Paul Bryan, BSc FRICS [Retired] formerly of English Heritage and Historic England, spoke with RIEGL UK ahead of the Heritage Geospatial Symposium in York. As part of our conversation, we discussed how the UK could benefit from a national heritage mapping database. Find out more below.
Our built heritage is – like our natural environment – a hugely valuable asset that will disappear without care. Whether in terms of historical value, tourism revenue or as a learning tool, the UK’s historic buildings and structures need to be documented and preserved.
However, the idea of systematically recording historic buildings for preservation only really gained traction after the fire at Windsor Castle in 1992. The following Bailey Report recommended that records be made of all royal palaces. This approach was considered by English Heritage and a programme of systematic recording initiated across some of their estate.
Across the UK, we are surrounded by centuries-old architecture, from medieval cathedrals to grand country houses. These buildings are more than just brick and mortar – they are symbols connecting us to our history, culture, and identity.
Despite their significance, many of these historical structures face threats. Natural disasters, accidental fires, and deliberate vandalism can have ever-lasting impacts on priceless architecture.
While many valid and impactful programmes do exist to document and protect these landmarks, preservation at a national scale still remains largely reactive and sometimes prompted after a crisis occurs. It’s time for change…
Steps In the Right Direction
Following the Windsor Castle fire, the concept of ‘anti-disaster recording’ emerged - a proactive approach to digitally preserve heritage sites so they could be restored if they were damaged or destroyed.
However, as time passes without another disaster, priorities shift. Questions arise about whether the funding could be better spent elsewhere resulting in its gradual dilution into other areas of heritage until the focus on anti-disaster recording completely fades away.
It’s only when another disaster happens - such as the Notre Dame fire in 2019 - that these issues are suddenly brought back into the spotlight and the debate on anti-disaster recording is reignited once again.
Advancements in LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry have made it possible to digitally preserve historic sites with remarkable accuracy and speed.
A National Digital Archive: The Modern-Day Time Capsule
Without a comprehensive digital record, we risk losing invaluable heritage forever. Just as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault safeguards the world’s crop diversity against catastrophe, a National Digital Heritage Archive could serve as a backup for our built environment.
Some organisations, such as CyArk, are already leading the way, dedicating their efforts solely to recording historical assets for disaster recovery.
Using LiDAR scanning technology, they’ve digitally preserved UNESCO-listed landmarks worldwide.
And to great effect. In 2009, they meticulously documented the Royal Kasubi Tombs in Uganda using advanced 3D laser scanning technology. This digital archive became invaluable when just a year later, a fire tragically destroyed the tombs. The detailed scans provided restoration teams with precise blueprints, significantly aiding the reconstruction process.
So, what’s the biggest issue around securing a National Database of recorded heritage sites? Funding. Creating and maintaining a comprehensive database requires significant investment, and currently, financial support for this kind of preservation work is in short supply.
The Role of Technology in Preservation
Advancements in LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry have made it possible to digitally preserve historic sites with remarkable accuracy and speed.
The key challenge is deciding how much detail these records should capture. That’s something the industry needs to collectively decide through input from typical end users of geospatial data, such as architects, archaeologists, and conservators, as the final dataset should serve multiple purposes and applications. It needs to be both visually and dimensionally accurate while also being structurally useful.
Modern scanning technology already meets these demands. Take the RIEGL VZ-600i Terrestrial Laser Scanner- its default resolution is 6 millimetres over 10 metres, captured in just 26 seconds. That’s an incredibly high level of detail in a very short time.
Real-Life Example: Ribblehead Viaduct
The Ribblehead Viaduct, an iconic Victorian structure in the North Yorkshire Dales, is both a feat of engineering and a historical landmark. Though not primarily a key commercial railway route, it remains a popular tourist attraction and still used for freight occasionally, so requires regular upkeep to ensure its longevity.
Due to its listed status, traditional surveying methods were not an option for assessing the site’s condition. Instead, Network Rail commissioned a low-impact LiDAR survey to assess the viaduct’s condition while minimising disruption.
Using the RIEGL VZ-400i Terrestrial Laser Scanner, a detailed 3D model was created, capturing every contour of the structure with millimetre accuracy.
The most significant insights came from reflectance mode, which identified damp areas hidden from the naked eye - critical in pinpointing potential structural deterioration.
This project highlights how digital preservation can contribute to proactive conservation. By leveraging advanced scanning technology, engineers can detect issues early, reduce restoration costs, and protect our built heritage for future generations.
Read more about the Ribblehead Viaduct Project.
The Future of Heritage Preservation
With these tools are readily available, the barriers to large-scale heritage mapping are no longer technical, but logistical and financial.
The real challenge isn’t whether we can do it – it’s whether the sector as a whole will invest in making it happen before more of our built heritage is lost forever.
To drive this forward, industry professionals, government bodies, and researchers must embrace cutting edge LiDAR technologies, which now offer exceptional levels of accuracy, precision, resolution and efficiency for heritage mapping.
By embracing these technologies, we can bridge the gap between conservation and innovation, ensuring that our past is safeguarded for future generations.