AI Expedition: Towards new challenges in built heritage valorization—A case study of the aesthetic experience in the M'zab Valley

Abstract

Situated in the arid landscapes of southern Algeria and Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1982, the ancient cities of the M'zab Valley embody a profound link between architecture, community, and the harsh Saharan milieu. The exploration of such intangible attributes that mirror human experience is necessary in appraising ancient built environments. This study aims to understand the aesthetic experience of the site’s visitors, essential to understand its intangible aspects. Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) a method based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the research systematically analyzes online reviews, revealing recurring positive keywords like "amazement" and "wonder."