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2021 | Book

The Critical Digital Model for the Study of Unbuilt Architecture Read chapter Read first chapter

Research and Education in Urban History in the Age of Digital Libraries

Second International Workshop, UHDL 2019, Dresden, Germany, October 10–11, 2019, Revised Selected Papers

Editors: Florian Niebling, Sander Münster, Heike Messemer

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Book Series : Communications in Computer and Information Science

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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About this book

This book constitutes selected and revised papers from the Second International Conference on Research and Education in Urban History in the Age of Digital Libraries, UHDL 2019, held in Dresden, Germany, in October 2021.
The 11 full papers presented in this volume were thoroughly reviewed and selected from 41 submissions. They are organized in the topical sections on ​theory, methods and systematization; visualization and presentation; machine learning and artificial intelligence.- policies, legislation and standards.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter

Theory, Methods and Systematization

Frontmatter
The Critical Digital Model for the Study of Unbuilt Architecture
Abstract
The virtual (re-)construction of architectural artefacts that never existed or were destroyed is a research topic that currently presents several problems. This study, starting from a state of the art briefly described, tries to answer various questions: describe what a Critical Digital Model (CDM) is and what qualities it must fulfil to be scientifically constructed, visualized and evaluated. The qualities described are the followings: constructive aspects, the geometric accuracy and qualification of the 3D models; Traceability, use of sources and documentation, and the quality of historical (re-)construction; Accessibility and interoperability, compatibility with the publication on platforms/repositories and Data model Exchange formats; Visualization, graphic output to communicate scientific content throughout the 3D models. In particular, the latter quality is thorough, and some case studies are presented. Among these case studies, particular attention is given to the diplomatic representation and to the representation of the degree of uncertainty of the historical reconstruction of the model.
Fabrizio I. Apollonio, Federico Fallavollita, Riccardo Foschi
Digital Reconstruction of the New Synagogue in Breslau: New Approaches to Object-Oriented Research
Abstract
Computer-aided 3D-modelling and visualisation are widely used in the examination and communication of historical architecture. In the case of a no-longer existing, demolished or seriously altered building, source-based, digital 3D-reconstruction represents an appropriate methodology of approach to this kind of research object. Digital models and their visualisation have, however, been criticised from the start for their lack of transparency as well as for the interoperability and sustainability of the research data.
The following article focuses on a new type of research methodology, presented by the digital 3D-reconstruction of the New Synagogue in Breslau (demolished 1938). In this case, the (Historic/Heritage) Building Information Modelling method adopted from contemporary building industry engages with concerns relating to a period building in a broad socio-cultural context as well as with the need of comprehensive documentation of the sources, their interpretation and a source-based hypothetical 3D-reconstruction in human- and machine-readable form.
Piotr Kuroczyński, Igor Bajena, Peggy Große, Karolina Jara, Kinga Wnęk
User Involvement for Application Development: Methods, Opportunities and Experiences from Three Different Academic Projects
Abstract
This paper introduces several tools and methods of user inquiry and usability testing by means of three academic software development projects. The projects have different objectives and user groups and address different issues. This makes it possible to show the diverse ways of involving users in the development of solutions and allows to evaluate which human-centered approach might be suitable for similar projects and problems.
Cindy Kröber, Katharina Hammel, Cornelia Schade, Nicole Filz, Leyla Dewitz

Visualization and Presentation

Frontmatter
Visual Representations in Digital 3D Modeling/Simulation for Architectural Heritage
Abstract
The text presents theoretical considerations of the character and role of visual representations in the process of virtual modeling for architectural heritage. These images of the past are analyzed in different contexts, including contemporary culture with its visual character and the modeling process itself, treated as a simulation of the past, with references to modeling and the simulation theory. Terminology aspects regarding the commonly used term “reconstruction” are discussed in the light of the character of virtual models of architectural heritage, their provenance and usage. The role of images as meta-representations of the possible modeled reality visual representations of models is also considered. The need for standards and best practices in the area of visual language and image production for architectural heritage is discussed. The emphasis is put on the methods to neutralize the seductive character of computer-based visualizations. Finally, a postulate for interactivity to be focused more on creating user-based scenarios based on research hypotheses rather than concentrated on the walkability of an immersive environment is formulated.
Krzysztof Koszewski
Toward an Automated Pipeline for a Browser-Based, City-Scale Mobile 4D VR Application Based on Historical Images
Abstract
The process for automatically creating 3D city models from contemporary photographs and visualizing them on mobile devices is well established. 4D city models that can display a temporal dimension are far more complex to generate automatically. In this article, we focus on major challenges in the process of developing an automated pipeline, starting from content-based image retrieval applied to historical images, via automatic historical image orientation, up to visualization of the 4D data in Virtual Reality (VR). The result is an interactive browser-based device-rendered 4D visualization and information system for mobile devices. This pipeline has been in development since 2015. In this article, we present initial results and early-stage findings in the process of overcoming three major challenges on the way to 4D city models: (1) to identify photographs with corresponding views, (2) to reconstruct the position and orientation of photographs and (3) to design a user-centered, browser-based 4D mobile application.
Sander Münster, Christoph Lehmann, Taras Lazariv, Ferdinand Maiwald, Susanne Karsten
Comparing Methods to Visualize Orientation of Photographs: A User Study
Abstract
We present methods to visualize characteristics in collections of historical photographs, especially focusing on the presentation of spatial position and orientation of photographs in relation to the buildings they depict. The developed methods were evaluated and compared in a user study focusing on their appropriateness to gain insight into specific research questions of art historians: 1) which buildings have been depicted most often in a collection of images, 2) which positions have been preferred by photographers to take pictures of a given building, 3) what is the main perspective of photographers regarding a specific building. To analyze spatial datasets of photographs, we have adapted related methods used in the visualization of fluid dynamics. As these existing visualization methods are not suitable in all photographic situations—especially when a multitude of photographs are pointing into diverging directions—we have developed additional cluster-based approaches that aim to overcome these issues. Our user study shows that the introduced cluster-based visualizations can elicit a better understanding of large photographic datasets concerning real-world research questions in certain situations, while performing comparably well in situations where existing methods are already adequate.
Jonas Bruschke, Markus Wacker, Florian Niebling
In Which Images Does This Corner Appears? A Novel Approach for Three-Dimensional Query of Historical Photographs Collections in Urban Heritage Research
Abstract
In order to improve the cataloging and search of historical photographs available in public online archives, recent advances support for spatially orienting images in a three-dimensional environment to freely explore these collections, thus addressing navigation issues. However, common search tasks still depend on the traditional approach based on text descriptions and keywords. To overcome this, a novel approach is proposed for querying images based on recovered 3d spatial data. By projecting image pixels over the surface of reconstructed geometry from depicted objects, a resulting point cloud is stored and queried by a search volume, retrieving 3d points and so the associated images. The proposal and its potential are validated through a specific case study from the field of urban history, a dilapidated building located in Santiago of Chile, and its associated photographic collections. Finally, the results obtained are discussed, the types of queries that the system allows, and some limitations identified. The conclusion shows that a new set of possibilities emerges, which allows interrogating images with specific tools and functions derived from a 3d spatial database, improving the access and use of collections for historical research with three-dimensional interest.
Antonio Suazo
Visualizing Venice to Visualizing Cities - Advanced Technologies for Historical Cities Visualization
Abstract
Using digital methods, the time has arrived for deepening the scholarly analysis of visual and written documents that validate and/or reveal previously unknown urban circumstances. Traditional methodologies of art, architectural and urban history remain the foundation of rigorous digital approaches; the study of a city necessitates scholarly decryption of information and visual sources that connect them to a broader historical context. As new digital tools and applications have become available, iconographic and textual sources– primary data of exceptional value not only from an historical point of view, but also for interpretative inflections – can now be interwoven as a scientific practice. This is the principal objective of Visualizing Venice to Visualizing Cities.
Kristin L. Huffman, Andrea Giordano

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Frontmatter
Semantic Deep Mapping in the Amsterdam Time Machine: Viewing Late 19th- and Early 20th-Century Theatre and Cinema Culture Through the Lens of Language Use and Socio-Economic Status
Abstract
In this paper, we present our work on semantic deep mapping at scale by combining information from various sources and disciplines to study historical Amsterdam. We model our data according to semantic web standards and ground them in space and time such that we can investigate what happened at a particular time and place from a linguistics, socio-economic and urban historical perspective. In a small use case we test the spatio-temporal infrastructure for research on entertainment culture in Amsterdam around the turn of the 20th century. We explain the bottlenecks we encountered for integrating information from different disciplines and sources and how we resolved or worked around them. Finally, we present a set of recommendations and best practices for adapting semantic deep mapping to other settings.
Julia Noordegraaf, Marieke van Erp, Richard Zijdeman, Mark Raat, Thunnis van Oort, Ivo Zandhuis, Thomas Vermaut, Hans Mol, Nicoline van der Sijs, Kristel Doreleijers, Vincent Baptist, Charlotte Vrielink, Brenda Assendelft, Claartje Rasterhoff, Ivan Kisjes
Deep Learning from History
Unlocking Historical Visual Sources Through Artificial Intelligence
Abstract
Historical photos of towns and villages contain a great deal of information about the built environment of the past. However, it is difficult to evaluate the information of images that are not labeled or incorrectly labeled or not organized in repositories or collections. In order to make the sheer volume of images that are not tagged with metadata found on the Internet or in institutional archives accessible for research, an automated recognition of the image content, in this case of buildings, is necessary. Computer vision can help to address this problem and enable the identification of historical image content. This article describes how artificial intelligence and crowdsourcing are used to identify buildings in nearly half a million historical images of the city of Amsterdam. It explains how computer science and humanities disciplines are linked together to accomplish this task.
Seyran Khademi, Tino Mager, Ronald Siebes

Policies, Legislation and Standards

Frontmatter
A Framework to Support Digital Humanities and Cultural Heritage Studies Research
Abstract
Developments in information and communication technologies and their repercussions for how cultural heritage is preserved, used and produced are the subject of several research and innovation efforts in Europe. Advanced digital technologies create new opportunities for cultural heritage to drive innovation. Digital humanities are an important domain for cultural heritage research in Europe and beyond. Digital tools and methods can be used in innovative ways in cultural heritage research. The research and innovation efforts and framework of digital humanities, and cultural heritage as one of its research fields, are influenced by EU policies and legislation. This article describes the existing policy initiatives, practices and related legal setting as framework conditions for digital humanities and cultural heritage research and innovation in Europe – focusing on urban history applications in the age of digital libraries. This is a multifaceted study of the state of the art in policies, legislation and standards – using a survey with 1000 participants, literature surveys on copyrights and policies.
Selda Ulutas Aydogan, Sander Münster, Dino Girardi, Monica Palmirani, Fabio Vitali
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Research and Education in Urban History in the Age of Digital Libraries
Editors
Florian Niebling
Sander Münster
Heike Messemer
Copyright Year
2021
Electronic ISBN
978-3-030-93186-5
Print ISBN
978-3-030-93185-8
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93186-5

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