Sustainable Enhancement of Setif's Archaeological Heritage: An Innovative Approach Using 3D Modeling and Metavers at the Raffaoui Garden

Abstract

This preliminary study presents the three-dimensional (3D) digitization of Raffaoui Garden in Sétif, Algeria, as a strategic approach to promoting cultural tourism and enhancing the city's historical and archaeological heritage through integrated strategies for documentation, conservation, and public dissemination. To address the site's ongoing deterioration and risk of neglect, the study proposes a systematic methodology that begins with a comprehensive analysis of the historical development of Sétif. The Nymphaeum and its associated archaeological remains were digitally documented using photogrammetry and a Leica terrestrial laser scanner, creating a high-resolution digital record of the site. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology was subsequently employed to map Sétif's archaeological resources and support the development of an integrated archaeological tourism network. Finally, the study proposes the incorporation of Raffaoui Garden into a sustainable tourism framework through the creation of historical, archaeological, and natural heritage trails, complemented by the revitalization of the historic city center through an archaeological heritage trail linking the principal monuments of Sétif's Intramuros.