling the processing and storage resources, deployed either in a public or on-premise cloud, embedding complex predictive models. This combination of technologies can cope with different types of cultural heritage environments.

NEW PERSPECTIVES OF POINT CLOUDS COLOR MANAGEMENT – THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOOL IN MATLAB FOR APPLICATIONS IN CULTURAL HERITAGE

Abstract. The paper describes a method for Point Clouds Color management and Integration obtained from Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) and Image Based (IB) survey techniques. Especially in the Cultural Heritage (CH) environment, methods and techniques to improve the color quality of Point Clouds have a key role because a homogenous texture brings to a more accurate reconstruction of the investigated object and to a more pleasant perception of the color object as well. A color management method for point clouds can be useful in case of single data set acquired by TLS or IB technique as well as in case of chromatic heterogeneity resulting by merging different datasets. The latter condition can occur when the scans are acquired in different moments of the same day or when scans of the same object are performed in a period of weeks or months, and consequently with a different environment/lighting condition. In this paper, a procedure to balance the point cloud color in order to uniform the different data sets, to improve the chromatic quality and to highlight further details will be presented and discussed.

SmaCH: an infrastructure for smart cultural heritage environments

Cultural heritage represents a worldwide resource of inestimable value, attracting millions of visitors every year to monuments and museums. Fundamental aspects of this resource to be investigated are its promotion and people enjoyment. Indeed, to achieve an enjoyment of a cultural space that is attractive, it is necessary to realise ubiquitous solutions for users' interaction to enrich their visiting experience and improve the knowledge transmission process. Thanks to ICT technologies, it is possible to shorten the distance between a cultural site and its visitors, and reestablish to them the truly educational role which provides the opportunity to produce new experiences of knowledge transmission. In this paper, we present a service-oriented infrastructure aimed to transform cultural heritage sites into smart environments. Following the Internet of Things paradigm, the proposed infrastructure relies on the integration of a wireless sensor network (WSN) with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies to identify, locate and support users.

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS MODELS AND THEIR HANDLING VIA 3D SURVEY: FROM POINTS CLOUDS TO USER-ORIENTED HBIM

This paper retraces some research activities and application of 3D survey techniques and Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the environment of Cultural Heritage. It describes the diffusion of as-built BIM approach in the last years in Heritage Assets management, the so-called Built Heritage Information Modelling/Management (BHIMM or HBIM), that is nowadays an important and sustainable perspective in documentation and administration of historic buildings and structures. <br><br> The work focuses the documentation derived from 3D survey techniques that can be understood like a significant and unavoidable knowledge base for the BIM conception and modelling, in the perspective of a coherent and complete management and valorisation of CH. It deepens potentialities, offered by 3D integrated survey techniques, to acquire productively and quite easilymany 3D information, not only geometrical but also radiometric attributes, helping the recognition, interpretation and characterization of state of conservation and degradation of architectural elements. From these data, they provide more and more high descriptive models corresponding to the geometrical complexity of buildings or aggregates in the well-known 5D (3D + time and cost dimensions). <br><br> Points clouds derived from 3D survey acquisition (aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry, LiDAR and their integration) are reality-based models that can be use in a semi-automatic way to manage, interpret, and moderately simplify geometrical shapes of historical buildings that are examples, as is well known, of non-regular and complex geometry, instead of modern constructions with simple and regular ones. In the paper, some of these issues are addressed and analyzed through some experiences regarding the creation and the managing of HBIMprojects on historical heritage at different scales, using different platforms and various workflow. The paper focuses on LiDAR data handling with the aim to manage and extract geometrical information; on development and optimization of semi-automatic process of segmentation, recognition and modelling of historical shapes of complex structures; on communication of historical heritage by virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) in a 3D reconstruction of buildings aggregates from a LiDAR and UAV survey. The HBIM model have been implemented and optimized to be managed and browse by mobile devices for not only touristic or informative scopes, but also to ensure that HBIM platforms will become more easy and valuable tools helping all professionals of AEC involved in the documentation and valorisation process, that nowadays more and more distinguish CH policies.

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS MODELS AND THEIR HANDLING VIA 3D SURVEY: FROM POINTS CLOUDS TO USER-ORIENTED HBIM

Abstract. This paper retraces some research activities and application of 3D survey techniques and Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the environment of Cultural Heritage. It describes the diffusion of as-built BIM approach in the last years in Heritage Assets management, the so-called Built Heritage Information Modelling/Management (BHIMM or HBIM), that is nowadays an important and sustainable perspective in documentation and administration of historic buildings and structures. The work focuses the documentation derived from 3D survey techniques that can be understood like a significant and unavoidable knowledge base for the BIM conception and modelling, in the perspective of a coherent and complete management and valorisation of CH. It deepens potentialities, offered by 3D integrated survey techniques, to acquire productively and quite easilymany 3D information, not only geometrical but also radiometric attributes, helping the recognition, interpretation and characterization of state of conservation and degradation of architectural elements. From these data, they provide more and more high descriptive models corresponding to the geometrical complexity of buildings or aggregates in the well-known 5D (3D + time and cost dimensions). Points clouds derived from 3D survey acquisition (aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry, LiDAR and their integration) are reality-based models that can be use in a semi-automatic way to manage, interpret, and moderately simplify geometrical shapes of historical buildings that are examples, as is well known, of non-regular and complex geometry, instead of modern constructions with simple and regular ones. In the paper, some of these issues are addressed and analyzed through some experiences regarding the creation and the managing of HBIMprojects on historical heritage at different scales, using different platforms and various workflow. The paper focuses on LiDAR data handling with the aim to manage and extract geometrical information; on development and optimization of semi-automatic process of segmentation, recognition and modelling of historical shapes of complex structures; on communication of historical heritage by virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) in a 3D reconstruction of buildings aggregates from a LiDAR and UAV survey. The HBIM model have been implemented and optimized to be managed and browse by mobile devices for not only touristic or informative scopes, but also to ensure that HBIM platforms will become more easy and valuable tools helping all professionals of AEC involved in the documentation and valorisation process, that nowadays more and more distinguish CH policies.

Factors affecting the Sustainable Development of Tourism Sector in Uttarakhand

Tourism as an industry has evolved as one of the largest and lucrative industry in Indian economy. It is regarded as one of the most effective instrument for national integration and harmony. Thus, leading towards social transformation and upliftment of the rural poor. The success of the tourism sector is highly influenced by the supporting industries such as hotels, transportation, communication, banking and so on. Sustainable tourism takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, industry, environment and host communities. Importance of sustainable tourism is immense for poverty reduction, the protection of environment and preservation of cultural heritage. Various stakeholders of sustainable tourism in Uttarakhand call for increase in productivity and efficiency of existing land, water, flora and fauna resources in a planned manner without jeopardizing their future use. This paper primarily aims to enhance a common understanding and commitment about Sustainable Tourism, and to demonstrate how it is a vehicle to foster economic and social growth, through the achievement of development imperatives, while minimizing negative social, cultural and environmental impacts in the state of Uttarakhand. The conceptual paper comes to note that all of us have our own role to play in ensuring tourism as a catalyst for sustainable development.

Storm surge modelling in Venice: two years of operational results

ABSTRACTSea-level forecasting in Venice is a fundamental task for safeguarding the ancient city, its cultural heritage and natural environment. In the last 10 years the finite-element numerical Shallow Water Hydrodynamic Model (SHYFEM), developed at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR) of the National Research Council (CNR) of Venice, has been operationally implemented at the Istituzione Centro Previsioni e Segnalazioni Maree (ICPSM) forecast centre of the Venice Municipality. The model calculates sea level and currents in the whole Mediterranean Sea and the Venice Lagoon under the action of atmospheric forcing fields (pressure and winds) operationally supplied by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). A neural-network module was implemented to correct model results with observed sea-level data in the Adriatic Sea. Every 6 h, the operational model produces a sea-level forecast for the next six days in the Northern Adriatic Sea in the Venice Lagoon. A statistical analysis was performed on the operational results for 2008–2009, to investigate the model goodness-of-fit and its reliability in the operational context. The main statistical quantities (mean error Ē, standard deviation σ, maximum overestimation Emax and maximum underestimation Emin) were computed. The model predicts the sea level both in Venice and in the open sea with good accuracy, with Ē and σ of the order of 1 cm and 5 cm, respectively, in the first 24 h of anticipation during normal weather conditions. Model errors increase when only considering periods of storm surge events.

SmaCH: an infrastructure for Smart Cultural Heritage environments

Cultural heritage represents a worldwide resource of inestimable value, attracting millions of visitors every year to monuments and museums. Fundamental aspects of this resource to be investigated are its promotion and people enjoyment. Indeed, to achieve an enjoyment of a cultural space that is attractive, it is necessary to realise ubiquitous solutions for users' interaction to enrich their visiting experience and improve the knowledge transmission process. Thanks to ICT technologies, it is possible to shorten the distance between a cultural site and its visitors, and reestablish to them the truly educational role which provides the opportunity to produce new experiences of knowledge transmission. In this paper, we present a service-oriented infrastructure aimed to transform cultural heritage sites into smart environments. Following the Internet of Things paradigm, the proposed infrastructure relies on the integration of a wireless sensor network (WSN) with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies to identify, locate and support users.

Integrated Conservation of the Cantonese Opera Art Museum and Intangible Cultural Heritage

Abstract. Cantonese Opera, as the sole cultural heritage of Guangdong Province of China so far, which was included in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage List by the UNESCO, bears the cultural memory of the Lingnan region and as well as the overseas Chinese worldwide. Located in the core historic urban area – Enning Road of Guangzhou, the Cantonese Opera Art Museum is designed in Lingnan traditional garden manner, through going deep into the Cantonese opera culture, Lingnan traditional garden culture and Lingnan cultural spirit. The design highlights the integrated conservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, to protect living history and build the historical environment and place spirit for the intangible cultural heritage. The Cantonese Opera Art Museum is not only a tangible space for exhibition, study, education and display of the Cantonese Opera art, but also a cultural space with the Lingnan cultural memory, gathering the Lingnan intangible heritage and closely linked with current life of successors and ordinary people.

A multidisciplinary approach to the study of cultural heritage environments: Experience at the Palatina Library in Parma

The aim of this paper is to describe a multidisciplinary approach including biological and particle monitoring, and microclimate analysis associated with the application of the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD). This approach was applied at the Palatina historical library in Parma. Monitoring was performed both in July and in December, in the absence of visitors and operators. Air microbial monitoring was performed with active and passive methods. Airborne particles with a diameter of ≥0.3, ≥0.5, ≥1 and ≥5μm/m3, were counted by a laser particle counter. The surface contamination of shelves and manuscripts was assessed with nitrocellulose membranes. A spore trap sampler was used to identify both viable and non-viable fungal spores by optical microscope. Microbiological contaminants were analyzed through cultural and molecular biology techniques. Microclimatic parameters were also recorded. An infrared thermal camera provided information on the surface temperature of the different building materials, objects and components. Transient simulation models, for coupled heat and mass-moisture transfer, taking into account archivist and general public movements, combined with the related sensible and latent heat released into the environment, were carried out applying the CFD-FE (Finite Elements) method. Simulations of particle tracing were carried out.A wide variability in environmental microbial contamination, both for air and surfaces, was observed. Cladosporium spp., Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., and Penicillium spp. were the most frequently found microfungi. Bacteria such as Streptomyces spp., Bacillus spp., Sphingomonas spp., and Pseudoclavibacter as well as unculturable colonies were characterized by molecular investigation. CFD simulation results obtained were consistent with the experimental data on microclimatic conditions. The tracing and distribution of particles showed the different slice planes of diffusion mostly influenced by the convective airflow.This interdisciplinary research represents a contribution towards the definition of standardized methods for assessing the biological and microclimatic quality of indoor cultural heritage environments.

Cognitive Load Management of Cultural Heritage Information: An Application Multi-Mix for Recreational Learners

Under the umbrella of the SEE/B/0016/4.3/X Project SAGITTARIUS a new cultural heritage infrastructure has been introduced in South East Europe. The main aim is to facilitate cognitive-emotional experiences in cultural heritage environments by effectively communicating cultural values to non-captives audiences. A 3-component Roving Museum (RM) is operated in seven countries (GR, BG, HR, HU, IT, RO). The RM adapts to visitor needs in a constantly changing knowledge ecosystem implementing new ways of recreational learning and visitor satisfaction. It includes a QRC-driven portable exhibition with 110 cultural heritage narratives, accessible via QRCs in the territory, an app for iOS and Android, and a social media driven participatory space, to support contextual co-creation and participatory learning. A cognitive driven communication pattern has been developed and adapted to the conditions regulating the recreational learning environment. The pattern employs interrelated content segments in order to free the working memory (WM) from irrelevant cognitive loads, enabling new cognitive content to relate to prior knowledge. The design presupposes a limited WM capacity to deal with visual, auditory and verbal material, and an almost unlimited long-term memory (LTM), able to hold mental representations that vary in their degree of automation. It considers WM constraints, element interactivity and 3 types of cognitive loads (CL). Cognitive accessibility is ensured through provision of novelty and variety, surprise and exploration, strictly avoiding engagement in complex cognitive procedures.

Cultural Heritage and Social Environment Coherence in the Ethnographic Villages of Lithuania

The records of the State protected cultural heritage objects in the preserved ethnographic villages of Lithuania; the survey records on their assessment; the guidelines on their potential use are considered to comprise a very significant part in the field of culturologic assessment. It is closely related to the needs and demands of the currently developed agricultural produce in these villages and the prevailing public services infrastructure as well as the social environment. When working out the issues related to the future heritage preservation and possibilities for the adaptation of these historic ethno culture-oriented rural settlements, the most decisive appeared the economic potential of the population in those villages. The state and conditions of the heritage objects in these ethnographic villages reflect not only the cultural attitude and provisions of the local communities, but the unregulated changes of the social economic environment. The related project was carried out in 2012 called ‘The assessment of the state and conditions of the prioritized ethnographic villages as well as the relics and objects of the immovable cultural heritage in those villages, by means of the analysis of the historical development and photo-fixation of the valuable objects and by the studies of the social environment of the local population’ (Inventory... 2011). There was made an attempt to find out the current conditions of functioning of the prioritized preserved ethnographic villages, to determine the measures for protection as well as the prospects for future development. Based on the ‘Inventory of the criteria for selecting the prioritized ethnographic villages’ (Inventory… 2011) compiled from 38 villages which are included into the List of the Folk Art Valuables on Architecture, there were selected 10 prioritized villages. The assessment of the state and conditions of the immovable cultural heritage objects and social environment was performed in the following ethnographic villages of Salos, S. Katinautiskes, Kretuonos, Mikalajunai, Kasetos, Ziogeliai, Zervynos, Darguziai, Ciziunai ir Skirvytele. From the total number of 386 farmsteads, the detailed research study was performed in 188 farms. The findings of the study clarified the changes in the planned and spatial structure, the current state of the heritage objects of urbanism and architecture, the compositional characteristics in the landscape as well as the needs of the local communities and economic potentials for further protection of the ethno-architectural heritage. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.9.4.7546

Remote assessment of cultural heritage environments with wireless sensor array networks.

The logistics and cost of environmental monitoring can represent challenges for heritage managers, partly because of the sheer number of environmental parameters to consider. There is a need for a system, capable of monitoring the holistic impact of the environment on cultural materials while remaining relatively easy to use and providing remote access. This paper describes a dosimetric system based on piezoelectric quartz crystal technology. The prototype sensing module consists of an array of piezoelectric quartz crystals (PQC) coated with different metals (Fe, Cu, Ni and Sn) and includes a temperature and relative humidity sensor. The communication module involves an 802.15.4 low-power radio and a GPRS gateway which allows real time visualisation of the measurements online. An energy management protocol ensures that the system consumes very low power between measurements. The paper also describes the results and experiences from two heritage field deployments, at Apsley House in London, UK, and at the Royal Palaces of Abomey in Benin. Evaluation of PQC measurements, temperature, relative humidity and the rate of successful transmission over the communication systems are also reported.

3D remote colorimetry and watershed segmentation techniques for fresco and artwork decay monitoring and preservation

One of the most crucial problems in cultural heritage environment is the remote monitoring of the state of monuments, especially of large surfaces (e.g. frescos, chapels). In 2011 a complete 3D colour digitization of the Sistine Chapel was executed by the RGB-ITR (Red Green Blue – Imaging Topological Radar) laser scanner prototype, developed by the UTAPRAD-DIM (Technical Unit for the development of APplications of RADiations – Diagnostics and Metrology) lab of C.R. ENEA Frascati. The preservation of the frescos is put at risk by the salt efflorescence (e.g., calcium carbonate) due to physical and chemical agents. These outcrops showing colours deterioration appear on the fresco as whitish areas of variable size. Within this framework, the scientific challenge is to provide a starting point for the non-invasive diagnosis of fresco degradation in order to contribute to the design and realization of innovative solutions for the restoration and conservation of the paintings, especially in presence of extended surfaces with difficult access. The present work shows the results obtained by the integration of two techniques, based on the RGB-ITR hyper-photos and the watershed algorithm for a semi-automatic detection of defects on fresco. The study case concerns the fresco located inside the Sistine Chapel known as “Temptations of Christ” by Sandro Botticelli.

Cognitive Processing of Information with Visitor Value in Cultural Heritage Environments. The Case of the SEE TCP SAGITTARIUS 2011–2014

The South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Project SAGITTARIUS is a research and developmental project aiming to effectively communicate values of cultural heritage to non-captives audiences in an entertaining and participatory way. A significance assessment facilitates the selection of assets with interpretive potential. Information architecture presupposes a limited working memory capacity to deal with visual and auditory material and a long-term memory able to hold mental representations that vary in their degree of automation. A communication pattern has been developed and adapted to the conditions regulating the recreational learning environment. It facilitates attention and information retention, reinforces the association chain enabling new cognitive content to relate to prior knowledge. A Roving Museum offers a scarce time-budget audience access to interpretive narratives via a portable infrastructure, a mobile telephony application and a social media driven platform.

ENHANCING THE REUSE OF DIGITAL RESOURCES FOR INTEGRATED SYSTEMS TO REPRESENT, UNDERSTAND AND DYNAMIZE COMPLEX INTERACTIONS IN ARCHITECTURAL CULTURAL HERITAGE ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract. In this work we develop a multiply interconnected system which involves objects, agents and interactions between them from the use of ICT applied to open repositories, users communities and web services. Our approach is applied to Architectural Cultural Heritage Environments (ACHE). It includes components relative to digital accessibility (to augmented ACHE repositories), contents management (ontologies for the semantic web), semiautomatic recognition (to ease the reuse of materials) and serious videogames (for interaction in urban environments). Their combination provides a support for local real/remote virtual tourism (including some tools for low-level RT display of rendering in portable devices), mobile-based smart interactions (with a special regard to monitored environments) and CH related games (as extended web services). Main contributions to AR models on usual GIS applied to architectural environments, concern to an interactive support performed directly on digital files which allows to access to CH contents which are referred to GIS of urban districts (involving facades, historical or preindustrial buildings) and/or CH repositories in a ludic and transversal way to acquire cognitive, medial and social abilities in collaborative environments.

School and the Cultural-Heritage Environment: Pedagogical, Creative and Artistic Aspects

The present paper explores the idea that learning, both in and out of school,is a cultural act, and that school and its cultural-heritage environment stamp their own characteristics on pupils. This implies that pupils gradually, with the help of teachers and other relevant adults from their close social environment, develop and adjust their behaviour and lifestyle to their cultural and civilisational milieu. An integrative approach to learning and teaching, through the concept of “learning-centred teaching”, can be instrumental in this regard (Terhart, 2001). This approach aims at linking cognitive, social and moral teachings. According to this teaching concept, pupils learn to appreciate the value of their cultural-heritage environment by living and reliving its experience, while freely and reflexively interpreting and becoming active participants in the culture of those who “learn about life by living” (Terhart, 2001). The relationship between school and its cultural-heritage environment is discussed from a creative and artistic perspective in the second part of the paper. By visually stimulating artistic expression when learning about the culturalheritage and natural environment of school, and through the concept of “action- centred learning”, we explain how pupils can be motivated to learn and display creative-artistic expression, and how they can be actively involved in their communities (participating in organising art exhibitions in their neighbourhood, working in museum workshops, etc.). Pupils’ art projects, inspired by the historical, cultural and natural heritage of their environment, confirm that such projects are an effective way of encouraging pupils’ identity development and sensitivity towards the arts. They teach pupils about the importance of preserving cultural heritage, which is one of the basic principles in the upbringing of future participants and creators of new cultural values. Children’sartistic works illustrate examples of good school practice.

The Urbanization and Artistic Aesthetic of Rural Landscape

Urbanization is a necessary trend of human development. Urban landscape design, as an important means for improving people's living environment, plays a significant role in social economy, ethics and cultural heritage. Rural landscape can not only provide wider and more flexible space configuration, but also offer diverse perspectives for regional cultural heritage. The study of ecological green landscape in urbanization is beneficial to people's landscape aesthetic, the improvement of the sustainable development of landscape design in urban beautification as well as creation of harmonious and favorable modern city environment. Through discussing the artistic aesthetic of rural landscape from the perspectives of ecology, ethics and culture, this paper manages to cultivate the values and functions of rural landscape's urbanization and to provide feasible transformation plans for the environment during the process of urbanization. Creating rural environment in cities can meet people's demand of being closer to the nature and at the same time can strike out the geographical features, cultural heritage and moral ethics environment as well as bring the returning of humanity, establishment of new social order and the creation of harmonious ecological environment and ideal homes.

Monitoring of Solid Particulate Airborne Samples from Mountain Snow in Some Sites of the Alps, Italy

In the last decades, few days a week, several city centres in Italyare closed at vehicular traffic in order to limit the presence of particulate matter, often exceeding the limits set by law [1,2]. The particulate matter have an impact on human health [3,4], in the cultural heritage and natural environment deterioration [5,6]. Many studies have been the carried out in air monitoring in urban areas while the targeted surveys to assess the impact on air quality of snow dispersion for ski activities are rare. Thanks to the Autonomous Province of Trento it has been possible to sample the snowpack in some ski areas inItalyand thanks to stratigraphic profiles it has been possible to observe variations of the chemical composition over time. Natural contribution is strictly related to winds and currents movement, for this reason a deep knowledge of these factors can help in the determination of the prevalent trajectories during the year [7,8]. During a penetrometeric and stratigraphic profile on Presena glacier, the main nivo-meteorological features, air temperature and temperature inside the different layers of the snowpack have been measured. Some snow samples has been collected and analyzed by SEM-EDS, ICP-MS and IC. These qualitative and quantitative analyses allow to obtain chemical and mineralogical composition to define the emitting source.

The use of e-learning methodologies and technologies for generating personalised tours in cultural heritage environments

This work addresses the issue of personalised tours in cultural heritage domains, by exploiting methods and techniques developed for e-learning, in particular those that regard personalised e-learning courses. The main idea of our work is that a tour in a museum or in an archaeological site, either fully virtual or blended, may be managed through an e-learning environment. We propose the use of the LECOMPS5, an e-learning environment, to provide museums or other cultural sites with the capability of automatically planning personalised tours, according to visitors’ needs and interests. We also show an example of an application of this system to an ancient archaeological site called Lucus Feroniae, showing how an e-learning platform can be successfully used for guiding visitors.