Geo Digital Documentation(GDD) for Arab and Islamic Heritage Preservation

Abstract The need for the digital documentation of Arab/ Islamic architecture and historical buildings, particularly mosques, churches, tombs and other heritage sites, is obvious. The recent upheaval in the Arab world, particularly in Syria, has led to the destruction of most treasured old Syrian cities such as Homs, Aleppo, Damascus as well as other historic towns and heritage sites. Even more recently in Iraq, ISIL has destroyed and razed to the ground many historic mosques, tombs and churches, along with other heritage sites belonging the Assyrian era of Iraqi history, under the banner of religious ideology. There is a pressing need for this digital documentation of the existing heritage before even more history is wiped out of existence. Such documentation will preserve the full and accurate details of these sites and buildings. These records may then be used for the efficient maintenance and preservation of these important historic buildings. More importantly, this digital documentation in addition to other historic data can be used for the full reconstruction of the heritage building/site or artefacts in the case of harm due to manmade causes, fire or natural disaster. This paper will provide a review of modern up-to-date surveying technology and its availability and suitability, and the finance involved for the urgent digital documentations of the Arab/Islamic heritage and historical buildings, and recommend suitable technologies. These include air borne and terrestrial laser technology, Digital Photogrammetry, and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in addition to the traditional surveying methods. Furthermore, the paper will also explore and evaluate the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Building Information Modelling for the storage, processing management, and various applications including heritage preservation and the reconstruction of historic buildings from the collected digital documentation.