Historic City Centre Information Modelling: A Strategy for Safeguarding Mosul Old City Centre

The revitalization of historic city centres is a complex challenge, balancing cultural identity with contemporary development needs. This research explores integrating Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) and City Information Modelling (CIM) as innovative tools for conserving and planning historic environments, focusing on Mosul’s Old City. By reviewing existing literature, the study highlights HBIM and CIM’s potential to unify geometric, temporal, material, and semantic information digitally. This paper aims to propose an integrated methodology, Historic City Centre Information Modelling (HCCIM), combining advanced digital technologies with traditional preservation to document, analyse, and plan interventions in historic urban areas. The Mosul case study demonstrates HCCIM’s practical application, using photogrammetry and GIS data to create detailed 3D models of heritage sites. The paper also discusses community engagement and raising awareness about Mosul’s cultural heritage. Findings emphasize HCCIM’s significance in urban heritage management while addressing challenges like data interoperability, standardization, and the need for continuous development. The study recommends adopting the HCCIM methodology for comprehensive documentation, analysis, and community engagement.