"Revolutionizing Urban Planning: Exploring the Synergy of BIM-GIS, Metaverse (VR & AR), and Real-World Applications to Urban Heritage Buildings in Beirut's Rmeil and Medawar Clusters".

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Beirut Arab University

2 Alexanderia University

3 ALEXANDRIA UNIVERSITY AND BEIRUT ARAB UNIVERSITY

Abstract

In recent years, the development of digital technologies has become crucial in the field of urban heritage management. This article presents a new approach that counts on modern technology in cultural heritage protection since that digital technologies can be used effectively in support of planning for heritage conservation and promoting heritage beyond its materiality, bearing in mind the limitations in terms of authenticity. The aim of this article is to explore the research interfaces, the knowledge structure, and the potential use of this integration to get to the best practices in urban heritage sustainability. I argue that integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) within the emerging Metaverse can provide a powerful tool for virtual representation and analysis of the built environment, thus allowing users to explore and learn more about them and ensuring compatibility and seamless interaction between the virtual environment and real-world urban heritage sites. The explored case studies are the Digital Twin of Florence, Virtual Singapore, and HBIM-VIRTUAL 3D of Rachid Karami Cultural Center in Tripoli, this research paper utilizes a BIM-GIS model integrated with the Metaverse (VR & AR) to apply it to several heritage buildings in Beirut, specifically in the Rmeil and Medawar clusters affected by the 2020’s POB Lebanon The article concludes that integrating digital technologies through the Metaverse (VR & AR) can significantly contribute to urban heritage management, promoting sustainability beyond conservation by fostering education, economic growth, industry development, and infrastructure enhancement through digital technology.

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