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Auflistung nach Autor:in "Elkhalifa, Akram A."

1 - 3 von 3
  • Konferenzbeitrag
    Bridging Generations: Exploring Virtual Reality Tourism and Universal Design in an Intergenerational Civic Centre. A quest for a fit in the realms of technology
    (INFORMATIK 2024, 2024) Botrous, Mirametta; Elkhalifa, Akram A.
    In 2018, an architectural graduation thesis titled, 'Adult Active Community: A Quest for a Fit' was presented in the School of Architecture, University of Khartoum. It aimed to serve a marginalized group of society—the elderly—under the theme of universal design and inclusiveness. It also reflects on the users as significant figures neglected in the local design codes. Therefore, the project aimed to bring them back into society through design attributes alongside another approach, connecting them with a different younger generation through Sudanese cultural heritage to bridge the generational gap. The project envisioned the Civic Centre as an intergenerational space and an educational content hub focusing on bridging the generational gap through space alone and the activities occurring in it between youth and the elderly who socialize in cultural evenings, talk events, and documentary nights, aiming at reminiscing the past. The result, however, was still a set of intangible literature, perhaps audible and visual in some materials, but still lacking the experience of space. This paper rethinks the preservation and revival of heritage in the Civic Center through the lens of sustainable tourism and virtual traveling. It also looks upon virtual traveling as an approach that utilizes the universal design theme. Furthermore, along with introducing technology to diminish physical barriers, the digitization of cultural heritage accentuated the environmental psychology of the space. During the fall semester, our group participated in creating a virtual platform of an app titled 'Heritage Link', which encourages sustainable tourism and virtual traveling. It has been introduced in this paper as a demo for creating an intergenerational space with an experiential dimension. In this paper, a few designs were reviewed as an example to present an idea that is closer to what we hope the Civic Center can be like someday, introducing its challenges and limitations. It showcases the role of virtual reality tourism and digitalized culture in fulfilling some of the major concepts of universal design and its ability to bridge the gap between generations while studying environmental psychology. Even though the thesis project was based in Khartoum, Sudan, it also aims to become a prototype for global implementation.
  • Konferenzbeitrag
    Capturing the Past: Photogrammetry for Safeguarding Sudanese Cultural Heritage Digitally
    (INFORMATIK 2024, 2024) Abdalhaleem, Duaa; Elkhalifa, Akram A.
    Cultural heritage is a valuable asset for any country, and it is crucial to protect, restore, and preserve it because it is threatened by both nature and human actions. Preservation methods have always been a significant concern, and traditional methods of documentation, such as 2D drawings, pictures, and conventional 3D modelling systems, have proven to be inefficient in terms of cost, time, effort, and quality. However, with advancements in technology and digital transformation, more effective techniques have been developed. One such technique is photogrammetry, which has proven to be a convenient way to digitize cultural heritage. For countries such as Sudan, where rich inheritance is in inevitable danger of ongoing armed conflicts, it is important to preserve this cultural heritage. This paper studies the feasibility of using photogrammetry as a digitalization technique to preserve Sudan’s cultural heritage by reviewing previous experiences and conducting two case studies that investigate the applicability of the technique to non-experts, along with its potential and limitations. Selected objects were digitized using close-range photogrammetry with a low budget and simple equipment. The final outcome was promising, particularly for small and medium-sized objects. Finally, a list of recommendations is provided to facilitate the digitalization of Sudanese cultural heritage to preserve it.
  • Konferenzbeitrag
    Cultural Continuity in Crisis: The Interaction of Virtual Tourism and Heritage Culture in War-torn Sudan
    (INFORMATIK 2024, 2024) Tahir, Gabass M.; Elkhalifa, Akram A.
    Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating war, resulting in the loss of much significant cultural heritage all over the country. This study aims to explore how virtual travel and digital tools can help preserve Sudan’s cultural heritage by leveraging technology. The methodology included a literature review, digitalization case studies, and qualitative methods, such as interviews with cultural heritage and tourism experts. The study discussed how Sudan could use digital tools during the conflict to preserve its cultural heritage, one of the key results of this study is the digitization process to preserve Sudanese cultural heritage through and after the conflict for future generations. The call to digitize the remaining non-destructed heritage sites is essential through VR, digital technologies, 3D scanners, photogrammetry applications, and digital platforms to share it with a global audience.