Mobile GIS field inventory of historic buildings: geospatial dataset for cultural heritage monitoring
Description
This dataset contains geospatial information on cultural heritage sites inventoried during field research conducted as part of a study on the application of mobile GIS tools for cultural heritage management and monitoring. The dataset consists of point-based spatial data representing the geographic locations of historic buildings and other cultural heritage objects identified in three Polish health tourism destinations: Krynica-Zdrój, Szczawnica, and Uniejów. Each point corresponds to a single heritage site and includes a set of descriptive attributes collected during in-situ inspections using a structured mobile GIS field inventory protocol. Each record in the dataset represents an individual cultural heritage object and contains a set of attributes derived from field inventory. These attributes include the name of the site, geographic coordinates, municipality, address, and period of construction. Additional attributes describe the primary and current function of the building, its state of conservation, and the forms of heritage protection applied to the site. The dataset also includes information regarding accessibility of the object, its spatial context within the urban or landscape environment, and the presence of potential threats or conservation needs identified during field inspections. In some cases, references to photographic documentation collected during the survey are also included. The dataset was designed to support spatial analysis and monitoring of cultural heritage resources in the studied locations. The point locations of inventoried objects allow for the analysis of spatial distribution patterns of heritage sites within the three study areas. The attribute information can be used to identify clusters of objects requiring conservation interventions, assess the condition of historic buildings, and support decision-making processes related to heritage management and preventive conservation strategies. In addition to supporting academic research, the dataset may also be useful for cultural heritage management institutions, local authorities, urban planners, and researchers involved in heritage conservation. By combining spatial location with detailed field observations, the dataset provides a structured digital inventory that can contribute to long-term monitoring and sustainable management of historic sites in the analysed spa towns. The dataset is provided in shapefile format and can be used in widely available GIS environments such as ArcGIS and QGIS. The geospatial format ensures interoperability with other spatial datasets and enables visualization, mapping, and spatial modeling of cultural heritage resources at local and regional scales.
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Steps to reproduce
The data were collected using mobile devices and a digital survey form implemented in a mobile GIS environment. Field inspections were carried out by research teams who documented the spatial location and condition of heritage sites directly in the field. Geographic coordinates were recorded automatically using the GNSS capabilities of mobile devices, while additional descriptive information about each site was entered through predefined attribute fields within the digital survey form. This approach allowed the simultaneous recording of spatial information and qualitative observations related to the architectural, functional, and conservation characteristics of the documented objects. After field collection, the data were exported as a point feature layer in shapefile format, enabling further spatial analysis and integration with standard GIS software.