Using GIS to document the National Heritage of Mauritius

Paper Presenter: Maurina Soodin, Researcher, Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund, Port Louis, Mauritius

Authors:

Maurina Soodin
Researcher, Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund, Port Louis, Mauritius
Hemanaden Runghen
Affiliation: Research Assistant, Mauritius Oceanography Institute, Quatre Bornes, Mauritius

Soonil Rughooputh
Pro-Vice-Chancellor - Research & Concultancy, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius

Abstract:
The present work aims at exploring the use of the Geographical Information System in the documentation of National Heritage Sites of Mauritius. Benefits of using GIS for tasks such as the documentation of sites, and the management of information related to the same are discussed. The utility of some GIS management and analytical tools such as ‘3-D display of surfaces’, ‘spatial database query’, ‘buffering’, ‘overlay of data layers’ and ‘polygon overlays’ are also demonstrated. In addition to the above, the possibility of introducing GIS as a shared tool for heritage management in Mauritius is also investigated.
Extended Abstract
Mauritius ratified the 1972 UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1995. The ratification of this document signifies that the State Party undertakes to identify, protect, conserve, present and transmit its cultural and natural heritage for the future generations. The responsibility of Mauritius in this field is being fulfilled by the National Heritage Fund. The latter has the mandate to safeguard, manage and promote the national heritage of Mauritius. However the lack of proper documentation of the said sites has so far impeded an integrated management plan for the island. As a result, many of the National Heritage Sites of Mauritius are in ruins. Despite the increase in scope for cultural tourism in the country, we are unable to exploit these resources to their full extent.
Geographical Information System (GIS) is a computerised system used in recording, maintaining, analysing and managing data about geographic space. It records the geometrical information of an object along with its location on a geo-referenced map while other non spatial attribute data such as ownership or historical information are then recorded in the attached databases.
Working with GIS enables the heritage manager to plan conservation and heritage management policies while taking into account the important factor of change, which can be either temporal or dimensional, or even both. Since the database can be made accessible through internet with the required security limitations for changes, it is easier for various departments to share information and update the database. Thus, not only will duplication of work be avoided, but also, the cost of printing paper maps will also be decreased. Compared to paper maps, which cost a lot to produce in terms of time and money, GIS provides a more accessible digital and user-friendly alternative. The possibility to select the information being printed also facilitates the production of maps for specialised use. At present, Ministry of Housing and Lands maps are only updated at an interval of about ten years. Through a shared access to the maps through GIS, the users will then benefit from the updated versions of regional maps as and when they are prepared both by the Ministry and private surveyors, although, in order to be able to ensure accuracy of the maps, a process for verification formula will have to be adopted.
The main characteristic of the GIS is the fact that it provides the user the possibility to manage the various types of information, and can therefore be seen as a major management tool. Thus different layers can be created to show information such as the location of a site, its date of construction and last user. On the other hand, the site managers can easily upload and access more specialised information such as conservation measures, risk areas. The ability to update the database regularly at low cost can also enable the site manager to record the progress of the works and any other change that may occur on the site.
In the past, the GIS was mainly used for the recording and analysis of archaeological sites. The trend has changed lately with the application of GIS in the management of the cultural resources. Indeed the possibility to update and manage the data using GIS has earned it the recognition of heritage managers and researchers in various countries such as in Norway, France and United Kingdom. Furthermore, various programmes have been launched by UNESCO for the use of GIS in the protection of natural and cultural heritage in sites such as Angkor in Cambodia and Hue in Vietnam.
A comprehensive framework for the proper documentation of a cultural site and its management is listed by Box (1998). GIS can assist the heritage manager in the execution of the above tasks. Through the centralization of the data, the gaps in the information can easily be identified and thus research oriented towards fulfilling them. Moreover, access to all the information about a site and its environment and the possibility to analyse the different types of information using GIS tools can help generate a more global view that will guide the heritage manager in the formulation of a conservation plan and its implementation.
References
Box Paul, (1998) GIS and Cultural Resource Management, A Manual for Heritage Managers, UNESCO Principal Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Geographical Information Systems and Cultural Resource Management, Bangkok
Hardy Roberta, (1997), Master's Practicum Report, Geographic Information Systems for World Heritage Preservation, University of Michigan, Department of Landscape Architecture
UNESCO’s (1972) Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
National Heritage Fund Act 2001
accessed on 05/08/08 at 20.30 hrs