Digital Innovation for the Documentation, Management, and Fruition of Cultural Heritage

1. Introduction

Recent years have been characterised by a profound transformation in the field of Cultural Heritage (CH), shaped by interdisciplinary methodologies, digital innovation and the demand for more inclusive, sustainable management approaches [1,2,3,4]. When historically built heritage is subject to increasing threats due to environmental, socio-economic, and time-induced pressures, the need to deploy robust, scalable, and semantically rich digital models has become increasingly evident [5].

One of the main contributions regarding this transformation is represented by the spread of Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) that opened new challenges for standardisation and parametrisation of historic architectural elements [6,7,8]. At the same time, the integration of artificial intelligence technologies for CH management represents a recent growing contribution in 3D digitisation processes [9,10,11]. Furthermore, the diffusion of multiscale 3D virtual web navigation platforms [12] offered an interesting contribution for the online fruition of monumental complexes, improving their level of accessibility [13,14,15].

This Special Issue of Heritage brings together a set of contributions in 3D digitisation for conservation and fruition purposes that highlights the evolving relationship between technology and heritage. Research on emerging AI applications and HBIM, integration of web navigation systems, standards such as IndoorGML, and Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) focuses on technical progress and a deeper conceptual study in how we understand, represent, and manage cultural heritage.

What emerges is very far from model-centric closed approaches toward developing open, interoperable, participative and user-oriented information systems. These systems are no longer limited to the geometric representation of the physical aspects of monuments and sites but also seek to incorporate precious semantic information regarding intangible values, behavioural patterns, conservation history, and stakeholder interactions. This editorial survey contextualises these contributions in the wide, vast realm of digital heritage, with a particular focus on current innovations and future scenarios and perspectives that can be shaped.

2. Towards New Strategies for Heritage Management

The articles presented in this Special Issue represent an exhaustive representation of current research in CH digitisation, with a specific focus on the development and application of Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM), 3D web fruition, semantic data integration, and digital twins. Collectively, these contributions start with technical applications going towards strategic, conceptual, and collaborative frameworks for long-term heritage management.

2.1. AI-Driven 3D Photogrammetric Reconstruction

A deep learning-based application was employed to test the automated generation of 3D objects from images [16]. This work explores the potential of Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) technology, which employs volume rendering based on Multi-Layer Perceptron scene representation. It employs a fully connected deep learning network based on 5D coordinates representing the spatial location and the viewing direction. The NeRF algorithm was experimented with using Instant-NGP open-source software for the automated generation of photogrammetric 3D models. The results were compared with established tools such as Agisoft Metashape (proprietary software) and COLMAP (open-source software). In the end, the study describes a critical benchmark of AI-based methodologies in heritage documentation, highlighting both promise and current limitations regarding geometric reliability and scale precision.

2.2. HBIM Methodologies and Implementation Challenges

This Special Issue encloses some works on HBIM that deal with the representation of geometric information, but above all on the structure of semantic content related to the asset and on its structured information management [17,18,19,20]. In [17], a methodological workflow for constructing a stratigraphic HBIM model of a Portuguese castle is presented, incorporating different types of datasets such as historical documentation extrapolated from old repositories, survey data from photogrammetric reconstruction, and architectural analysis based on technical inspections. This work illustrates a practical path focused on the semantic enrichment in HBIM methodology to generate a complete stratigraphic structure of the historical monument, even in early-stage digital documentation processes.

In [18,19] the authors’ contribution is organised in a two-part series that introduces a systems thinking framework for the development of HBIM with a particular focus on the semantic structure. In Part 1, a Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is employed to analyse the “problematic situation” facing heritage stakeholders. In contrast, in Part 2, the end-user-driven requirements are defined through Systems Engineering (SE) processes, modelling purpose-driven system design. This research provides a first approach for standardised, user-responsive HBIM development. Even in the field of HBIM development, [20] shows an exhaustive review of the state of the art regarding the current state of HBIM implementation, with the evaluation of some key cases of study.

2.3. Multimodal Data Integration and Visualisation Platforms

Some contributions of the volume are focused on the development of virtual representation models of multiscale geospatial data regarding the documentation of historic CH sites [21,22,23,24]. These applications represent interesting and valid solutions for improving accessibility to monumental complexes in terms of 3D virtual navigation of geometric and semantic CH contents. In [21], a web-based application for managing and disseminating 3D and 2D CH assets is studied. Starting from the concept of HBIM and digital twin, the platform supports visualisation of multimodal imaging data (thermal, photogrammetric, and vector). The study introduces a practical approach to the online dissemination of high-resolution diagnostic data ready to be integrated into more complex digital twin environments and HBIM workflows in future scenarios.

The work presented in [22] illustrates a workflow aimed at the site’s digital documentation and 3D web navigation. The path considers a storytelling-driven framework that combines photogrammetry, laser scanning, and open-source web platforms based on WebGL technology to construct an immersive, interactive experience of the Farnese Castle in Piacenza (Italy). This hybrid approach merges rigorous documentation with narrative accessibility, aligning with humanities.

Similar technologies for the 3D web fruition are adopted in [23], where a WebGL-based visualisation platform based on open-source technology is used to enable users to experience the 3D virtual fruition on the web of the hypogeum of Crispia Salvia in Marsala (Italy). The platform facilitates remote, immersive exploration of fragile underground cultural sites characterised by limited accessibility, expanding public engagement and ensuring preservation to avoid physical accessibility in critical contexts.

The experimentation of virtual multiscale management based on the integration of GIS-HBIM models is instead adopted in [24] for the historic centre of Popoli Terme (Italy). The work presents a multiscale approach that combines the levels of detail typical of GIS related to geometric and semantic representation with the HBIM standard based on Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs). The adopted strategy offers an operational framework for managing heritage environments on the urban scale and supports data-informed policy and planning.

2.4. Semantic Modelling and Intangible Heritage

In [25], an original and innovative approach is studied to integrate intangible heritage into HBIM environments, with a specific emphasis on ritual movements and bodily behaviours. Focusing on the Di-Qiang culture in the Tibetan-Yi Corridor (China), the authors introduce a “ritual encoding” system within digital spaces using symbolic parametric geometries inside the BIM environment. This study highlights the importance of merging physical space with cultural practice and proposes new strategies for documenting ephemeral knowledge within static heritage models.

2.5. Interoperability, Standards, and Heritage Digital Twins

A landmark study on the digital modelling of the Pitti Palace in Florence (Italy) is presented in [26], experimenting with a new tailored data model to integrate different kinds of information for the preservation and management of complex sites. This work introduces the “Pitti Data Model”, which integrates and incorporates spatial, material, functional, and historical data within an information structure mapped to international standards such as INSPIRE, IndoorGML and CityGML. It allows the classification of spaces with the adoption of a hierarchical approach by linking geometric, semantic, and administrative information through controlled vocabularies (e.g., Getty Art and Architecture Thesaurus) and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. In this way, the model sets a new standard for semantic interoperability aimed at sustainable usability and accessibility to heritage data and contributes meaningfully to the development of heritage digital twins (HDTs).

3. Reflections and Open Scenarios

The research in this Special Issue points toward a maturing field in which technological advancement is increasingly balanced with user-oriented design and sustainable usability. Several paths of research for future exploration emerge from the papers:

• From Models to Ecosystems: There is a notable shift from the production of static 3D models to the development of dynamic, interoperable systems—true digital ecosystems capable of supporting CH sites with a holistic approach (heritage documentation, monitoring, conservation, and communication simultaneously) [17]. The “Pitti Data Model”, for instance [26], illustrates how custom information frameworks can be semantically aligned with international standards (IndoorGML, CityGML), offering strategies that can be replicable for complex heritage sites.
• Systems Thinking and Strategic Planning: As detailed in the two-part series by [18,19], the contributions introduce a new methodological approach that has long been missing in heritage digitisation. The user needs were considered as the base of the system requirements, avoiding approaches based on technology as an end in itself and opening new perspectives for structured and sustainable digital heritage infrastructures.
• Multiscale and Multivectorial Integration: Across the contributions, it is possible to observe the increasing capacity to operate across spatial and temporal scales—from single elements to entire historic centres—while integrating several data types such as materials, rituals, spatial semantics, and environmental metrics [21,22,23,24]. The integration of different kinds of data supports not only comprehensive documentation but also spatial analysis, risk assessment, and conservation planning.
• Enriching Models with Intangible Heritage: In [25], the potential of digital tools goes beyond materiality, encoding cultural behaviours and rituals into HBIM environments. This approach goes towards the interpretive and experiential scope of heritage models and reinforces the link between space and meaning.
• Toward FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) principles, open-source solutions, and participatory data: A growing emphasis on interoperability, controlled vocabularies, the use of open-source technologies, and adherence to the FAIR principles signals a positive trend toward collaborative, sustainable, and reusable digital heritage resources. These principles are necessary to enable long-term knowledge transfer, scholarly validation, and community participation.

As heritage professionals and specialists continue to manage increasingly complex challenges, the methodologies and frameworks explored in this Special Issue provide technical solutions and new conceptual strategies for managing CH sites. Future perspectives will consider CH as a living, interconnected system of digitisation that requires not only high-fidelity 3D digitisation but also thoughtful design, open collaboration, and sustained theoretical reflection.

4. Conclusions

We express our heartfelt gratitude to all the authors who contributed with their innovative research and thoughtful perspectives in this Special Issue. The work proposed by the authors represents the forefront of digital heritage scholarship. It has enriched the collective understanding of how technology can enhance CH’s documentation, fruition, interpretation, and management.

We are also deeply thankful to the reviewers for their meticulous evaluations and constructive feedback, which have ensured this collection’s academic rigour and quality. Their expertise and generosity with their time were precious to the editorial process.

Our sincere appreciation extends to the editorial team at Heritage, whose professionalism, guidance, and support were instrumental in the successful coordination and publication of this Special Issue.

Finally, we acknowledge the institutions, research teams, and funding bodies that have supported the various studies included in this Special Issue. Their ongoing commitment to CH valorisation and digital innovation is fundamental to the advancement of digital innovation and essential to the advancement of this field.