This study adopts a holistic approach to documenting, analysing, and preserving the & Ccedil;elbira Grape Processing Area, a significant part of Mardin's heritage sites. The methodology of the study consists of four stages of literature review, fieldwork, flow analysis, and evaluation of the data obtained. A three-dimensional digital model of an area of approximately 1700 m2 was produced using an iPad Pro LiDAR sensor, and comparative measurements taken on site achieved an accuracy level of less than 1 cm. The findings of the study revealed that the grape processing site was developed with a sophisticated engineering approach to adapt to the slope and terrain conditions. However, today, the neglected and unconserved condition of the channels, distilleries, and cisterns of the & Ccedil;elbira indicates that the heritage is under the threat of extinction. The study emphasises that digital technologies are powerful tools for documenting, preserving, and analysing historical buildings.
In the context of the macro theme of the conservation and exhibition of digital heritage - certified by the 2003 UNESCO Charter -, and specifically of the interdisciplinary studies on the shaping of the Virtual Museum idea - from the historic Virtual Museum commissioned by the Guggenheim Foundation in '99 to Asymptote studio, up to Saul Kim's recent Flappy Box -, we present three new parametric spaces shaped by AI that extend the Virtual Museum of Ephemeral Architecture (VMEA) project that we initiated ten years ago. The research experiments with the integrated use of different representation technocultures, testing an elaborative process that combines AI (from idea to code) with parametric modeling, with the aim of shaping habitable digital spatialities in the Virtual Museum. The essay illustrates the working method tested to shape the geometry of three new exhibition spaces of the VMEA: Randomisation; Helicoidal Structure; Strange Attractor.
The replication of ancient paintings involves significant challenges, especially when considering that modern viewing conditions differ greatly from their original settings. This contribution presents the results of a digital acquisition campaign focusing on three historically significant paintings: two works by Ludovico Mazzolino from Le Gallerie degli Uffizi and Titian's "Portrait of Alfonso I d'Este" from Palazzo Pitti in Florence. As part of the DarkScape Experience (DSE) research project, this work aims to digitally reconstruct the paintings to relocate them in a virtual representation of their context at Villa d'Este, in Tivoli, to simulate original viewing conditions regarding daytime and nighttime illumination as documented in historical sources. The integrated process presented produced three-dimensional models replicating the visual aspects, the characteristics, and the materials of the real artworks, through multilayered textures and 3D meshes including both painted wood panels or canvases and their frames.
In the current context of digital transformation, the MATHE method proposes a phygital strategy for the conservation, documentation and dissemination of architectural heritage. Tested on the Optical Telegraph Line between Madrid and Valencia, this integrated system combines Web-GIS, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in a coherent heritage valorisation proposal. The MATHE-GIS platform organises georeferenced and alphanumeric data in an accessible, open format, while MATHE-AR and MATHE-VR tools extend the heritage experience beyond physical boundaries. These technologies provide a hybrid, both on-site and off-site, experience that enhances users' understanding of cultural assets. It concludes that virtualisation, far from replacing the heritage object, constitutes a strategic avenue for its study, interpretation and dissemination, enabling more democratic, participatory and sustainable access.
Digital technologies can significantly support flood risk assessment and mitigation in Historic Urban Built Environments (HUBEs). Simulation tools can manage such complex disaster scenarios and provide useful analysis on human behaviors and evacuation strategies impact, especially when structural measures fail. This study proposes a multi-step and multi-scale tool, integrating hydrodynamic and evacuation simulations in flood-prone HUBEs, to (1) evaluate how excluding or including human behavior affect risk levels, and then (2) how emergency plan can be optimized, by testing different route choice strategies, to improve human safety. The tool combines microscopic and macroscopic models and is applied to typological HUBEs. Final comparisons with a consolidated model contribute to the tool verification, highlighting how the tool (and its single simulation components) can support decision makers in the analysis of multiple scenario and strategies conditions.
This artistic research article documents the end-to-end production of a fixed-binaural remix of "Mantra" by Estados Alterados. We designed a reproducible, hybrid workflow-dummy-head re-amping, HRTF-based spatial synthesis, and conventional multitrack mixing-to translate narrative goals (Reality <-> Beyond) into perceptible spatial events for headphone listening. Materials included original stems, time-charts and spatial diagrams; decisions emphasized axial anchors with selective periphery, preserving timbral identity while enhancing externalization and presence. Validation covered multi-headphone listening, stereo fold-down checks and streaming-target mastering. Deliverables comprise the published track and a browserbased interactive interface that supports knowledge transfer between academia and industry; computational mood/timbre profiling with Essentia/MusiCNN complements the qualitative analysis.
The 'Gens' project developed as part of a research project carried out by the University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' and the MANN Archaeological Museum, aimed at investigating fruition and storytelling strategies for experience design. The use of digital technologies, in particular AI, has led to the definition of processes for the construction of imagery and historical scenarios, combining iconographic testimonies and contemporary narratives, aimed at the emotional involvement and improved accessibility of cultural content. By integrating AI-driven media with traditional museum displays, GENS bridges the gap between classical artifacts and contemporary storytelling, offering a new paradigm for interactive and immersive heritage interpretation.
This study investigates the spatial distribution of archaeological sites in the Lalmai-Mainamati region of Bangladesh, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, using Least-Cost Path Analysis (LCP) within a GIS framework. Lalmai-Mainamati- identified with the ancient city of Devaparvata-flourished as a Buddhist cultural and economic centre under the Deva, Khadga, and Chandra kingdoms. Despite its extensive heritage, no previous research has systematically examined site distribution in the area. We implement LCP using slope, palaeochannels, water bodies, and Tobler's hiking function to model ancient mobility. The results indicate that many sites and structures lie within approximately 15 minutes' walking time of one another along least-cost routes, while others are more dispersed; we also assess the potential roles of riverine corridors and terrestrial paths. Overall, the study offers a replicable framework for spatial analysis in South Asian archaeology, particularly in Bangladesh.
This research analyses an interdisciplinary model to enhance Minor Historical Heritage by integrating historical, architectural and digital skills. Through archival analysis, the study shows how participatory methodologies and immersive technologies can promote the protection of marginalised cultural heritage. The adoption of interactive strategies, including gamification, reveals significant potential in community engagement and dialogue between past and present, especially in contexts such as Pavia's historical heritage, which would benefit from this approach. The results highlight an approach that can be replicated in other urban contexts, outlining a path of preservation and interpretation that consolidates the relationship between research, innovation and cultural awareness.
Among recent innovations in cultural heritage digitalization, Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) is particularly relevant for museums, where managing both the "container" - a historic building or site - and its "contents" is essential. These spaces, often repurposed from their original functions, are shaped by how visitors interact with them over time. This study explores the integration of HBIM with IoT systems to collect, visualize, and analyze real-time sensor data within a unified digital platform. A prototype was developed and tested in the former convent of Santa Maria della Pace in Rome. The future impact of the research will contribute to create a "smart" museum by improving building management, monitoring environmental conditions, and supporting visitor navigation through exhibition spaces. This user-centered approach, based on observed preferences, enhances the visitor experience, promotes accessibility, and increases the museum's cultural and social impact.
For decades, setting up a server to host a multimedia database of cultural heritage data essentially consisted of installing the necessary software (primarily a web server and database) on a computer connected to the Internet and accessible from any desired node. Since the emergence of virtualization techniques, demands for efficiency, portability, cost-effectiveness, security, and practicality have progressively changed the tasks of service administrators and the knowledge required to fulfill them. This article aims to provide the reader with an update on the state of the art in setting up network services and software distributions, starting from the success of tools like Docker to the newest developments of OSTree, Bootc, and ComposeFS. It is also possible to extend this software management approach to the multimedia content itself to improve storage and transfer efficiency, collaboration among researchers, and the reproducibility of studies by leveraging technologies such as SPARQL, RDF and OCFL to structure content.
Generative AI is transforming architectural design, enabling everything from text-based concept generation to sketch animation and hyper-realistic renderings. This study examines whether Gen AI can go beyond visual inspiration to actually generate viable architectural designs. Twenty-one tools were tested using three input types, text prompts, sketches, and 3D models, across specific case studies. A total of 25 renderings were produced and analyzed. The evaluation focused on how well the outputs aligned with the inputs, as well as their structural and functional plausibility. Tools were assessed for their creative flexibility, fidelity to prompts, and architectural coherence. Findings reveal both the potential and current limitations of Gen AI in architectural practice.
This article concerns some theoretical discussions about storytelling and persuasive narration as a premise for the philological reconstructive study of an archaeological area. The forms of communication discussed here create emotions by interacting with human feelings, sharing stories that convey knowledge in a simple yet effective manner. The use of passive media and interactive technologies with minimal usability requirements encourages broad user engagement, pro-moting cross-disciplinary paths and unexpected connections. For this reason, this mode of cultural transmission represents the most effective way to engage a broader audience. In the second part of this discussion, some results from a recent project at the archaeological site of Manduria (TA) are presented, where, alongside the use of new digital languages to support storytelling, the methods of philological reconstruction and emotional storytelling are highlighted.
This article presents the development and initial pilot implementation of a methodological framework adapted to assess the impact of the virtual exhibition 'The Library of the Lady of Elche' [La Biblioteca de la Dama de Elche]. By combining a virtual exhibition creation model with the guidelines of the Europeana Impact Playbook, the proposed framework structures the definition of objectives, stakeholders, impact types and value lenses with specific evaluation indicators. The proposal addresses three dimensions of impact while prioritising the assessment of online reach through data from the exhibition's digital dissemination strategies. The measurement process is based on web traffic, social media activity, academic citations and participation in both scholarly and public outreach events, demonstrating the effectiveness of designing digital cultural projects with an impact-oriented approach within the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) sector.
With Volume 15 (2025), the international scientific journal SCIRES-IT-SCIentific RESearch and Information Technology, a diamond open access and eco-sustainable publication since its foundation (2011), celebrated its fifteenth anniversary and achieved further national and international scientific milestones. In this Editorial, we briefly revisit some key stages of the journal's journey and its prestigious international scientific achievements.
Virtual reality offers an innovative way to explore nature and succeeds in generating a strong sense of presence in simulated environments and intense emotions such as the sublime. The use of VR360 applied to natural landscapes allows for immersive experiences that bring people closer to nature, highlight its fragility, and stimulate new forms of ecological awareness. In an era marked by the biodiversity crisis, virtual reality positions itself as an ally for conservation, fostering environmental education and emotional engagement. The project "The Spectacle of Nature in VR and the Sense of the Sublime" unites virtual reality, biodiversity, and slow tourism in the Parks of Salento. Through VR360 reconstructions of priority habitats and coastal landscapes, the visitor is "teleported" into natural scenarios that would otherwise be difficult to access. This immersive experience reduces the impact of travel and promotes more sustainable and respectful tourism. VR360 is configured as a device capable of combining the aesthetic of the sublime, technological innovation, and the protection of biodiversity.
Climate change and biodiversity loss are two of the most pressing challenges of recent decades. While the former has received significant attention from both the scientific community and the public, the latter often remains in the background. Nevertheless, the two phenomena are deeply interconnected, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), through machine learning and predictive modeling, provides valuable means to help address some of the global challenges they present. In particular, AI can be employed to predict the risks and impacts associated with climate change, providing information that directly contributes to a better understanding of biodiversity dynamics and vulnerabilities. In this work, we present an application of a machine learning method, namely the clustering of compound events, to demonstrate how the joint analysis of two or more interacting factors can provide a more comprehensive understanding of socio-environmental phenomena.
This study presents numerical simulations on the downstream discharge of a desalination plant planned within a protected marina, in an area facing increasing demand for freshwater. The simulations assess potential impacts on the coastal marine ecosystem, supporting the design of environmentally sustainable solutions. The proposed plant adopts innovative techniques and a strategy aimed at minimizing ecological impact, ensuring a balance between local water needs and environmental protection. The numerical approach enables the analysis of different dispersion and mitigation scenarios, promoting the sustainable integration of the plant into the coastal setting. The results show that, although the response of biological communities is difficult to predict, the mixing of brines with existing freshwater discharge is expected to cause minimal salinity variations, lower than in the current situation, thus potentially limiting salinity-related effects on the marine ecosystem. Therefore, the project highlights the importance of green desalination solutions, based on renewable energy and efficient technologies, as a concrete response to water scarcity. This approach represents a sustainable management model that combines water security with marine ecosystem conservation.
Water is a strategic resource increasingly threatened by climate change, overexploitation, and demographic pressure. Acquedotto Pugliese, one of Europe's largest water and sanitation utilities, manages more than 33,000 km of pipes and serves over four million people in Southern Italy. AQP's operations are essential for maintaining a reliable water supply and for protecting ecosystems and biodiversity. This paper examines a range of innovative strategies, including advanced wastewater treatment, water reuse, desalination projects, and digital innovations in leak detection and network monitoring. Case studies, such as the Melendugno constructed wetland system, demonstrate that nature-based solutions may enhance biodiversity and support sustainable water management. The findings indicate that technological innovation and environmental restoration can jointly safeguard water resources for future generations.
Biodiversity and Landscape are different but closely related concepts and values. Biodiversity focuses on the variety of life forms, while Landscape considers the combination of natural and cultural elements that characterise a geographical area. Both are important for the conservation and a sustainable management of ecosystems and territories. The protection of Biodiversity and Landscape requires concrete and coordinated actions. For several years now Italia Nostra Sud Salento has been committed in actions, including legal ones, to protect Biodiversity, the Landscape, the socio-economic environment, the cultural, historical and artistic heritage in general, and the cultural identity of Salento in particular.
