Project's Length: 18 Months (February 2016- June 2017 )

Status: Completed.

Digitisation of heritage through customs, photo archives, film footage, oral history documentaries and buildings has become central for the preservation of national identity and an effective tool in national strategies of undermining radical ideologies in marginalised communities. Virtual environments which encompass cultural heritage and are represented through digital media are often categorised as ‘virtual heritage’. Modern media and technologies offer the possibility to experience virtually reconstructed historic sites as visitors, travellers, or even as a resident. Although virtual heritage possesses great potential to reconstruct our heritage and memory, critics often blame high cost, sophisticated hardware and software requirements, inaccessibility of technology and training, and high maintenance for preventing widespread dissemination and use of virtual heritage platforms. 

The project resulted in 5 start-ups in Egypt and award-winning virtual heritage platforms and applications that include: Bayt Al-Suhaimy, Souq Al-Khayamiyyah, Al-Muizz Street, Sultan Hassan Mosque. The project produced a research policy document: “Preserving Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age” (2017). The outcomes were on display at the London Design Festival (2018) and the Digital Heritage Expo in San Francisco (2018)