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Title
New perspectives to save cultural heritage
Author
Altan, M. Orhan

Cl PA 2003 XIX th International Symposium, 30 September - 04 October, 2003, Antalya, Turkey
the entire body), requiring non-contact and reliable surface
measurement in near real time, and in ergonomic design.
Having reviewed the main 3D digitisation methods, it can be
said that the extent to which these are successfully used
depends on the nature and size of the object and its applications,
the intended output format, the amount of automation possible,
and the budget available to the project. The selection of a
suitable method is crucial given that a lot of methods lack
automation and require considerable 3D modelling, therefore
becoming costly and difficult to manage.
In the case of 3D urban modelling, the generation of a Digital
Urban Model (DUM), which is composed of Digital Building
Models (DBM) and sometimes, a Digital Terrain Model
(DTM), combined with Photogrammetric data should lead to
the creation of realistic 3D city models. Nonetheless, the way
by which this is achieved varies a lot and is highly influenced
by the resources available to the project. Software developers
have been trying to create tools that enable the automatic
generation of 3D city models. In any case, a number of methods
and different data are used in order to achieve optimum results.
In the case of the CAD Center Corporation in Tokyo, a
combination of 2D digital map, aerial images, and laser profiler
data were used in order to generate an impressive and expensive
3D city model of Tokyo. Software called MapCube was used to
create the 3D model. (Takase, Y., 2003)
4. THE CHALLENGE
The development of 2D GIS technology and its successful
application in many fields primarily for 2D analyses, has not
given the same relevance to 3D urban information. Only
recently, with the development of many packages that deal with
3D city modelling and Virtual Reality applications, GIS
platforms started considering 3D builders and analysts as part of
the package. However, these packages with all their added
extensions are still expensive for low budget educational
projects.
Digital cities can be very useful in determining future
development and in assessing their overall effect on the city’s
skyline and urban patterns. Simulations can be carried out
through Electronic Sketching, Spatial Interaction, and Virtual
Reality. (Dokonal, W. & Martens, B., 2001:419)
As pointed out earlier, A1 Bastakia is the only significant
historic area in Dubai, which reflects the region’s architectural
heritage and local culture. This valuable heritage displays rich
architectural and urban qualities, which reflect the users’ search
for comfort in response to a harsh climate, and to the need to
preserve privacy by respecting local traditions. This meant that
streets are very narrow and leading to dead-end routes as it is
customary in many Arab-Islamic Medinas. The urban and
architectural richness of this area encouraged the creation of a
3D digital model that can be used for educational purposes at
the department of Architectural Engineering of the UAE
University.
4.1 The Method
3D model was created based on 2D mapping information
provided by Dubai Municipality, in addition to scanned plans
from various documents. The area was also recorded on video
in order to obtain information regarding heights of buildings
and other important details. Digital photos were also available
to complement information emerging from the video recording.
A high-resolution satellite image of the area acquired in 2002
was used in order update the site plan and record any missing
information. (Fig. 1 above)
The texture application was difficult due to two reasons: a) the
fact that buildings are very close to each other, and b) most
buildings are undergoing restoration, and as a result there are a
lots of scaffoldings erected. These factors complicated the
recording of orthophotos for photogrammetric analysis and
production of building textures.
Fig. 4: A Plan view of A1 Bastakia 3D Model.
4.2 The Result
The model was created in AutoCAD using 2D digital plan of
the area, and plans of selected houses. Further information was
available as hard copies such as sections and elevations. The
area that was emphasised is the one becoming the main market
zone, which is in the very centre of the neighbourhood. Dubai
Municipality provided digital drawings of the renovated houses
located in this area.
Once completed, the model was exported to 3D Studio Max for
rendering and animation, and texture application. Obviously,
more details can be added to the model, such as decorations,
balconies, carvings and so on. But unfortunately, the lack of
resources and time did not allow the team to move to that level
of detail. The purpose of the project was to examine what
technology is available in order to easily and cheaply reproduce
a sample of a historic urban environment.
Clearly this is feasible since the area is relatively small,
however in order to create a 3D model of the whole city an
efficient recording method involving for example airborne laser
scanning will be necessary. This method was successfully
applied in the case of Tokyo by CAD Center. (Takase, Y.,
2003)
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