Employing Community Engagement in Heritage Preservation
Examine how lost Egyptian urban heritage can be reconstructed using contemporary methods during an Erasmus exchange at Arts University Plymouth. Eslam ElShamy, an Egyptian architect and Master of Integrated Design student at Anhalt University in Dessau, developed a project that uses workshops, archival research, and immersive media to explore collective experiences of lost heritage. This work is part of the MADesign (Built Environment) program, which emphasizes practice-led research, co-design, and experimentation within a multidisciplinary setting.
ElShamy’s project specifically targets Egyptian heritage, with a focus on cities such as Imet, Tanis, and Thonis-Heracleion in the Nile Delta. These locations, while historically significant, receive limited attention compared to more famous Upper Egyptian monuments. By integrating community voices and new technologies, the project aims to democratize the process of heritage visualization and reconstruction.
Conducting Public Workshops in Plymouth
During his time at Arts University Plymouth, ElShamy conducted two public workshops that served as the foundation for this research. The first workshop took place at the university’s Postgraduate Centre, while the second was held at Market Hall in Devonport. Participants from diverse backgrounds were invited to contribute ideas and narratives that shaped the project’s direction.
The workshops were designed with the belief that communities should be active participants in heritage preservation rather than passive recipients of information. This approach generated richer and more unexpected outcomes, as participants brought emotional and associative responses that influenced the project in real time. The sessions produced concept sketches and narrative fragments that later informed the development of a VR immersive experience.
Integrating AI with Archival Research
Artificial intelligence plays an early role in the process, but it functions within a framework that prioritizes archival research, community involvement, and expert validation. AI generates visual and narrative elements that are continuously tested against historical evidence. This ensures that the creative output remains grounded in factual data while still allowing for innovative interpretations.
According to ElShamy, AI acts as a creative partner rather than a producer of final outputs. The main challenges involve mitigating bias and maintaining coherence, which is why archival evidence remains the backbone of the project. Human involvement, including community input and expert validation, is essential to keep the process honest and grounded.
Benefits of an Erasmus Exchange at Arts University Plymouth
ElShamy chose to develop his thesis through an Erasmus exchange at Arts University Plymouth due to the institution’s strong faculty and support for experimental, interdisciplinary work. The teaching environment, conversations with staff and students, and access to specialized facilities all contributed to the project’s evolution.
Key resources included the animation studios and the FabLab South West, where significant time was spent refining the project. Participation in international Fab City workshops further connected the initiative to broader discussions on open-source practices and community-led approaches. Guidance from Professor Stephanie Owens and course leaders Martial Bugliolo, Jason Hirons, and Becky Dodman Wainwright was critical in shaping the final outcome.
Presenting Outcomes in the Market Hall 360-Degree Dome
Following the workshops, the project moves toward presentation in the Market Hall 360-degree dome in Devonport. The goal is to create an immersive environment where visitors feel as though they have stepped into another world—one that is immersive, unfamiliar, and thought-provoking. The aim is not to provide definitive answers about the past but to create space for uncertainty and open-ended reflection.
ElShamy views the project as a replicable framework that can be adapted for other contexts. As it develops, it opens possibilities for larger installations, collaborations, and platforms where other communities can engage with and reinterpret their own lost or overlooked histories.
Exploring MADesign (Built Environment) at Arts University Plymouth
The MADesign (Built Environment) program at Arts University Plymouth supports students in developing a distinctive practice through co-design and research focused on spatial design, material thinking, systems-thinking, and emerging technologies. The course is structured to encourage experimentation and real-world engagement, making it suitable for students interested in immersive environments, scenography, material innovation, and related disciplines.
ElShamy’s project demonstrates how such a program can facilitate meaningful exploration of heritage, participation, and technology. By combining these elements, students can produce work that is both innovative and grounded in community values.
Consider how immersive media and community collaboration could enhance your research or professional practice. Explore the MADesign (Built Environment) program at Arts University Plymouth to see how it supports practice-led projects that engage with real-world challenges.
Submit your application today to join a community of makers and thinkers dedicated to innovative approaches in design and heritage.
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