INTRODUCTION
The International Augmented Med (I AM) project is an international cooperation project involving fourteen partner organisations in seven countries around the Mediterranean Sea. It is funded by the 2007-2013 ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme. The 14 partners exchange expertise, support each other with technical assistance and develop joint activities to provide innovative services to the tourism sector in each of their countries. By supporting this key sector, they will assist economic development in the region.
The I AM project aims to establish a self-sustaining cross-sector cooperation network (linking experts in IT/multimedia and tourism promotion) which will develop innovative services for the enhancement of natural and cultural heritage sites. By doing so it aims to encourage a better geographical and seasonal spread of tourism arrivals and income thanks to the diversification of tourism products and tourism locations.
The innovative services consist in the application to a number of heritage sites of a variety of multimedia techniques in the field of Augmented Reality (overlaying virtual, digital elements on reality), including advanced interactive techniques.
For example:
– Videomapping (2D and 3D projections combined with sound and lighting effects ) on cultural heritage sites, monuments and historic buildings;
– Interactive videoinstallations at sites or related to sites (responding to voice and movement of viewer);
– Mobile applications (allowing a viewer to point a mobile phone camera at a site and display information or other virtual elements);
– 3D modelling and virtual reconstructions of archeological sites (to be viewed through AR goggles);
– Augmented Reality (3D pop-up) guide books.
FACTS
Programme priority: Sustainable Tourism
Duration: 36 months
Project start/end: 20 October 2012 – 19 October 2015
Total budget: € 3.060.650
ENPI CBC MED contribution (90%): € 2.754.583
Countries involved: 7 (Italy, Spain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Tunisia)
THE PROGRAMME
The 2007-2013 ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme is a Cross-Border Cooperation initiative funded by the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). It aims to promote sustainable and harmonious cooperation at Mediterranean Basin level by dealing with common challenges and enhancing endogenous potential. It finances cooperation projects to contribute to the economic, social, environmental and cultural development of the Mediterranean region. Fourteen countries participate in the Programme: Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Palestinian Authority, Portugal, Spain, Syria, Tunisia.
In 2010, a group of italian multimedia experts proposed this project in the field of Augmented Reality. The Original Team of technicians developping it consisted of:
- Lianne Ceelen-Montaleone (Expert in EU project development);
- Enzo Gentile and Paolo Servi (Anughea Studios – IT and multimedia specialists and AR experts);
- Anna Maria Monteverdi (University Professor, expert in new media and technologies for theatre);
- Liliana Iadeluca (University Professor and expert in lighting techniques).
The Municipality of Alghero (Mayor S. Lubrano, Project manager P. Alfonso, G. Calaresu andM.G. Fara) supported their plan becoming Lead partner of the project.
