Topic Editors

Department of Architecture and Design, Politecnico di Torino, Viale Mattioli 39, 10125 Turin, Italy
Department of Architecture and Design (DAD), Politecnico di Torino, Viale Mattioli 39, 10126 Torino, Italy
ETH Zürich, Management Forstlicher Ressourcen, CHN K 75, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland

3D Documentation of Natural and Cultural Heritage

Abstract submission deadline
1 September 2025
Manuscript submission deadline
1 December 2025
Viewed by
3410

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The definition of tangible cultural heritage is wide and includes, but is not limited to, landscapes, built heritage, cities, territories, archaeological sites, minor historical centres, urban environments, cities, suburbs, villages, and hamlets (Article 1 of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention). It is widely accepted that the accurate spatial documentation (from 3D integrated metric surveys or from harmonised geospatial datasets) of these assets is crucial for preservation, restoration, historical analysis, revitalisation, and various other applications. Moreover, such 3D documentation could help, with its high accuracy, highly detailed datasets, or multiscale geodatabases, in planning processing involving different stakeholders, citizens, and local communities.

The proposed Topic will deal with advanced spatial documentation techniques, both 2D and 3D, leveraging contemporary geomatics technologies, GeoAI, 3D city models, and Digital Twins. Several specific documentation techniques can be used to achieve accurate and complete documentation of CH including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) for high-resolution aerial data acquisition using different sensors (e.g., RGB, thermal, multispectral data) and techniques (e.g., aerial imagery and photogrammetry with the aim to create detailed 2D products and 3D models);
  • Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and MMS (Mobile Mapping System) generating 3D point clouds with different degrees of accuracy and levels of detail;
  • Creation and publication of geodatabase from cartographic dataset of national geoportals (standards compliant with geographic information standards);
  • GeoAI approaches that use artificial intelligence to analyse, classify, and interpret geospatial data for cultural heritage applications;
  •  Novel technology for the metric documentation of CH.

For the application of these geomatics techniques to CH documentation, the following specific aims are considered in this Topic:

  • Provide precise and detailed 2D and 3D metric documentation (by means of geomatics techniques acquisitions and approaches) of cultural heritage assets;
  • Enable various analyses through the application of modern geomatics techniques and GeoAI;
  • Facilitate the creation and use of Digital Twins for cultural heritage sites;
  • Support diverse applications, including risk assessment, restoration planning, and heritage management;
  • Use the documentation to deal with possible scenarios like risk management, urban planning, sustainable plans, regulatory plans, restoration actions, etc.

We are targeting contributions that achieve the following:

  • Present case studies demonstrating the successful application of 2D and 3D metric documentation techniques in cultural heritage;
  • Explore innovative methods and technologies for spatial documentation;
  • Discuss the integration of documentation data into various analytical and application frameworks;
  • Analyse the impact of advanced spatial documentation on risk assessment, restoration planning, and heritage management.

This Topic highlights the importance of advanced spatial documentation in cultural heritage, with the aim of supporting independent researchers, professionals, and national public and private entities in its management, conservation, study, and promotion. By integrating cutting-edge geomatics techniques, GeoAI, and Digital Twins, this research will provide new insights and methodologies for comprehensive documentation, facilitating the various applications crucial for preserving and managing cultural heritage.

Furthermore, the proposed Topic seeks to advance the understanding and application of the available documentation approaches for Cultural Heritage. By fostering interdisciplinary research and collaboration, this Topic also aims to contribute to the development of innovative solutions for the preservation and management of cultural heritage sites, ensuring their protection and appreciation for future generations.

Dr. Lorenzo Teppati Losè
Dr. Elisabetta Colucci
Dr. Arnadi Dhestaratri Murtiyoso
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • heritage management strategies
  • metric documentation techniques
  • digital twins
  • 3d city models
  • geoai applications
  • geomatics technologies
  • cultural heritage preservation
  • advanced spatial documentation

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Applied Sciences
applsci
2.5 5.5 2011 19.8 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Drones
drones
4.8 7.4 2017 20.1 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Geomatics
geomatics
2.8 5.1 2021 20 Days CHF 1000 Submit
Heritage
heritage
1.9 3.7 2018 18.6 Days CHF 1600 Submit
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
ijgi
2.8 7.2 2012 34.2 Days CHF 1900 Submit
Remote Sensing
remotesensing
4.1 8.6 2009 24.9 Days CHF 2700 Submit
Sensors
sensors
3.5 8.2 2001 19.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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42 pages, 2165 KiB  
Review
A Systematic Literature Review to Assist in Defining New Guidelines and Practical Handbooks for the Documentation of Built Heritage
by Lorenzo Teppati Losè and Fulvio Rinaudo
Heritage 2025, 8(7), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070249 - 25 Jun 2025
Viewed by 516
Abstract
The documentation of cultural heritage, particularly built heritage, represents a critical component in ensuring its preservation, sustainable management, and effective transmission to future generations. As the field increasingly undergoes a digital transformation, there is a growing need for structured, standardised approaches that can [...] Read more.
The documentation of cultural heritage, particularly built heritage, represents a critical component in ensuring its preservation, sustainable management, and effective transmission to future generations. As the field increasingly undergoes a digital transformation, there is a growing need for structured, standardised approaches that can guide professionals and stakeholders through the complexities of documentation practices. Despite the availability of numerous standards and charters, a clear synthesis of consolidated methodologies and recent technological shifts remains limited. This study addresses this gap by conducting a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to assess current documentation practices. The research is part of a larger initiative funded by the FSE REACT-EU programme under the Italian PON Ricerca e Innovazione 2014–2020, specifically aiming to support public and private stakeholders in developing practical documentation strategies. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework, over 266 publications were analysed to reconstruct the state of the art. The findings confirm widely adopted practices among research groups while also highlighting emerging trends driven by technological advancements in geomatics. These insights will contribute to the formulation of practical guidelines to support operators in the field and reinforce the integration of innovative tools in Cultural Heritage documentation workflows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic 3D Documentation of Natural and Cultural Heritage)
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14 pages, 5528 KiB  
Article
From Google Earth Studio to Hologram: A Pipeline for Architectural Visualization
by Philippe Gentet, Tam Le Phuc Do, Jumamurod Farhod Ugli Aralov, Oybek Mirzaevich Narzulloev, Leehwan Hwang and Seunghyun Lee
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 6179; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15116179 - 30 May 2025
Viewed by 414
Abstract
High-resolution holographic visualization of built environments remains largely inaccessible due to the complexity and technical demands of traditional 3D data acquisition processes. This study proposes a workflow for producing high-quality full-color digital holographic stereograms of architectural landmarks using Google Earth Studio. By leveraging [...] Read more.
High-resolution holographic visualization of built environments remains largely inaccessible due to the complexity and technical demands of traditional 3D data acquisition processes. This study proposes a workflow for producing high-quality full-color digital holographic stereograms of architectural landmarks using Google Earth Studio. By leveraging photogrammetrically reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) city models and a controlled camera path, we generated perspective image sequences of two iconic monuments, that is, the Basílica de la Sagrada Família (Barcelona, Spain) and the Arc de Triomphe (Paris, France). A custom pipeline was implemented to compute keyframe coordinates, extract cinematic image sequences, and convert them into histogram data suitable for CHIMERA holographic printing. The holograms were recorded on Ultimate U04 silver halide plates and illuminated with RGB light-emitting diodes, yielding visually immersive reconstructions with strong parallax effects and color fidelity. This method circumvented the requirement for physical 3D scanning, thereby enabling scalable and cost-effective holography using publicly available 3D datasets. In conclusion, the findings indicate the potential of combining Earth Studio with digital holography for urban visualization, cultural heritage preservation, and educational displays. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic 3D Documentation of Natural and Cultural Heritage)
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31 pages, 24504 KiB  
Article
Archival Research, Underwater Optical Surveys, and 3D Modelling: Three Stages for Shaping the Wreck of the Steamship Bengala (Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Crotone, Italy)
by Salvatore Medaglia, Fabio Bruno, Ana Castelli, Matteo Collina, Barbara Davidde Petriaggi, Luca De Rosa, Julieta Frere, Fabrizio Fuoco, Guillermo Gutiérrez, Antonio Lagudi, Francesco Megna and Raffaele Peluso
Heritage 2025, 8(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8010013 - 29 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1478
Abstract
Bengala, a steamer that sank in 1889 near Capo Rizzuto, Italy, was a relatively new vessel for its time, with an unusually short 18-year service life, given that steamers of the period typically operated for 30 to 40 years. Despite its brief [...] Read more.
Bengala, a steamer that sank in 1889 near Capo Rizzuto, Italy, was a relatively new vessel for its time, with an unusually short 18-year service life, given that steamers of the period typically operated for 30 to 40 years. Despite its brief history, SS Bengala played a significant role in the development of Italy’s young merchant navy, undergoing multiple ownership changes and serving various Italian shipping companies. Employed mainly along the route to Southeast Asia, it transported Italian migrants overseas and also participated in troop raids during the Italian military expedition to Eritrea in 1887. Despite its historical significance, no iconographic material has yet been found to depict SS Bengala, and archival research conducted in Italy and England has not uncovered any naval plans, photographs, or drawings of the ship. To overcome this gap, the authors employed new technologies and historical information to create a virtual reconstruction. This research combined archival sources with underwater surveys, including a detailed 3D survey by divers and archaeologists. Archival research, including consultation of official documents, provided critical information on the ship’s dimensions, superstructure, rigging, materials, and construction methods. The 3D modelling of the ship’s external hull, based on precise geometric data from the wreck site, offers a first step towards virtual reconstruction. The modelling is grounded in photogrammetric surveying techniques, ensuring high accuracy in the reconstruction process. The model can be used in augmented reality (AR) applications to enhance underwater exploration, allowing divers to visualise the reconstructed ship in its original environment. Additionally, it supports museum exhibits, interactive visualisations, and educational games, making it a valuable resource for engaging the public with maritime history and archaeology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic 3D Documentation of Natural and Cultural Heritage)
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