A systematic review of geographical information systems for the conservation of historic settlements

Historic settlements are complex socio-spatial systems and cultural landscapes that require conservation approaches extending beyond asset-based heritage protection. Although Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly applied in cultural heritage research, their contribution across different stages of conservation management at the settlement scale remains insufficiently synthesized. This study offers a systematic literature review of GIS applications in the conservation and management of historic settlements in both global and Indian contexts. By applying the PRISMA 2020 model, we analyzed the literature from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, which resulted in 88 peer-reviewed case studies. The paper discusses the role of GIS-based spatial analysis tools in assisting the stages of conservation management, including identification, assessment, policy formulation, and action planning. Applications are categorized into six thematic domains. According to research, GIS is mainly used for documentation, mapping, and spatial analysis, and only a small part of it is used in policy and implementation phases. Static analyses and inconsistent integration of the social, intangible, and governance dimensions continue and differ across contexts. If integrated properly with planning and governance frameworks, GIS has the potential to become a decision-support system for the conservation of historic settlements.