TRANSITIONING FROM TRADITIONAL TO DIGITAL METHODS: INSIGHTS ON DOCUMENTING AND EXHIBITING LANDSCAPE HERITAGE

Abstract

Documenting heritage is crucial for understanding the history and significance of a society and its surroundings. This process involves capturing a culture's tangible and intangible values through various mediums, such as written records, drawings, maps, photographs, videos, audio recordings, artefacts, and other forms of documentation. With the increasing use of technology, the methods of documenting and presenting heritage have evolved. This research explores the transition from traditional to digital methods in landscape heritage documentation and exhibition. The objectives are to review the instruments and techniques employed and then compare the documentation and exhibits across the studies. The investigation draws upon seven landscape heritage projects in Malaysia and Indonesia within the landscape architecture undergraduate program at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Each project's documentation and exhibition strategies are classified based on the tools, procedures, and outcomes. The different forms of documentation are subsequently evaluated in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency in recording and showcasing the results of the projects. The study reveals that combining traditional and digital methods offers numerous benefits for heritage documentation. Analysing these projects shows that reflecting, evaluating, exploring, adapting, and refining the documentation process are essential for successful heritage preservation efforts.