A RESEARCH ON DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY’S APPLICATION IN PRESERVATION PLANNING OF WENMING HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL BLOCK IN KUNMING

Abstract. The preservation of traditional settlements plays an indispensable part in the field of heritage preservation. The traditional settlements, definitely with cumulative developmental layers, vary in elements and involving numerous stakeholders; therefore, preservation objects and methods are quite complicated. The traditional heritage investigating and recording tools, such as manual mapping, photographing and field reconnaissance, which have exposed many limitations and deficiencies in the actual work, have defects to meet the requirements of settlement heritage preservation projects. This paper describes the process of applying of modern digital heritage recording and investigation technology (mobile GIS and 3D laser scanning technology) in the preservation of Wenming historical and cultural blocks in Kunming and argues that Mobile GIS and 3D laser scanning technology are capable of producing a complete and efficient workflow, as well as providing fundamental technical support for heritage preservation work. Through the research, this paper draws a conclusion that the advantages of the workflow including: (1) accurate and convenient recording, (2) efficient comprehensive spatial analysing, and (3) better integrating protection planning with the later dynamic monitoring and management. Additionally, the author forecasts the prospects of the application of this workflow in the preservation and utilization of settlement heritage.