Investigation of the underground Building heritage and the Mechanism of water flowing in quanats in Palermo through innovative surveying techniques

The paper outlines the challenges in valorizing, protecting, and preserving underground building heritage, particularly focusing on the intricate qanāt structures in Palermo. These structures, known as "horizontal wells" or "well tunnels," offer significant insights into the city's water culture throughout history. The research involves historical and constructive analyses, along with advanced measurement and 3D representation techniques, to initiate restoration efforts and reintegrate these qanāts into the heritage network. Supported by the iHERITAGE project, funded by the ENI CBC MED Programme, the paper presents initial restoration outcomes and a procedural workflow for data acquisition, analysis, and 3D virtual navigation of hypogeal environments. Utilizing SLAM technology and a virtual reality platform within UnReal Engine, the research enables immersive exploration of these underground spaces, supplemented by informative infographics for enhanced visitor engagement.