Abstract

Introduction: In today's urban heritage management, participatory approaches hold a pivotal role in identifying and safeguarding values to a diverse range of stakeholders. This inclusive approach acknowledges the multifaceted nature of urban heritage and aims to involve not only professionals but also local communities, historians, conservationists, and policymakers in the conservation efforts. Engaging stakeholders in specialized planning processes has historically presented challenges due to diverse interests and knowledge levels. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for fostering ownership and stewardship among stakeholders, contributing to more sustainable conservation efforts. Various methods, including community workshops, public consultations, collaborative mapping exercises, and digital platforms for feedback, have been adopted to involve stakeholders in the planning processes, recognizing their diverse perspectives and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for urban heritage preservation. Meanwhile, The Geographic Information System (GIS) has emerged as a valuable tool in facilitating the participation of social groups in the urban heritage planning process. By utilizing GIS tools and technologies, planners can create conditions that enable meaningful and effective involvement of stakeholders, providing a foundation for informed decision-making and inclusive engagement.

Purpose: The aim of this research is to delve into the potential of geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool for conservation of urban heritage in a participatory manner. By focusing on creating an analytical framework, the research endeavors to outline the practical application of GIS in engaging the community in the preservation of urban heritage. Through this framework, the research seeks to offer solutions that enable the effective implementation of participatory GIS approaches in urban settings. By doing so, it aims to bridge the gap between traditional heritage management practices and contemporary participatory methods, ultimately contributing to more inclusive, informed, and sustainable urban heritage conservation efforts.

Methodology: This study utilizes qualitative methods and logical argumentation to conduct an analysis of relevant research content, with an emphasis on introducing key components through coding. The research draws on both qualitative and quantitative data from previous studies. Following an evaluation of the theoretical foundation, the paper presents a conceptual model of a literature review, highlighting the essential components that elucidate the role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in participatory conservation. The paper proceeds to evaluate four case studies that have utilized geographic information systems in participatory planning processes. The selection of case studies encompasses both developed and developing countries, with a focus on previous research on Participatory GIS (PPGIS) in Iran, America, Finland, and Germany. Fig1 illustrate the research design and methodology structure of this article.

Case studies: The article seeks to explicate the effectiveness and potential of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in fostering inclusive and participatory approaches to urban heritage conservation. The initial case study delves into the assessment of values within the historical urban landscape of Valiasr street, Tehran, Iran, aiming to prioritize conservation management activities by identifying critical and unbalanced areas and evaluating street values based on public opinion. Another case study focuses on the utilization of public participatory mapping to inform general land use planning and zoning in a coastal community in California. This study demonstrates how participatory mapping methods can assess the sustainability, compatibility, and potential conflicts of zoning with public values and preferences in the general plan revision process within a coastal community. A third case study delves into the crowdsourcing of local knowledge with Participatory Public Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) and social media for urban planning, aiming to reveal intangible cultural heritage in Nikkilä, Finland. This study compares non-professional knowledge with expert knowledge, ultimately reaching valuable insights about the intangible aspects of the built cultural heritage through place-based memories. The fourth case study revolves around a cultural landscape information system developed with open-source tools in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. This research presents a challenge for new developments using an aggregate system combined from distributed software modules, showcasing the potential for innovative advancements in this field.

Finding: The findings of this research highlight the capability of the geographic information system (GIS) to capture the perspectives and experiences of diverse social groups concerning heritage values and developmental priorities using participatory mapping techniques. This process enables the integration of community insights into urban heritage conservation efforts, empowering stakeholders to contribute to decision-making processes and offering valuable suggestions for the preservation and development of urban heritage sites. The utilization of GIS in this participatory capacity not only enhances the inclusivity of heritage management practices but also strengthens the foundation for informed, community-driven initiatives aimed at sustaining and promoting urban heritage.