Under Fire Heritage of Ukraine
Using adaptable technology to help Ukraine preserve its cultural heritage
Damage to Car and Building (2023-06-27) by Under Fire Heritage of UkraineWorld Monuments Fund
Cultural Heritage is often damaged during conflict
Tangible cultural heritage, including buildings and monuments, is often damaged accidentally in conflict. Despite being protected by international law, cultural heritage can also be deliberately damaged to demotivate populations or attempt to destroy culture and history
Map Database Entry (2023-06-27) by Under Fire Heritage of UkraineWorld Monuments Fund
Under Fire Heritage of Ukraine
This is a project that aimed to bring together information and track damage to cultural heritage in Ukraine so that heritage could be protected, repaired and restored.
Database Entry with Map (2023-06-27) by Under Fire Heritage of UkraineWorld Monuments Fund
Heritage Information System Based on Open-Source GIS
The project combined a variety of information, together with the bravery and expertise of local people, in an open and accessible database that would be flexible to changing needs.
What we already knew
Existing records, including maps, archaeological data, and architectural reports were digitized and put into the database.
Satellite Imagery
Aerials and satellite images, including from Planet Labs, allowed the project to see changes in building and monuments over time
On-the-Ground Photographs
People local to buildings took photographs (including through GHF's AMAL app) to verify destruction and provide more detail of conditions. However, it was often difficult to access buildings due to the ongoing conflict and restrictions due to military considerations.
Oral and Written Reports
As well as images, local experts would provide written and oral accounts about cultural destruction they were seeing.
Aerial Image of Destruction (2023-06-27) by Under Fire Heritage of UkraineWorld Monuments Fund
Fighting for Heritage
Little of the information would have been collected without the bravery of local Ukrainians, who often had to work under occupation and fire. Global Heritage Fund and Europa Nostra to provide financial help to heritage experts in Ukraine allowing them to continue their jobs
Open Street Map Example (2023-06-27) by Under Fire Heritage of UkraineWorld Monuments Fund
Strength in Combination
Combining these sources of information within effective and accessible technology makes the information more useful. Ukrainian heritage workers and authorities continue to use the database to combat further destruction and plan for the rebuilding of their wonderful heritage
With funding from the Aliph Foundation and Google Arts & Culture, Ukrainian experts, Global Heritage Fund, and University College London joined forces to react to the deliberate destruction of Ukrainian heritage.
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