Issam BALLOUZ | Issam HAJJAR | Eva-Maria AL HABIB NMEIR | Sandra SCHAEFER | Rasha KANJARAWI | Zoya MASOUD, Karin PÜTT | Rania ABDELLATIF | Alaa HADDAD
(Syrian Heritage Archive Project, Berlin, Germany)

Keywords: Damage Assessment, Data base

Abstract:
DSDS, or Digital Spaces DataSheets:
Is a web-based database for collaborative documentation, developed by Syrian Heritage Archive Project, for the purpose of Building Documentation and Damage Assessment.
Main aspects of this work are a unified methodology, accessibility for different contributors and devices and a multi-level documentation from rapid to detailed. Goal is to prepare files with an element documentation and assessment, summarized with a recommendation class for best practice first measurements, in preparation of a further rehabilitation

This solution has in detail following objectives:

  1. establishing documentation files for a list of monuments by collecting all available plans and photographs
  2. performing a damage assessment (DA), ranging between rapid (based on UNESCO forms) and detailed, based on European standard EN 16069, with German conservation expertise.
  3. handing over the results to all contributing partners, as well as to Syrian authorities of concern.
  4. sharing methods and knowledge with Syrian experts.

In this, we are using some main methods, as:

  1. using a restricted web-accessible database with collaborative workflow (multilingual)
  2. development and test of a mobile app for photographic documentation and data entry
  3. preparing documentation files in Berlin
  4. consulting multipliers from Syria and acknowledged experts
  5. performing training workshops for trainers on building documentation on one hand, and damage assessment on the other hand
  6. working with Syrian colleagues on building documentation in situ.
  7. for DA: setting a list of damages (kind, grade, consequence)
  8. for building documentation: setting an ontology to describe built elements.

A new approach in this project would be:

  • adding the state/ condition of an element, of either built heritage or even any other kind of object, it allows us to establish a link between scientific research and subsequent conservation and management.
  • by using a mobile app, It opens the way for civil society to participate in the management of cultural heritage