- UNESCO is leading a project to protect and preserve historic sites in Ukraine, which have been damaged by Russia’s war on the country.
- A volunteer team including a French engineer and a Ukrainian architect is using advanced laser equipment to create three-dimensional renderings of the sites, which will help to preserve them for future generations.
- The project is part of UNESCO’s efforts to protect and preserve historic sites across Ukraine, and is essential in preserving the country’s cultural heritage.
In the midst of ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a UN-supported team of experts is using advanced laser equipment to scan the country’s historical sites for preservation.
The team, which includes specialists from UNESCO and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), is using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to create detailed 3D models of key heritage sites.
These models will help experts to better understand and assess the condition of Ukraine’s historical monuments and buildings, and to devise effective preservation strategies in the face of ongoing conflict and damage from natural disasters.
“Ukraine is home to a rich and diverse cultural heritage, but unfortunately this heritage is under threat due to the ongoing conflict and other challenges,” said Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General.
“By harnessing the power of advanced technology like LiDAR, we can better understand and preserve these important sites for future generations.”
The team has already completed scans of several key sites, including the medieval castle of Kamianets-Podilskyi and the ancient city of Chersonesus.
The scans will be used to create detailed 3D models of the sites, which will allow experts to identify areas at risk of damage and to plan restoration work.
The project is part of a wider effort by the UN to support heritage preservation in conflict-affected regions, including Syria and Iraq. LiDAR technology has been used successfully in other regions, such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, to help protect and preserve key cultural heritage sites.