City information modelling for preserving heritage under environmental vulnerability in the oasis of Figuig

In light of the impacts of climate change and the demands of heritage management and conservation, the use of emerging technologies is now a necessity. Over time, climate change has generated negative effects that have particularly affected the historical fabric of North Africa’s semi-urban contexts. This paper aimed to demonstrate how the integration of City Information Modelling (CIM) methodologies into the management of the historical heritage of oasis towns can be effectively implemented according to a frugal paradigm, responding to the specificities of contexts characterised by limited technological infrastructure and significant constraints in terms of economic resources and specialist skills. The study focuses on a historic district of the Figuig Oasis in Morocco, one of the most emblematic cases, known for its severe deterioration and the presence of unusable documentation in the form of documents and reports. The study’s workflow was developed using OpenBIM and OpenGIS and hosted in a Common Data Environment. The study arose from a recurring request from decision-makers for less costly, scalable, and rational tools for heritage management. The methodological framework aligns with global efforts for heritage conservation, contributing a reproducible reference approach for similar contexts affected by climate change.