Increasing awareness for urban cultural heritage based on 3D narrative system

As UNESCO World Heritage Center defined, cultural heritage is legacy of physical artefacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. Recently, many advanced technologies such as virtual environment and narrative platform, have been applied in improving public awareness for cultural heritage to preserve historical sites. However, these tools have their own limitations. In order to have a powerful system, these technologies should be integrated. Therefore, this study describes the need and possible methodology for a new 3D narrative system. This system contains 2D maps, 3D city models and narrative format. Tourists and locals can use it as a guide to view the cultural heritages and view and insert their narratives during their visits. Another usage can be before going there and after visiting they can share their own experience and stories to others. On one hand, they can have a deeper understanding of cultural heritages, on the other hand, they can incorporate their cultural heritage narratives for others to explore these historical sites. In this way, more people will have an interest in these heritages, and the awareness for preserving them will be improved.