Redefinition of Heritage Public Spaces Using PPGIS: The Case of Religious Complex in Old Cairo

Aya Elgobashi, and Yasmeen El Semary

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt

Abstract: Plenty of challenges all over the world are affecting the urban development of spaces in the cities, especially those of heritage sites; these urban spaces provide various ambiances that appeal to the senses. Although surrounded open spaces in heritage sites are full of rich, deep knowledge that plays an active role in the community perceptions, it has been recently neglected. A contribution is paid to the combination of digital technologies to help in preserving those spaces. Its integrated use could exponentially increase the effectiveness of conservation strategies of ancient buildings. GIS technology became a usual documentation tool for heritage managers, conservators, restorers, architects, archaeologists, painters, and all other categories of experts involved in cultural heritage activities. Consequently, the GIS has faced strong criticism as it is a tool for documentation without engaging in the public environment and the users’ needs; as a result, GIS cannot help in any enhancing process as it does not have any idea about the needs of the users. This paper analyses public uses efficiency in heritage public spaces in Cairene context using public participation geographic information system (PPGIS) methodology, as it gives attention to the term “user” to include the “public” incorporating the concept of “public participation” commonly used in planning. An online survey was set up, based on Google Maps, where respondents were asked to place and rate twenty-five items on an interactive map done by ARCGIS 10.4. These items were based on the criteria of placemaking to make those spaces full of creative ambiance to be more attractive and useful to the communities. Finally, 200 valid surveys have been collected and mapped 1500 opinions have been mapped. The Results of this research show that PPGIS is an effective tool in measuring the efficiency of those heritage public spaces, which may be valuable for future planning.

Key words: public spaces, heritage sites, cultural heritage PPGIS, preserving, digital heritage