Benha University Announced Recommendations from the Second Conference on "The Future of Heritage: Visions and Challenges"

Participants in the second edition of the conference "The Future of Heritage: Visions and Challenges," held under the auspices of Prof. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Prof. Nasser El-Gizawy, President of Benha University, along with several experts and specialists in heritage, made a number of recommendations aimed at developing and broadening perspectives in the field of heritage preservation. The recommendations are as follows:
1. Encouraging Innovation in Adaptive Reuse of Historical Spaces
• Promote dialogue between architects, local communities, and authorities to adopt innovative solutions for rehabilitating historical sites while preserving their cultural value. Modern restoration techniques, such as 3D printing, can be used to reconstruct damaged parts of historical buildings.
2. Using Digital Twins to Support Architectural Heritage Preservation
• Develop digital platforms for virtual simulations of historical buildings and sites, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage and providing opportunities for scientific research and exploration of new protection technologies.
3. Enhancing the Role of Smart Cities in Architectural Heritage
• Integrate artificial intelligence tools in monitoring and maintaining architectural heritage and smart urban planning. Develop applications for interacting with historical sites via smartphones, enhancing visitors'experiences.
4. Community Interaction in Revitalizing Historical Urban Spaces
• Encourage community participation in projects for rehabilitating historical places through initiatives like "collaborative planning" and "tactical planning." Organize workshops with local communities to incorporate their needs into restoration projects.
5. Promoting Sustainable Tourism through Architectural Heritage
• Develop tourism marketing strategies based on cultural heritage, ensuring that tourism does not negatively impact heritage sites. Digital tools like social media should be utilized to enhance the status of historical sites as tourist destinations.
6. Cultural Exchange and Comparative Studies of Heritage Sites
• Support research and comparative studies between historical cities such as Diriyah in Saudi Arabia, Alfama in Portugal, and Bruges in Belgium to extract best practices in architectural heritage preservation and its use in economic development.
7. Exploring Interactive and Virtual Museum Technologies
• Develop virtual and interactive experiences for users through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies, allowing visitors to explore cultural heritage in new and exciting ways. Case studies like "Hall of King Tut" can inspire the expansion of these experiences.
8. Reviving Modern Architectural Treasures in Egypt
• Implement programs to rehabilitate and utilize modern architectural buildings in Egypt that suffer from neglect, such as those from the mid-20th century, transforming them into multifunctional spaces and providing an appropriate environment for preserving these distinctive architectural works.
9. Intangible Heritage and the Necessity of Its Protection
• Establish effective strategies to protect intangible heritage through documentation and organization of workshops to raise community awareness about the importance of preserving it. Local cultural events can be part of this effort.
10. Rethinking the Use of Heritage Sites for Social Marketing
• Promote the idea of using heritage sites as tools for urban marketing and attracting visitors through social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, helping to enhance the cultural identity of the city and its global standing.
Through these recommendations, a balance can be achieved between preserving heritage and addressing modern challenges, contributing to the creation of sustainable urban environments.
Recommendations for Higher Education and Universities
11. The Role of Universities in Rooting Heritage
• Universities as research and educational centers for heritage preservation: They should play a pivotal role in rooting cultural heritage by establishing specialized research centers for studying architectural and intangible heritage, offering advanced research and projects in this field. Academic and research activities such as conferences and workshops can enhance heritage awareness among students and the academic community.
12. Recommendations Directed at Higher Education
• Incorporating Heritage Topics in University Curricula: The study of architectural heritage should be a fundamental part of curricula in architecture, urban planning, and archaeology programs. New topics such as "adaptive reuse," "digital twinning," and "digital museums" should be included in student courses to enhance their understanding of heritage by combining historical and technical aspects.
• Encouraging Partnerships between Universities and Cultural Institutions: Establish research and training partnerships between universities and cultural institutions, such as museums and heritage centers, to provide practical opportunities for students in heritage preservation fields. Universities should also be encouraged to participate in field projects for rehabilitating heritage sites and work with local and international experts.
• Investing in Modern Technologies in Education: Universities should focus on using modern technologies like VR and AR in heritage education, allowing students to experience a more realistic interactive experience of historical sites. These technologies can enhance students' understanding of architectural heritage and the history of urban areas.
• Innovating in Teaching Intangible Heritage: Universities should develop academic programs focusing on intangible heritage, such as folklore, music, and traditional arts, and offer research and training courses on how to preserve and document intangible heritage using modern technology.
13. The Role of Universities in Raising Community Awareness
• Engaging the Academic Community in Community Projects for Heritage Protection: Through collaboration with municipalities and local communities, universities can contribute to raising awareness about the importance of cultural heritage and its preservation. Lectures and seminars can be organized for students and the local community to explain the significance of preserving heritage as part of cultural identity and sustainable economic development.
Through these recommendations, universities can effectively contribute to rooting heritage and enhancing its value through education, research, and community engagement.