The making of a multimedia pole of Mediterranean seascapes and the use of the internet for the building of a database of historic cities

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to provide some ideas regarding the use of I.T. tools for the study of urban structures, that is, to discuss how one can relate Urban History to information technology. The is no doubt that the use of computers is becoming an indispensable tool in the study of Urban History. Geographic Information System (GIS), in particular, is an invaluable aid for architects, geographers and urban researchers in their studies. In fact, artificial intelligence offers a spectrum of opportunities for the exploration and contexualisaton of past historical realities, which cannot otherwise be identified or explored through the conventional tools applied until now to the study of history. In the course of this paper, I shall also seek to show how Internet can help in the opening a new window on the history of Mediterranean towns and cities. Yet, despite these new modalities, the conventional tools are still needed and should form the backbone of any multimedia pole project. I will seek to combine the use of I.T. technology with references to those documents which in the past helped to raise the profile of the Maltese harbour cities both in the eyes of Maltese and foreigners alike. However, I do not intend to give only a historical overview of the rile that printed matter and artists had in the past in creating that profile but I would like to go a step further and analyse the role that modern technology can play in enhancing awareness of the Mediterranean historic towns in general and Malta's historic cities in particular.