Multi-Scale and Multi-Sensor 3D Documentation of Heritage Complexes in Urban Areas

The 3D documentation of heritage complexes or quarters often requires more than one scale due to its extended area. While the documentation of individual buildings requires a technique with finer resolution, that of the complex itself may not need the same degree of detail. This has led to the use of a multi-scale approach in such situations, which in itself implies the integration of multi-sensor techniques. The challenges and constraints of the multi-sensor approach are further added when working in urban areas, as some sensors may be suitable only for certain conditions. This paper describes the integration of heterogeneous sensors as a logical solution in addressing this problem. The royal palace complex of Kasepuhan Cirebon, Indonesia, was taken as a case study. The site dates to the 13th Century and has survived to this day as a cultural heritage site, preserving within itself a prime example of vernacular Cirebonese architecture. This type of architecture is influenced by the tropical climate, with distinct features designed to adapt to the hot and humid year-long weather. In terms of 3D documentation, this presents specific challenges that need to be addressed both during the acquisition and processing stages. Terrestrial laser scanners, DSLR cameras, as well as UAVs were utilized to record the site. The implemented workflow, some geometrical analysis of the results, as well as some derivative products will be discussed in this paper. Results have shown that although the proposed multi-scale and multi-sensor workflow has been successfully employed, it needs to be adapted and the related challenges addressed in a particular manner.