Application of BIM/GIS-based Integrated Models on the Historic Urban Districts of Rosetta City, Egypt

Abstract

Integrated applications of BIM and GIS technologies have recently become essential in the smart city concept and urban development phases. They offer a digital representation for both architectural and urban scale to produce efficient governance model and sustain the quality of life and urban dynamics in cities. The vitality of historic urban districts has a great influence on sustainable urban development and urban regeneration approaches in cities. Egypt is rich with historic locations of which many are under threat from poor urban management and inadequate identity preservation especially in the Delta Region. The research aims to apply GIS digital tools and BIM models to the urban heritage context in Egypt to produce 3D integrated model for documentation, visualization and data analysis of the historic district in Rosetta City. The methodology process includes field survey, digital mapping and BIM models integration in GIS platforms using City Engine software. The process is discussed in terms of the accuracy of BIM-GIS data especially in Egypt, technical issues related to integration process and related urban policies in historic districts that could be supported by generated models. Digital maps are published using Google Maps and City Engine Web Scene online platforms.