A conceptual study on envisioning digital humanities based on spatio-temporal analyses anthropogenic activities of heritage site: An interactive application

Ainon Nisa Othman, Nurhanisah Hashim, Ernieza Suhana Mokhtar, Siti Aekbal Salleh, Zalina Samadi, Yudi Bachrioktora, Ghilman Assilmi, Muhamad Prabu Wibowo, Mochamad Aviandy

Abstract


Heritage buildings provide a visual depiction of Malaysian culture and historical elements. Heritage buildings are also living representations of the past. Malacca Town, Malacca, is known to have numerous heritage buildings that are over a century old. The Malaysian government has been working diligently to manage these historical buildings since Malacca was designated as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, this research study aims to bridge the gap in understanding human impact on historical sites by integrating digital tools and spatio-temporal analysis and proposes a digital humanities framework that integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatio-temporal analysis, and interactive web-based storytelling to analyse anthropogenic activities within Melaka’s heritage zones. Multi-temporal land-use and land-cover data from 1989 to 2024 were analysed to identify patterns of urban expansion and environmental transformation and the results reveal a substantial increase in developed areas. To support data dissemination and public engagement, an interactive GIS-based web application and story map were developed which enabled users to explore heritage buildings through spatial visualization, historical timelines, and multimedia integration. The proposed framework demonstrates how digital tools can enhance heritage monitoring, support conservation planning, and democratise access to historical knowledge. The significance of this study lies in its innovative approach to analyzing and visualizing the patterns of anthropogenic activities over time, contributing valuable insights to the field of digital humanities and to the advancement of digital humanities by bridging geospatial analysis with cultural heritage interpretation, offering a scalable approach for sustainable heritage management and citizen science engagement in rapidly developing urban environments.

 

Keywords: Database design, digital humanities, heritage building, GIS, story map, web mapping


Keywords


Database design, digital humanities, heritage building, GIS, story map, web mapping

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References


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