A GIS-based Methodology to Explore and Manage the Historical Heritage of Rabat City (Morocco)

Abstract

The management of cultural heritage in Morocco is considered as a lever for local development. It constitutes an economic and social challenge of great value. Also, it is at the heart of the debate on tourism development and raises many questions about its preservation and valorization. This article is part of the implementation of a database of the historical heritage of Rabat city (Capital of Morocco) using the Geographic Information System (GIS), which will allow access to information and therefore the protection of this heritage. Indeed, only a rigorous inventory and periodic inventory of the cultural assets allows us to know its extent, assess its importance and specificity, prevent threats to archaeological sites and remains, and ensure the management of research. This systematic study consists of collecting and managing archaeological, textual, iconographic, and photographic information and documentation to create an archaeological database or thematic maps, and to provide a 3D view of these assets. Also, to evaluate the carrying capacity at the archaeological site of Chellah. Through our methodology, we have established an exhaustive inventory of the monuments and sites of Rabat city. Each site has been described, to evaluate its potentialities and historical phases, as well as an inventory of sites and heritage protection areas including adobe buildings.