Restoring Suakin’s Historical Legacy: ICT Applications and Insights from Malacca’s Best Practices

Authors

  • Maha Mohani Fahmi Asst. Professor at Sudan University of Science and Technology, PC 11115, Khartoum
  • Yahaya Ahmad Professor, Dept of Architecture, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, PC 50603
  • Helena Hashim Asst Professor, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, PC 50603,

Keywords:

Heritage Informatics, Tourism, Ancient Cities, Architecture, Sudan, Suakin, Digital Technologies.

Abstract

Preservation of heritage sites is vital for safeguarding collective identity and transmitting cultural memory to future generations. Ancient cities, with their architectural heritage and intangible traditions, offer critical insights into humanity’s social, economic, and technological evolution. Their remains reflect the interaction of historical factors, including cultural values, political strategies, economic conditions, and societal practices. Conserving these sites sustains cultural narratives, fosters community identity, and supports local economies through heritage tourism. Suakin, once a prominent trade gateway on the East African coast, declined after the establishment of Port Sudan (1905–1909). Despite several conservation attempts, resource constraints hindered success. This study proposes a digital conservation strategy to revive Suakin’s historical legacy using Informatics-based technologies, with Malacca serving as a reference model. By creating a detailed virtual replica and knowledge base, the approach avoids intrusive reconstruction while facilitating restoration, cultural engagement, and economic development.

Author Biographies

  • Maha Mohani Fahmi, Asst. Professor at Sudan University of Science and Technology, PC 11115, Khartoum

    Maha. M. Fahmi is presently an Assistant Professor and coordinator of the postgraduates' studies at Sudan University of Science and Technology, College of Architecture and Planning. She graduated with a first-class honours degree in architecture and has worked as a practicing architect since then.  She earned her Master's degree in building science and PhD at the University of Malaya. Her area of interest includes sustaining cultural heritage for future generations' and enhancing architectural education via improving the teaching methods. She has presented conferences at Malaysia and Indonesia and has published a few papers.

  • Yahaya Ahmad, Professor, Dept of Architecture, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, PC 50603
    Yahaya Ahmad is a faculty member of Architecture and the Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya (UM). Starting his career at the University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), he shifted to the University of Malaya, where he established the Department of Architecture and the Faculty of Built Environment. He was involved in the drafting of the National Heritage Act (2005), Malaysia, headed a team of local and international experts to prepare the Nomination Dossier for Melaka and George Town as World UNESCO Heritage Sites, and headed expert teams in the reconstruction of Bastion Middlesburg, Melaka Fort. Was appointed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Council, India, as an International Expert to advise on the preparation of the Nomination Dossier for the Historic City of Ahmedabad (2011) and by the Government of the Republic of Maldives (2011) to prepare the Nomination Dossier of the Coral Stone Mosque of Maldives for the UNESCO World Heritage list.
  • Helena Hashim, Asst Professor, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, PC 50603,
    Helena Hashim is a Senior Lecturer in the Dept of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, Malaysia. She obtained her PhD in 2017 at the University of Malaya. She was the Head of the Architectural Department for several years. She is also a member of many national and international organizations and has several publications in the area of conservation.

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Published

2025-09-16

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025): HERITAGE INFORMATICS

Section

Articles

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