Digitalization of cultural heritage’s tangible & intangible dimensions

The paper aims at discussing the advantages and challenges of the digitalization of the Cultural Heritage. Within the application field, historical and cultural sites are recognized as keepers of traditions and values, which run the risk of extinction due to the fast growing phenomenon of globalization. This essay presents an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the Building Information Model (BIM) as a dynamic, graphic, and multidimensional platform for the management of the tangible and intangible attributes of the Cultural Heritage and for the generation and dissemination of culturally nuanced information related to materials, the state of conservation and the methods of construction. This paper analyses BIM’s potencial when it is applied to new fields such as the Cultural Heritage, its documentation, conservation and management. In addition, it disusses the connection of BIM with the Geographic Information System (GIS) in a multi-scaled approach. The integrated use of these Spatial Information Systems allows us to disclose and explore, new dimensions at an architectural and territorial scale, such as the dimension of time (4D) and of the intangibility of the Cultural Heritage. The integration of these Spatial Information Systems - GIS and BIM - would support the documentation and conservation process. In addition, it would be able to communicate historical, religious and cultural values to current and future generations. These values are intrinsically connected to the Built Heritage. GIS and BIM can provide a platform for the creation of new meanings stemming from the interaction of different users and stakeholders engaged in its preservation and enhancement.