VIRTUAL REALITY: TOWARDS PRESERVING ALEXANDRIA HERITAGE BY RAISING THE AWARENESS OF THE LOCALS

Abstract

One of the biggest problems facing Alexandria nowadays is the ongoing destruction of historic buildings to accommodate new high-rise residential buildings, carried out by the “construction mafia” with the aid of the landlords and the silence of the locals, to gain considerable financial profit in a remarkably short period of time. Through previous data collection and surveys, it was concluded that most of the residents don't have an adequate consciousness about the significance of these structures and the destructive actions happening to them. Here arises the role of virtual reality: this research attempts to discuss its impact on increasing this knowledge, enhancing the participatory heritage conservation process and its ability to encourage the residents to save their heritage from destruction.