OF STONES AND WORDS: Computational Framework for Multifaceted Historical Narration of Wadi Salib

In this paper, we outline a computational framework to capture an intricate relationship between tangible and intangible cultural heritage - architecture and the multiple narratives pertaining to it, to unfold multiple histories as a means for a deeper, more comprehensive preservation of contextual heritage. Deploying a set of digital and computational tools, we present a cross-disciplinary method to produce environments infused with history, and at times overlapping narratives. The framework presented here aims to combine text and spatial data, using both Natural Language Processing and Semantic Segmentation, towards integrating seemingly divided epistemologies of heritage. We ask how we can use computation to enrich current cultural practices and what is at stake in deploying such tools. To explore these questions, we discuss a case study of Wadi Salib, an historical and conflicted neighbourhood in Haifa, Israel, and attempt to assess our framework's ability to render a historical tour through this multi-layered site. Finally, the paper identifies several pitfalls and key challenges for future research.