City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto
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A key finding from this study is that the recession rate of carbonate stones, which are prevalent in northeastern Italy's cultural heritage, varies significantly based on their textural features and mineralogical composition. Researchers subjected eleven types of carbonate stones to accelerated ageing tests simulating rainfall with different pH levels (pH ∼ 7 for Bologna and pH ∼ 6 for Stresa). Using confocal microscopy, they observed that differential recession is closely tied to calcite grain size, allowing them to define correction coefficients for more precise recession rate calculations. This method offers a rapid way to estimate future stone deterioration under specific environmental conditions, aiding in the evaluation of risk-based protection measures for historical structures.
Gough and Inaccessible Islands
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The study recommends Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for rock lobster populations in the Tristan group of islands, specifically focusing on the 2013/14 season. Due to increased workload and delays caused by the OLIVA incident, operational models could only be developed for Tristan Island, leaving assessments for Inaccessible and Gough Islands incomplete. The recommendations are based on available data, prioritizing Tristan Island while acknowledging limitations in broader coverage. This approach aims to balance immediate management needs with long-term sustainability, though it highlights gaps in comprehensive population assessments for the entire group.
Gough and Inaccessible Islands
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Rock lobster total allowable catches (TACs) for the Tristan group of islands, including Inaccessible and Gough, were recommended to increase for the 2015/16 season due to high catch rates exceeding operational management procedure (OMP) targets. Specifically, TACs for Inaccessible and Gough were raised from 73 MT to 77 MT and 100 MT to 105 MT, respectively. For Nightingale Island, despite unclear reasons for sustained high catch rates, projections remain positive even with a future TAC of 75 MT, leading to an increase from 65 MT. Conversely, Tristan’s 2014 catch per unit effort (CPUE) fell below OMP expectations, prompting a reduction in its TAC from 161 MT to 153 MT, with potential further decreases anticipated for subsequent seasons unless CPUE improves significantly. A more precautionary approach suggests setting lower initial TACs with mid-season reviews based on biomass surveys and CPUE data.
Bryggen
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A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) process initiated in 2019 has successfully reconciled the preservation of Bergen's Bryggen World Heritage site with the city's sustainable urban development strategy. This approach, involving collaboration between planning authorities, experts, and public hearings, demonstrates how water-related heritage can be integrated into broader sustainability goals while adhering to UNESCO standards. The HIA serves as a critical tool for implementing the UN Agenda 2030, balancing modern infrastructure needs—such as Bergen's new transport strategy—with the protection of historic harbor settings.
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
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This study demonstrates that conserving cultural heritage and promoting heritage tourism can complement sustainable regional development, rather than compete. It challenges the traditional dichotomy between preservation and economic growth by showing how Andong, South Korea—a city rich in UNESCO-listed tangible and intangible heritage—has successfully leveraged its cultural assets to boost local identity and economy without compromising authenticity. The research employs a qualitative approach, combining archival analysis, fieldwork, and observation, to trace Andong's cultural policies from the 1950s to the 2000s, revealing how digitization and reinterpretation of heritage can extend its value while preserving its integrity. A key insight is that 'existential authenticity,' rooted in tourist experiences rather than mere object preservation, offers a new paradigm for balancing conservation with development.
Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia
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A new Palaeolithic site, discovered at Al-Huwaidy village in the Ha’il region of northwest Saudi Arabia, extends our understanding of early hominin dispersal across Arabia. This unique site, located on a basaltic lava field near a palaeo-oasis and volcanic mountain, reveals a dense concentration of lithics, including handaxes, foliate handaxes, Acheulean cores, and flakes. The discovery challenges the previously held notion that such sites were confined to northern regions like the Nefud desert, demonstrating their presence in diverse landscapes across northwest Arabia. Conducted through ground archaeological surveys by the Paleodeserts and Disperse projects, this finding provides critical insights into the distribution and characteristics of Palaeolithic occupation in the region.
Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula
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Iberian Mesolithic social networks remained stable despite environmental, demographic, and cultural transformations. Researchers reconstructed these networks using ornaments as proxies for non-utilitarian mobility, applying Social Network Analysis to Early and Late Mesolithic phases (10,200 to 7,600 cal BP). The study found no significant differences in network topology between the two periods, indicating consistent interaction patterns. While most exchanges occurred within 300 km, certain ornament types like <em>Cystoseira rustica</em> and <em>Trivia sp.</em> exhibited long-distance distribution, suggesting varied scales of social integration.
Le Havre, the City Rebuilt by Auguste Perret
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Post-war reconstruction in France revealed a tension between modernizing ambitions and traditionalist preferences, with the Ministry of Reconstruction and Urbanism (MRU) wielding significant power to reshape cities despite local resistance. While MRU pursued urban planning reforms—such as road widening and land-use separation—its architectural approach under Raoul Dautry remained conservative, favoring established designs over modernist visions like those proposed by Le Corbusier in Saint-Dié or Auguste Perret’s conservative modernism in Le Havre. Only after 1950 did MRU align with CIAM principles and innovative construction methods, marking a shift from planning-focused modernization to architectural innovation.
Medina of Sousse
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Dar Echaraa, a 17th-century religious tribunal in the Medina of Sousse, has undergone a remarkable transformation from a decaying judicial site to a thriving contemporary cultural hub. Once abandoned after Tunisia's secularization and legal reforms, this historic monument—characterized by its wide courtyard, ochre-stone walls, and intricate carvings—was restored through UNESCO-backed initiatives involving local and international collaborations. The study assesses the impacts of this requalification on the monument's heritage value and cultural significance. By comparing its former judicial function to its current role as a space for events, seminars, and leisure, the research highlights how architectural conversion has revitalized Dar Echaraa, turning it into a symbol of dynamic heritage preservation and community engagement.
Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island
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A coral-killing sponge, Chalinula nematifera, has been documented across the Ryukyu Islands in Japan, including Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island. This species exhibits a broad substrate preference, thriving on scleractinian corals and occasionally octocorals, while also adapting to varying depths (0–24 m). Analysis of photographic records and specimens spanning over 20 years suggests its presence predates recent observations in Indonesia, indicating it is not a novel arrival. Researchers emphasize the need for comprehensive field surveys to establish baseline data on distribution and abundance, crucial for monitoring potential impacts on coral reef ecosystems.
Ogasawara Islands
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A recent study documents the first specimen-based record of the mantis shrimp species Gonodactylaceus ternatensis and expands the distributional records of three other species—Lysiosquilloides siamensis, Alimopsoides tuberculatus, and Busquilla plantei—in Japanese waters. Notably, this marks the first occurrence of Lysiosquilloides in Japan and the northern hemisphere for Alimopsoides. The research provides taxonomic diagnoses, ecological insights, and standard Japanese names for these species, contributing significantly to the understanding of mantis shrimp diversity in the Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands. This study enhances our knowledge of crustacean biodiversity in these remote and ecologically significant regions.
Península Valdés
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Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa), long-distance migratory shorebirds, exhibit strong site fidelity to Península Valdés, Argentina, during their northward migration (March–May). A standardized Site Fidelity Index revealed that these birds are most loyal to playas Blancas, Fracasso, and Colombo, with higher fidelity observed in the San José Gulf compared to the Nuevo Gulf. This pattern likely reflects greater trophic availability in the San José Gulf, underscoring its critical role as a migratory stopover site. The study employed encounter-reencounter data from individually marked birds across monitored beaches (2006–2013), providing a robust tool for conservation and management decisions. Such insights are vital for protecting these ecologically sensitive sites, which act as population bottlenecks.
Wadi Rum Protected Area
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Jordan's Wadi Rum Protected Area, renowned for its arid landscapes and film industry incentives, serves as a backdrop for high-budget science fiction films depicting extraterrestrial environments. This study critiques the cinematic portrayal of deserts as barren and lawless, arguing that such representations perpetuate colonial imaginaries of wastelands. It introduces the concept of 'extractive zones,' where topsoil is captured and circulated as high-definition images, highlighting the complex interplay of laws, labor, and cultural narratives in filmmaking processes.
Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian
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A reanalysis of the Zhuwobu Paleolithic site in North China's Huailai basin, part of the generalized Nihewan Basin, challenges previous dating estimates. Using the multiple elevated temperatures post-infrared (MET-pIRIR) procedure on potassium-rich feldspars, researchers determined that the cultural layer at this site was deposited approximately 280 ± 13 thousand years ago (ka), during Marine Isotope Stage 8 (MIS 8). This finding contradicts the earlier electron spin resonance (ESR) dating estimate of 504 ± 76 ka, suggesting the previous age may have been overestimated due to insufficient bleaching before burial. The study highlights the importance of refining dating methods to accurately assess the survival conditions and potential connections between ancient hominin sites in this region.
Costiera Amalfitana
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A new study reveals that the vaulted houses of the Amalfi Coast, characterized by their unique stone construction and roof extrados, hold significant historical and aesthetic value. These structures, shaped by medieval isolation and maritime trade, embody a blend of Mediterranean traditions and cultural influences. Through detailed architectural drawings, researchers identified key features linking these buildings to broader vernacular heritage while highlighting their inspiration for artists during the Grand Tour. The study underscores the importance of preserving this heritage to maintain the coast's harmony and splendor.
Nyungwe National Park
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After four decades of uncertainty, researchers have rediscovered the critically endangered Hill's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hilli) within Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. This rediscovery comes 40 years after its last documented observation in 1981 and provides hope for the survival of a species listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN due to its extremely small geographic range. The study, conducted from 2013 to 2020, employed cave roost surveys, capture surveys, and acoustic sampling to document bat species occurrence data, contributing 278 records from 10 bat species across 71 locations in or near the park. Notably, this research also reports the first record of Lander's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus landeri) in Nyungwe National Park and the first record of the Damara woolly bat (Kerivoula argentata) in Rwanda. The findings include the first acoustic echolocation signatures and phylogenetic information for R. hilli, offering new insights into its conservation status and ecological role.
Old City of Acre
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A new palaeogeographical reconstruction of the Akko coastal plain reveals that environmental changes, particularly sedimentary input and coastal progradation, significantly influenced the anchorage and settlement patterns at Tel Akko. The study found that the main anchorage areas shifted from the southern part of the tell during the 2nd Millennium BCE to the western area in the late-1st Millennium BCE (Phoenician-Persian period). This shift was likely a response to changing coastal dynamics, which also influenced settlement patterns noted in archaeological excavations. The research combines sedimentological and faunal analyses of radiocarbon-dated cores with ground-penetrating radar investigations and ceramic sherd identification to provide an up-to-date understanding of how the local population adapted to environmental pressures over time.
The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape
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A distinct architectural pattern emerges among the massive dolmens of the Causse de l’Hortus, characterized by systematic antichambers framed by entrance pillars and substantial tumuli. These monuments, including those at Lamalou, Capucin, and Feuilles, form a geographically cohesive group with uniform spatial organization despite variations in material use. Comparative analysis reveals that these dolmens differ from other Languedocian examples in their internal space management, suggesting a unique geocultural adaptation. The study highlights the functional and symbolic significance of antichambers in monumentalizing the structures while underscoring regional architectural diversity within Neolithic sepulchral traditions.
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System
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Research reveals the significance of natural shelters along the Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road System, in the southern extreme of the Tawantinsuyu Empire. These refuges served as essential stops for travelers ascending or descending to/from the Cristo Redentor pass. By analyzing chrono-stratigraphic data and archaeological materials—including ceramics, lithics, archaeobotanical, and zooarchaeological samples—the study reconstructs human activities, occupant origins, and the functional roles of these shelters. The findings highlight the adaptability and strategic use of natural landscapes in ancient Andean road networks.
Historic Centre of Naples
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Historic centres, such as those in Naples and Cairo, face significant challenges in solid waste management due to their unique urban fabric and fluctuating user populations. Poor waste management can lead to the deterioration of these culturally rich areas, threatening their Genius Loci—a term describing the unique spirit or essence of a place. This study proposes a regenerative framework that integrates urban regeneration strategies with waste management solutions, aiming to preserve the urban identity while addressing current social and economic aspects. By analyzing case studies from Naples and Cairo, the research outlines a potential approach that can be adapted by various stakeholders to mitigate waste-related issues in historic cities. The proposed framework offers a holistic strategy for sustainable urban development, balancing historical preservation with modern needs.
Fujian Tulou
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A regenerative design framework for Fujian Tulou has been proposed to address the challenges of abandonment and collapse while promoting sustainable development. This approach integrates spatial and constructive designs to meet modern lifestyle demands and enhance environmental adaptation capabilities. The framework aims to rethink human-earth relationships by offering resilient solutions that contribute to energy savings, carbon reduction, and heritage conservation. By revitalizing these traditional settlements, the study provides a long-term perspective for balancing cultural preservation with contemporary needs.
Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and the Technical Monuments in its Vicinity
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A study on the Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and its vicinity reveals that terrain fragmentation, higher altitude, and larger areas of forests and protected lands significantly enhance the potential for cultural ecosystem services (ES) in the Slovak Republic. The Brezno region emerged with the highest values across all evaluated categories, including recreation, tourism, landscape aesthetics, natural and cultural heritage, knowledge base, and regional significance. Despite substantial monetary potential, these regions show limited intensive utilization of cultural ES. The research employed a matrix system combined with geospatial data to assess these regional differentiations, offering insights into how biophysical factors influence the provision of cultural benefits in small pilot regions.
Coro and its Port
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A comprehensive survey of day-flying butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in three distinct Venezuelan regions—Coro (a semi-arid coastal area), Mérida, and Trujillo (both in the Andes)—revealed 44 genera and 57 species across six families. This study highlights the biodiversity of urban and semi-urban environments, emphasizing butterflies as effective indicators of ecological health. Researchers conducted random sampling using entomological nets between July 2020 and March 2021, capturing a diverse range of species, including representatives from Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, and Riodinidae. The findings contribute valuable baseline data for conservation efforts in these UNESCO-listed regions.
Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche
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Researchers document the first significant records of Spilogale angustifrons, a small carnivore, within the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Campeche, Mexico. Through 9000 camera-trap nights across four stations, they captured 18 photographs representing 15 independent events, revealing solitary male behavior and potential habitat use around artificial water sources. These findings expand the known distribution of S. angustifrons in the Yucatán Peninsula, suggesting its ecological role may be understudied due to limited surveys. The study highlights gaps in population and ecological data, emphasizing the need for targeted research to assess this species' conservation status within the UNESCO-listed site.
Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies
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A new interpretation of the Byungsan Neo-Confucian Academy, a 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site, challenges the conventional view that its borrowed scenery technique (chagyeong) reflects naturalness. Instead, it reveals the architectural framework as an ideological device designed to evoke an idealized Confucian vision of nature, akin to landscape imagery in poetry and paintings of the era. The study employs a 'picture and frame' conceptual lens to shift perspectives from naturalistic harmony to ideological manipulation, demonstrating how the Academy's architecture functioned as a scenographic tool to shape viewers' perceptions and imaginations of nature.
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
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The Schools of Living Tradition (SLTs) program effectively preserves and reinvents cultural landscape values amid rapid modernization, demonstrating that traditional practices can adapt to contemporary changes. Initially established to safeguard intangible heritage like the Ifugao Hudhud chanting tradition, SLTs have successfully integrated environmental imagery into crafts and textiles, preserving associative landscapes through language, color, and motifs. However, shifts in food production and education are transforming this mimicry of the landscape into a nostalgic memory, highlighting both the resilience and vulnerability of cultural heritage in dynamic environments.
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
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A significant pottery dump at Gebel Barkal, covering over 9500 square meters, provides evidence of ceramic workshops linked to the Great Temple of Amun during the Kingdom of Meroe (3rd–1st centuries B.C.). The highest concentration of rejected bread moulds—showing deformation, cracking, and melting—was found in the northwestern part, suggesting the workshop's proximity. These moulds, along with fragments of a Hellenized krater, indicate temple bakeries' extensive bread production for staff and pilgrims. This discovery refines our understanding of ceramic production and temple economy in ancient Sudan.
Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa
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A comparative analysis of Mexico's Talavera pottery and Peru's Nazca Lines reveals their shared role as cultural heritage elements that foster identity, development, and social cohesion. Both artifacts, representing pre-Columbian and colonial periods respectively, embody symbolic knowledge, values, and traditions unique to their regions. The study highlights how these manifestations transcend mere historical relics, serving as dynamic ingredients in the construction of national identity. By examining design relationships between Talavera's intricate patterns and Nazca's geoglyphs, researchers demonstrate their capacity to generate meaningful connections across time and borders, offering insights into Latin American cultural continuity.
Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces
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Despite significant investments in conservation, the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (HHRT) continue to experience unexpected degradation. This study reveals that unequal political and social power dynamics underlie this 'conservation paradox,' with power shifting among actors through relational networks and reshaping the natural environment via spatial planning decisions. Conservation discourse serves as a tool for establishing and exercising power, but spatial disparities in development opportunities lead residents to alter farming practices, threatening the site's sustainability. The research integrates political ecology frameworks to analyze actor networks, conservation narratives, and environmental impacts, offering insights into the complex interplay between heritage protection and local development.
Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
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This study challenges the long-standing academic dismissal of oral historical narratives as apocryphal, demonstrating that such accounts can be reliable and coherent when analyzed within their broader historical contexts. By examining a foundation story from Guanajuato, Mexico, set against the backdrop of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro—a historic trade route—the research reveals a parallel between traditional historiography and oral traditions, suggesting that neither should be disregarded. The approach involves contextualizing narratives to uncover shared themes and coherence, thereby redefining the validity of oral history in scholarly discourse.
Yungang Grottoes
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Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Northern Wei Dynasty grotto art, exemplifies the fusion of Indian Buddhist culture with indigenous Chinese traditions. This study reveals that its unique artistic charm stems from the organic integration of Xianbei cultural elements, showcasing an early form of localized Chinese grotto art. By analyzing statue models, architectural designs, and Buddhist sculptures, researchers demonstrate how Yungang Grottoes reflects a blending of Chinese and Western religious influences, offering new insights into the evolution of grotto culture and China-oriented Buddhism. The findings underscore its significance as both a cultural heritage site and a symbol of multicultural synthesis.
Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments
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Slovakia boasts a rich tradition of religious tourism, particularly centered around Marian pilgrimage sites. Of the 5925 known church and chapel patronages in Slovakia, 1762 are dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with 329 specifically consecrated to the Seven Sorrows of Our Virgin Mary. Field research identified six nationally significant pilgrimage sites: Marianka, Staré Hory, Levoča, Šaštín, Nitra, and Ľutina. These sites serve as sacred intersections where divine paths meet human journeys, reflecting Slovakia's deep-rooted Christian heritage. The study employed terrain reconnaissance alongside archival and parish document analysis to characterize these pilgrimage destinations, underscoring their cultural and perhaps international significance.
The Dolomites
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A religious attraction, the Trekking of the Thinking Christ, has successfully integrated into the Dolomites' mountain tourism landscape while raising ecological concerns. This case study demonstrates how such attractions can redefine tourist spots near UNESCO World Heritage Sites, blending spiritual significance with environmental sensitivity. The research employs a mixed-methods approach to explore the social dynamics behind the creation and reinvention of religious places outside traditional liturgical contexts. It highlights the tension between the growing demand for non-liturgical religious experiences and the preservation needs of fragile ecosystems, offering insights into sustainable tourism practices in protected areas.
Bagan
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A study employing high-resolution TerraSAR-X imagery identified millimetric-scale deformation hotspots and displacement anomalies in pagodas at the Bagan World Heritage site, linking them to land cover changes and seismic activity. By combining small baseline subset (SBAS) and persistent scatterer synthetic aperture radar interferometry (PSInSAR), researchers achieved precise monitoring across both landscape and monument scales—critical for heritage protection and sustainable development. This non-contact method offers a robust alternative where traditional field-based surveillance is limited, providing valuable insights into the structural stability of this culturally significant site.
Mudejar Architecture of Aragon
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A digital graphic repository of the Church of Santa María de Tobed, a prominent example of Mudejar architecture and church-fortress typology in Aragon, has been created using advanced photogrammetric and laser scanning techniques. This 3D point cloud model provides a detailed volumetric representation of the heritage site, enabling complex data visualization through web viewers like Potree, which leverage WebGL standards. The resulting product serves as a valuable resource for architectural inventories, offering large repositories of information that can be shared and accessed efficiently.
Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore
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Mughal architecture, particularly in the gardens of Lahore's Fort and Shalamar Gardens, ingeniously integrated water as both an aesthetic and functional element. This study reveals that Mughals used water—through lakes, canals, springs, fountains, and pools—not only for visual appeal but also to strategically regulate temperature in hot climates, demonstrating their mastery over environmental control alongside artistic expression. The research employs design analysis methods, combining fundamental and applied approaches, to dissect how water symbolized power while serving practical cooling purposes. Key findings highlight the technological sophistication behind Mughal garden design, particularly along Lahore's Grand Trunk Road, where water played a central role in shaping both form and function.
Hatra
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Research on the goddess Allat in Palmyra and Hatra reveals that her original cult image remained central and stable within temples, resisting changes even under Greek influence. Despite alternative representations or name interpretations (interpretatio Graeca), the goddess's iconography stayed distinct to her worshipped form. This study highlights the enduring significance of original cult statues in defining deities' characters and their roles in specific sanctuaries.
Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island
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A new study confirms reproductive isolation between two tideland snail species, Batillaria flectosiphonata and Batillaria multiformis, endemic to the Nansei Islands, Japan. Using microsatellite analysis, researchers demonstrated that B. flectosiphonata maintains distinct genetic boundaries despite sympatric distribution with its sister species on Amami-Oshima Island. The study also reveals a significant evolutionary shift in B. flectosiphonata: it is a direct developer, meaning its offspring hatch as miniature adults rather than passing through a larval stage—a trait that has independently evolved twice within the Batillariidae family in Japanese waters. Additionally, the lower genetic diversity observed in B. flectosiphonata compared to B. multiformis suggests long-term isolation within the Amami insular group may have constrained its genetic variation.
Iguaçu National Park
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A study analyzing 957 user reviews on TripAdvisor for Iguaçu National Park found overwhelmingly positive feedback (90.18%), with 3,422 comments highlighting scenic beauty, landscape landmarks, infrastructure, and activities as key strengths. Negative reviews, though fewer (9.82%), were noted for their complexity in management. Surprisingly, the park's UNESCO status was not a focal point in user evaluations. This research provides managers with actionable insights to enhance public use services and activities, leveraging online reputation data for improved conservation unit management.
Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
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A previously overlooked collection of archival and photographic sources from the 1930s reveals new insights into the research history of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra's cave complexes, particularly during a period when the site was repurposed for atheist propaganda. The study identifies three key source groups—press articles, documentary materials, and photographs—that provide evidence of archaeological and historical investigations conducted by researchers affiliated with the National Preserve. For the first time, glass negatives from the preserve's collection are introduced into scientific use, offering visual documentation of the research process. These sources allow for the verification and analysis of past research directions, participant roles, and outcomes, though their full informational potential remains unexplored.
Mount Taishan
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A significant advancement in ecological restoration, this study provides actionable strategies for the comprehensive management of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, and grasses (M-R-F-F-L-G) ecosystems at Mount Taishan. As part of China's national pilot projects for M-R-F-F-L-G ecological protection, the research analyzes the implementation of the Taishan project and identifies key challenges. By proposing targeted solutions, it offers scientific guidance to enhance systematic restoration efforts, contributing to broader ecological conservation in critical areas like the Yellow River basin.
Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement
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A novel evaluation model combining Spatial Syntax and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) effectively predicts road congestion in tourism scenic spots, addressing the disconnect between land-use and transportation planning. The study reveals that high-attractiveness areas in Kulangsu Island are concentrated along its edges, while the model accurately identifies issues with road distribution. By leveraging ANN's dynamic assignment and Space Syntax's accessibility analysis, the approach provides a robust tool for future tourism space management, offering insights into crowd flow patterns and network structure inconsistencies.
The Grand Canal
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Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) for the Zhenjiang section of the Grand Canal (ZGC) predominantly emphasize shipping traffic while downplaying its literary and artistic heritage. A network content analysis of WeChat official accounts revealed that cognitive images focus heavily on river courses and water transport, with positive but underrepresented emotional imagery. The study also identified a strong nostalgic characteristic in the ZGC's brand image, suggesting opportunities to enhance promotion around Song Dynasty heritage sites and river-related areas. These findings provide actionable insights for strengthening the ZGC's online presence and brand construction from a supply-side perspective.
Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement
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A composite model for smart scenic area development—'government-led, market-oriented, and construction-focused'—can address key challenges such as poor network coverage and fragmented data infrastructure. This approach, tested on Gulangyu Island (Xiamen), integrates regulatory frameworks, intelligence services, and resource protection to enhance visitor experiences while preserving heritage integrity. Field surveys identified critical gaps in connectivity and data management, leading to targeted recommendations for infrastructure, supervision, and marketing strategies.
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine
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A novel approach to understanding the resilience of Itsukushima Shinto Shrine against wave and storm surge impacts has been uncovered. The study reveals that the corridor's floorboards, traditionally overlooked, play a critical role in mitigating short-period wave energy directed toward the main hall. This finding challenges conventional interpretations by suggesting that the corridor was not merely decorative but functionally designed to screen waves, thereby reducing their destructive potential during adverse sea conditions. Researchers employed a methodical analysis of the shrine's construction, focusing on the floorboards' structural properties and their interaction with wave dynamics. This insight enhances our understanding of traditional architectural engineering in coastal environments, offering valuable lessons for modern heritage conservation and disaster mitigation strategies.
Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara
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Asuka Village, recognized as the cradle of Japan's statehood, has established a pioneering model for heritage preservation and utilization through its 'Traditional Scenic Beauty Preservation Plan' and 'Development Plan.' Over 40 years, these plans have guided the village's growth while safeguarding its historical resources. This study reveals that Asuka Village's approach balances preservation with development by analyzing changes in its Development Plan and examining three heritage improvement projects. It identifies evolving concerns and methods in heritage management, offering insights into how ancient villages can be preserved for future generations through strategic planning.
Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System
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A study at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, reveals that authenticity significantly boosts tourists' revisit intention through memorable experiences and emotional attachment to the site. Using cognitive appraisal theory, researchers analyzed data from 596 valid responses via structural equation modeling, demonstrating that perceived authenticity not only directly influences revisit behavior but also indirectly shapes it by fostering positive emotional connections with heritage destinations. This finding provides a theoretical framework for enhancing tourist loyalty in heritage tourism, offering actionable insights for site managers and policymakers aiming to sustain long-term visitor engagement.
Longmen Grottoes
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A stone tablet from the Longmen Grottoes, carved in 1903, provides valuable insights into the architectural and historical landscape of the late Qing Dynasty. The stele, known as Dalongmentu Stele, depicts the Xiangshan Temple and Qianxi Temple, offering a detailed visual record of their grandeur during Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu's visit. This rare artifact not only documents the efforts by Wen Ti, the Henan magistrate, to rebuild these temples but also serves as a significant reference for understanding Qing Dynasty architecture and history. The study highlights the stele's enduring importance in preserving historical narratives and architectural evolution.
Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites
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A study highlights the 'tourist dilemma' at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tomioka Silk Mill, revealing divergent perceptions among stakeholders that shape heritage management challenges. The research identifies how local actors, including residents and heritage officials, view tourism differently from visitors, leading to conflicts in site preservation and visitor experience. By analyzing stakeholder perspectives through qualitative methods, including surveys and interviews, the study underscores the need for balanced strategies that reconcile conservation with tourism development. This insight is critical for other World Heritage Sites facing similar pressures.
Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
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2022 —
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Mykola Viacheslavovych Kholostenko's groundbreaking research on the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, spanning decades (1952–1972), revealed critical architectural and construction details that had been obscured for centuries. He was the first to systematically classify bricks from the 11th to 17th centuries, uncovering previously unknown elements hidden behind later extensions. His work included reconstructing the cathedral's original dimensions, proportions, and plan, as well as recreating its original appearance—a feat achieved through meticulous analysis of archaeological remains and iconographic sources. These findings laid the foundation for the Lavra's restoration project (1998–2000), cementing Kholostenko's legacy as a pioneering figure in the study and preservation of Kyiv's architectural heritage.
