SPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM OF HISTORICAL SITE
— PROPOSAL AND REALISATION OF FUNCTIONAL PROTOTYPE
J. Hodac
CTU in Prague, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Dept. of Mapping and Cartography
Thakurova 7, Prague, 166 29, Czech Republic: hodac @fsv.cvut.cz
KEY WORDS: Cultural Heritage, Spatial Information Sciences, System, Project, Proposal, Development, Virtual Reality,
Internet/Web
ABSTRACT:
The development of the methods of spatial data acquisition together with progress in information technologies brings up a question
about creation and usage of spatial models and spatial information systems of historical sites and buildings. This paper presents the
current state of the “Live Theatre” project. The theme of the project is the proposal and realisation of a spatial information system of
the baroque theatre of Cesky Krumlov castle (UNESCO site).
The project is divided into three main stages — creation of a 3D model, proposal of a conception of a spatial information system and
realisation of a functional prototype. Spatial data were acquired by means of photogrammetric and surveying methods. An accurate
3D model was built in CAD system MicroStation and it is a photo-realistic (textured) model. The proposal of a conception of a
spatial information system was the main result of the author’s dissertation. The essential feature of the proposed conception is
creation of subsystems targeted on three spheres — management, research and presentation of the site. Functionality of each
subsystem is connected with its related sphere; however, they are using the same database. Realisation of a functional prototype
(with sample data) is a present stage of the project. During this stage we are solving several basic technological topics. Now we are
concerned with spatial data, its formats, format conversions (e.g. DGN = VRML) and its connection to other types of data. After
that we will be seeking a convenient technical solution based on network technologies (Internet) and an appropriate layout of data
(database). The project is carried out in close co-operation with the administration of Cesky Krumlov castle and some other partners
(e.g. Computer Graphic Group, CTU in Prague). This stage of the project will finish in the middle of next year (6/2005).
A functional prototype and information acquired by its testing will become the basis for the final proposal of a complex information
system of a historical site. The final proposal and an appropriate technology will be the results of the project. The realisation of a
complex spatial information system is expected to follow afterwards. The results would be exploitable for both administrations of
sites and for organisations working in the area of presentation of historical sites and creation of multimedia.
1. INTRODUCTION
Progress in information technologies together with the
development of methods of geodetic and photogrammetric
documentation brings up new possibilities of creation and usage
of spatial models of historical sites and buildings. This paper is
focused on presentation of the current state of the "Live
Theatre" project. The main goal of the project is the proposal
and realisation of a functional prototype of a spatial information
system of a particular historical site. Theoretical foundations of
the project were established by the author's dissertation. The
dissertation [Hodac 2002] was focused on seeking possible
ways from gathering spatial documentation to creation of a
spatial information system (IS).
1.1 Background of the project
The theme of information processing is more important today
than it was a few years ago. Progress in information
technologies and computer technologies is accelerating.
Information systems are gradually used in arcas, which were up
to now a little bit aside of the main interest. Cultural heritage is
one of such areas in our country. Apart from the main content of
information, localisation and time aspects are getting very
important today. There comes a period of movement from IS
working with planar data to IS working with space and time.
Another movement is connected with the development of
network technologies. Information systems are moving from
separated offices to the net and Internet. Work with spatial data
is closely connected with such science as virtual reality.
The cultural heritage area is now more important also because
of its relations to tourist industry. Historical sites, together with
nature, belong to the most popular targets both in the Czech
Republic (CZ) and abroad. This is again connected with
information. If a historical site would like to attract potential
visitors, it is necessary to present the site. A perspective way is
presentation on the Internet. In this context we can hear terms as
virtual tourism, virtual sightseeing and virtual monument or
site. The importance of spatial data in this area is slowly
growing.
The Laboratory of photogrammetry at the Department of
Mapping and Cartography co-operates with the Administration
of Cesky Krumlov castle and the Foundation of Baroque
Theatre on a project of creation of metrical documentation of
the castles baroque theatre at Cesky Krumlov. This co-
operation has been running since 1996, see [Hodac 2001]. The
theatre is primarily documented by the students of geodesy and
cartography in their theses. The aim of the first phase of the
project is to create new metrical documentation of the theatre in
a form of a spatial model. In the second phase, the spatial model
will become a core of a spatial information system.
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