ABSTRACT
The relationship between the cultural value of architectural heritage and its spatial features is straightforward. Digital 3D models are very effective to store such information, which can be further enhanced through the management in 3D information systems. Mainly two approaches are proposed by literature, notwithstanding the still existing challenges: the Heritage Building Information Models (HBIMs) or the archiving of the information in 3D city models. They are both extensions of systems and tools adopted in other fields (construction for BIMs and city management for 3D city models). They use different methodologies and technical solutions (e.g. different kinds of geometries; different reference standards foreseeing interoperability, etc.). However, some work is on-going for integrating them. A review of HBIM and 3D city models including heritage is described, in connection with the respective supported applications, as a starting point towards their integration for a more comprehensive 3D geospatial information for architectural heritage.
