Rapa Nui National Park
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A study projects that the iconic Ahu Tongariki, part of Rapa Nui National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), could face seasonal wave inundation as early as 2080 under a high sea-level rise (SLR) scenario of 1.2 meters. Using XBeach in 2D non-hydrostatic mode, researchers simulated future wave environments and SLR impacts, finding that cultural assets at Tongariki are already vulnerable to wave run-up at current sea levels. Projections suggest the number of affected assets could triple by 2100, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptive measures across coastal heritage sites in Rapa Nui. The study highlights significant risks to tangible heritage from climate change and advocates for community-led mitigation strategies.
Upper Middle Rhine Valley
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A recent study reveals significant species-specific responses of four major timber species to warmer temperatures, highlighting the vulnerability of conifers compared to broadleaved species. Research comparing forest stands in northern Germany and the Upper Rhine Valley—where mean annual temperatures are 2°C higher—found that European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea) showed increased sensitivity to water stress, while Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) exhibited stronger negative responses to summer heat. Belowground, fine root biomass and productivity declined for beech, pine, and Douglas fir in the warmer region, whereas oak remained resilient with trends toward increased productivity and longevity. The study underscores the need for adaptive forest management strategies to enhance resilience under climate change.
Niokolo-Koba National Park
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Niokolo-Koba National Park (PNNK) in Senegal, established in 1954, challenges conventional narratives of colonial power by revealing its contested and multifaceted nature. This study, using original archival materials, demonstrates that the park's evolution was not solely dictated by French imperial authorities but was shaped by complex interactions among European administrators, international ecological scientists, local African villagers, and resistors at both local and imperial levels. The post-war context provided new opportunities for social control and economic development, yet the park's trajectory was also significantly influenced by local agency, environmental conditions, and emerging global conservation discourses. This research dismantles the notion of a 'colonial consensus' among Europeans and complicates the binary opposition between colonizer and colonized.
Mount Wutai
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Research reveals that Tang period (618–907) accounts of Mount Wutai, particularly those by Huixiang in the <em>Ancient Chronicle of Mount Clear and Cool</em>, are imaginative reconstructions rather than historical records. These narratives were crafted to invoke memories of Northern Dynasties rulers, shaping Mount Wutai into a sacred site of imperial Buddhism during the Tang era. The study employs close textual analysis to demonstrate how Huixiang and his contemporaries used these stories to legitimize and develop the site's religious significance.
Vilnius Historic Centre
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Late imperial Vilnius saw a systematic yet largely unsuccessful attempt by the tsarist elite to 'imperialize' its urban landscape, particularly through street names, as part of broader cultural appropriation efforts. This study reveals that despite intense state-led interventions—aimed at countering Polish influence—the local public resisted these changes, clinging to traditional place-names. The research combines critical place-name studies with the 'imperial turn,' demonstrating how imperial power dynamics shaped urban space in borderland towns, with Vilnius serving as a key case study of failed cultural assimilation.
Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana
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A pre-tectonic thermal event from the early Cretaceous, marked by a K–Ar age of 133–140 Ma and palaeotemperatures of 180–200°C, was identified in the Serra de Tramuntana of Mallorca using illite X-ray diffraction (XRD) characteristics and dating. This event reflects an extremely high geothermal gradient at the end of Mesozoic extension, predating the Oligocene–Miocene Alpine orogeny that shaped the mountain range. The study analyzed 16 samples from two outcrops, employing XRD, microscopy, microanalysis, and K–Ar dating on clay fractions. Pure volcanic rock samples yielded consistent ages, while contaminated samples confirmed the Cretaceous origin of the thermal event. Maximum palaeotemperatures during later tectonic burial were estimated to be below 250°C, preserving Cretaceous illite XRD features that indicate conditions near the diagenesis/anchimetamorphism boundary.
Rohtas Fort
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Pakistan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Rohtas Fort, Mohenjo-Daro, and Taxila, alongside its breathtaking landscapes like those in Gilgit-Baltistan, hold immense potential to attract global tourism. However, the country has struggled to realize this due to a lack of peace and security, which are critical for sustainable tourism growth. The study highlights that internal conflicts and instability have significantly hindered Pakistan's tourism industry despite its rich cultural and natural heritage. Over the past decade, efforts to restore peace have begun to improve the nation's image and stimulate tourism, suggesting a direct correlation between stability and visitor numbers.
Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe
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A novel perspective on the painted nave of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe Abbey reveals that the spatial organization and perception of its murals were significantly influenced by the monastic closure, which separated the clergy from laypeople. The study identifies a previously understudied partition in the third bay, marked today only by a painted bestiary, which defined the monks' space and altered their view of the western paintings. This finding challenges conventional interpretations of the nave's cycle of Old Testament scenes and sheds light on lesser-known murals visible only when exiting the church after facing west. By integrating the monastic closure into the analysis, the research offers a fresh understanding of the distribution of paintings and the function of the western tower-porch.
Durham Castle and Cathedral
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A large-scale, collaborative project successfully relocated Durham Cathedral's medieval archive while prioritizing preservation and addressing unique challenges. The initiative involved rigorous testing of packaging for shock absorption to mitigate transport turbulence and implemented weather-related mitigations. Beyond the move, it also enabled a comprehensive stock check and significantly improved the packaging of thousands of vulnerable items. This interdisciplinary effort showcased innovative, sustainable approaches that enhanced project efficiency. The study highlights the importance of preservation in large-scale archive relocations and offers practical solutions for similar projects.
Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir
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A unique exploration of climate justice as a form of political resistance emerges from the conversation between journalist Sheila Reid and three student journalists, centered around their live journalism piece 'Letter from Battir.' The work, developed during an international journalism course focused on food reporting through decolonial and community-based perspectives, sheds light on the struggles faced by the West Bank village of Battir. Presented at the 2023 International Live Journalism Festival, this piece highlights global climate issues, particularly in the context of Palestine's cultural landscape, offering a nuanced understanding of how local communities engage with climate justice as an act of defiance against systemic challenges.
El Tajin, Pre-Hispanic City
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El Tajín, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Veracruz, Mexico, is often overlooked in global archaeology despite its rich history shaped by Indigenous Totonac labor and extractive industries. This study reveals how the site's transformation into an archaeological landmark silenced local Indigenous histories and decenters traditional narratives focused on tourism or state involvement. By centering the experiences of Indigenous workers and communities, Sam Holley-Kline exposes the political economy behind El Tajín’s development, highlighting the often-invisible labor networks that sustain such sites. The research combines historical analysis with Indigenous perspectives to challenge dominant discourses, offering a nuanced understanding of El Tajín’s past beyond its ancient ruins.
Historic City of Ayutthaya
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A groundbreaking archaeological mission led by Jean-Yves Claeys in 1929, under the auspices of the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), revealed significant insights into Siam’s historic cities, including Ayutthaya. Despite working in the shadow of George Cœdès, Claeys contributed original observations and documentation, captured in a 1931 article and a silent documentary film now serving as a valuable archival record. This study revisits the mission's origins and its broader significance, highlighting its role in shaping EFEO’s relations with Siamese scholarly institutions during that era.
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System
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The Inca Empire, despite lacking an alphabetic writing system, developed sophisticated 'imperial algorithms'—the quipu and the Qhapaq Ñan—that enabled unprecedented spatial control, information management, and resource allocation. The quipu, a decimal positional knotted cord system, functioned as a data storage and communication tool, recording census details, tribute obligations, and narratives. Meanwhile, the Qhapaq Ñan, a 40,000-kilometer road network, facilitated rapid chasqui-runner communications, military logistics, and state control across the Andean terrain. This interdisciplinary study, integrating archaeology, ethnohistory, and systems theory, demonstrates how these systems were designed to sustain imperial cohesion and project power over vast distances, offering a unique model of ancient governance and logistical innovation.
Tasmanian Wilderness
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A study on the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area reveals that some wildlife species, such as brush-tailed possums, rufous-bellied pademelons, bare-nosed wombats, and black currawongs, increase their activity in response to low-level tourism-related disturbances. However, eastern quolls exhibit higher activity inside the tourist precinct but avoid areas with heavy traffic or buildings. The research suggests that while certain species may tolerate or even benefit from minor disruptions, potential adverse impacts like roadkill, food dependency, and disease could emerge as visitation rates rise. The study used camera traps to monitor wildlife activity during peak tourism seasons, analyzing data in relation to habitat type, proximity to roads and buildings, and precinct boundaries. Habitat type proved a stronger influence on wildlife activity than tourism disturbances, with forests being more preferred by most species.
Nyungwe National Park
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A 24-year study in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, reveals that fruit production synchrony among tree species has increased significantly since 2015, particularly for pioneer and non-pioneer light-demanding (NPLD) species. This shift toward greater synchrony coincides with higher fruit production, suggesting a shared response to environmental cues like irradiance. While shade-tolerant species showed less variation in fruiting patterns, pioneers exhibited the highest synchrony at mid-to-high elevations. The study highlights how changes in community-level fruit production can impact frugivore resource availability and ecosystem stability, with implications for biodiversity conservation.
Ellora Caves
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India's archaeological heritage, spanning from prehistoric settlements to Buddhist monasteries, reveals a rich tapestry of cultural, religious, and historical evolution. Key findings highlight the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley, characterized by advanced urban planning and trade networks, as well as the profound impact of Buddhism on Indian art, architecture, and intellectual discourse. The study emphasizes the syncretism between Greco-Roman and Indian artistic traditions, exemplified in sites like Ellora and Ajanta, where Buddhist and Hindu traditions coexisted. Modern archaeological techniques, including carbon dating and LiDAR, have significantly deepened our understanding of these sites, underscoring India's globally significant cultural legacy that extended beyond its borders to Central Asia, China, and Southeast Asia.
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement
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Le Corbusier's Chandigarh city project (1950–1960) exemplifies a groundbreaking synthesis of Western and Eastern modernist urban planning ideas, serving as a pivotal case study in the evolution of 20th-century architecture. The research identifies key socio-political and architectural design principles—integrated into master plans for pedestrian networks, transport systems, green spaces, and administrative centers—that reflect Le Corbusier's theoretical concepts while adapting to India's cultural context. This project stands out for its innovative approach, blending functionalism with aesthetic and political considerations, thereby influencing global urban development practices.
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
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Indigenous knowledge systems play a crucial role in sustainable forest resource management within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite rapid socio-cultural changes. The study reveals that customary taboos and restrictions effectively regulate hunting, fishing, gathering, and honey harvesting, contributing to biodiversity conservation. However, vulnerabilities such as biodiversity decline, erosion of intergenerational knowledge transmission, and increased reliance on monetary income are evident. A mixed-methods approach, including surveys (n = 80), focus group discussions, floristic inventories, and statistical analyses, demonstrated a highly structured socio-ecological gradient, indicating strong coupling between environmental perceptions, demographic identity, and livelihood strategies. The findings underscore the resilience of Indigenous Peoples but also highlight their exposure to ecological and cultural disruptions. Formal recognition of Indigenous institutions and integration of their knowledge systems into co-management frameworks are essential for strengthening ecological resilience and aligning conservation policies with global biodiversity and climate agendas.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
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Despite nearly four decades of joint management, the Anangu people of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park remain among Australia's poorest communities, revealing systemic inequities in tourism governance. This study demonstrates that settler logics of work and tourism prioritization systematically defer Indigenous benefits, embedding cultural biases into the park's geographies and temporal structures. Through historical analysis and qualitative interviews with Anangu, Parks staff, and tourism workers, researchers expose entrenched dynamics that marginalize Indigenous lifeworlds while offering a framework for transformation. The findings underscore the need for shared understandings of 'good work' in intercultural contexts to challenge settler colonial power structures in Indigenous tourism industries.
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests
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Environmental education remains underprioritized in Kenyan schools, with only one-third of teachers incorporating such topics into their lessons. A study found that teachers who had received environmental education themselves were more likely to integrate it into their teaching. However, there was a notable lack of emphasis on the conservation of Kaya forests for their spiritual heritage. Only those teachers with a personal connection to the local culture and Kaya forests recognized their high biological and cultural significance, underscoring the importance of integrating culturally relevant content in environmental education. The study recommends increasing the priority of environmental education in school curricula to foster awareness and preserve both biological and cultural diversity.
Dholavira: a Harappan City
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The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) defies conventional models of early urban governance, as it lacked monumental palaces or royal tombs yet exhibited sophisticated urban planning, standardized material culture, and extensive trade networks. This study proposes the concept of 'Indus Ingenuity,' suggesting that power was distributed among coalitions of elites, councils, or priestly figures rather than centralized under a single ruler. Archaeological evidence from sites like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dholavira reveals a society driven by collective decision-making, ideological consensus, and civic participation, maintained through ritual, mercantile influence, or shared civic ethos. The research challenges traditional narratives of ancient sociopolitical structures, offering new insights into the diversity of governance in pre-historic urban societies.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
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Phosphorus emerged as the critical limiting nutrient for periphyton growth in Plitvice Lakes National Park, significantly boosting chlorophyll a levels on substrates enriched with phosphorus or combined nitrogen-phosphorus treatments. The study, employing nutrient-diffusing substrates in situ, revealed that lower tufa deposition rates further amplified periphyton development, while macrophytes mitigated these effects, likely through flow modulation and root respiration. Although eutrophication did not directly alter tufa deposition, it influenced macrozoobenthos abundance seasonally, with gazers and detritivores dominating in phosphorus-enriched environments. Seasonal variations overshadowed the impacts of nutrient treatments on both autotrophic and heterotrophic communities, underscoring the system's sensitivity to environmental shifts.
West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou
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Digital technologies are transforming cultural tourism and heritage management, particularly in historically rich cities like Hangzhou. A study reveals that tools such as AI, big data, blockchain, AR/VR, and green technologies enhance visitor experiences, operational efficiency, and sustainability while posing challenges to digital equity and authenticity preservation. This research, based on a systematic literature review of 85 sources narrowed to 9 key studies using the PRISMA framework, provides context-specific insights for sustainable, inclusive, and culturally grounded smart tourism in Chinese heritage cities.
Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde
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Visual communication strategies significantly enhance visitor experiences and purchase intentions for cultural product replicas, particularly in museum settings. A study focusing on the Chengde Mountain Resort Museum found that incorporating visual elements resembling historical or imperial identities, along with technologies like VR and natural elements, positively influences consumer behavior. The research applied a deconstructed theory of planned behavior to analyze qualitative data from visitor reviews, revealing that these attributes stimulate cognitive and normative processes, driving desire for replicas. While the study was limited in scale, it suggests broader implications for future comparative research on visual communication's role in cultural product marketing.
Península Valdés
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Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) migrating from cold feeding grounds to warmer breeding grounds in Península Valdés, Argentina, experience reduced heat loss during early lactation by 26%, but this migration offers limited thermoenergetic benefits overall. The study found that body condition is a critical regulator of heat loss, with poor condition increasing heat loss beyond field metabolic rate (FMR), threatening survival. Gull-inflicted lesions significantly increase heat loss in small or poorly conditioned calves but have no effect on larger or better-conditioned whales. Researchers used unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry to measure body size, volume, and condition, combined with blubber-mass modeling and necropsy data, to estimate sensible and respiratory heat loss. This work highlights the complex interplay between environmental factors, body condition, and external stressors in whale thermoregulation.
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area
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Green marketing by eco-tourism providers significantly boosts tourists' intentions to visit sustainable destinations, primarily through fostering pro-environmental attitudes and trust in green destinations. A study of 317 tourists in Jiuzhaigou Valley, China, found that biospheric values—strong environmental concern—amplified the effect of destination trust on visit intentions, especially for high-value tourists, while eco-friendly attitudes consistently influenced intentions regardless of these values. The research applies customer engagement theory to show how meaningful green marketing interactions drive value co-creation and sustainable tourism behaviors. These insights offer actionable strategies for marketers and policymakers aiming to engage eco-conscious travelers effectively.
Historic Areas of Istanbul
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This study reveals that the concept of 'fetih' (conquest) serves as both an imaginative framework for heritage-making and a tool for ecological destruction, particularly in the context of Istanbul's historic Balat and Fener neighborhoods. It demonstrates how new inhabitants reinterpret and attach themselves to the area's native fig trees through this imagined heritage, while simultaneously contributing to its ecological degradation. The research connects ethnographic data with the interplay between cultural and ecological heritage, challenging traditional notions of heritage as solely human-centric. By analyzing these dynamics, it questions the social boundaries of heritage and highlights the consequences of neoliberalism on material and immaterial heritage in post-empire nation-states.
Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur
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Global megalithic structures, including the pyramids of Giza and the Bosnian Pyramid Complex, challenge conventional views on ancient technological capabilities. This study suggests that advanced geometric, astronomical, and engineering knowledge may represent either an inherited legacy or a lost cultural development. Through field investigations across Egypt, Lebanon, Peru, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, researchers analyzed precision, material manipulation, and large-scale construction techniques. Notably, the Egyptian pyramids' alignment accuracy, the transport of massive stones at Giza and Baalbek, and the Fibonacci-based astronomical correspondences in the Bosnian Pyramid Complex were examined. These findings imply that our understanding of prehistoric technologies may be incomplete, prompting a re-evaluation of ancient knowledge systems.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
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A collaborative One Health (OH) approach, implemented through Participatory Action Research (PAR), demonstrates significant potential for addressing interconnected environmental, animal, and human health challenges in the UNESCO-listed Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), Democratic Republic of Congo. This study highlights how co-constructed solutions—developed through sustained community partnerships—can enhance resilience against emerging pandemics while ensuring contextual relevance. The research underscores the importance of integrating local knowledge and power dynamics to overcome humanitarian implementation challenges, offering a scalable model for similar biodiversity hotspots.
Yin Xu
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A hybrid methodology combining semantic extension and shape grammar successfully innovates Yinxu bronze patterns while retaining traditional symbolism. This approach addresses symbolic complexity and form repetition by extracting cultural features and applying rule-based generative design, demonstrating adaptability to modern aesthetics without losing heritage significance. The study also highlights structural inertia in traditional pattern production, offering pathways for reactivation. A fuzzy evaluation model assessed the generated motifs based on innovation, expressiveness, and aesthetics, providing both theoretical and practical insights into the digital reinterpretation of cultural heritage motifs.
Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire
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Cumalıkızık, a UNESCO-listed Ottoman-era village in Bursa, demonstrates how innovative cultural tourism models can simultaneously preserve heritage and boost local economies. The study identifies key strategies that enhance visitor experiences while supporting sustainable economic growth for communities. Analysis of Tripadvisor reviews and Google restaurant ratings revealed actionable insights to differentiate Cumalıkızık's offerings, providing a blueprint for other culturally rich sites. This approach contrasts with traditional tourism models by prioritizing enrichment and sustainability, offering a scalable solution for heritage conservation through economic development.
Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian
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Location-based entertainment virtual reality (LBE VR) significantly enhances adolescents' engagement with Paleolithic heritage, as demonstrated by a study at the Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian. The research found that LBE VR facilitates deeper learning about early human history and culture through immersive, interactive experiences. Using semi-structured interviews with 57 secondary-school students (aged 15–17) who participated in an LBE VR program titled <em>I Am Ape-man: A Day into the Life of Peking Man</em>, the study employed a multiple-case qualitative design to assess the technology's educational impact. The findings provide empirical support for integrating LBE VR into Paleolithic site education, offering valuable insights for designing innovative educational applications and pedagogical strategies.
Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley
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A groundbreaking study demonstrates that UAV-based photogrammetry can generate highly accurate 3D models of archaeological sites, even in conflict or post-conflict zones like Afghanistan. Using Skydio’s X10 and S2 drones with low ground-to-surface distances (1–5 meters) and high overlap (75%-95%), researchers achieved millimeter-level precision (1 mm per pixel) for a 120m x 30m section of the fortified citadel of Shahr-i Zohak, part of Afghanistan’s Bamiyan Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. This method overcomes challenges such as UXO presence, limited accessibility, and lack of GPS connectivity by merging external (GPS-referenced) and internal (non-GPS) datasets. The findings highlight the potential for remote damage assessment in inaccessible regions, while also outlining practical guidelines and limitations for future applications in similarly challenging environments.
Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments
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A notable pattern emerges from the epigraphic landscape of the Pentapolitana cities during the Early Modern period: inscriptions served as a powerful medium for urban patricians to assert independence and reflect cultural developments shaped by Humanism, Renaissance ideals, and Protestant influences. The study highlights significant examples, such as the mid-16th-century depiction of Martin Luther in Levoča Town Hall, and early 17th-century inscriptions that underscore bourgeois aspirations. Sepulchral monuments, a dominant form of epigraphic expression, provide rich prosopographical data, including biblical quotations valuable for ecclesiastical research and literary works like epicedia. The analysis draws on these monuments to reconstruct the inscriptional culture's evolution, offering insights into the region's intellectual and social dynamics.
Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago
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A groundbreaking survey of insect diversity in the mangrove forests of Cat Ba National Park, Vietnam, reveals 163 species across 11 orders, with eight new to science and four newly recorded for Vietnam. Hemiptera dominated the findings (37 species), followed by Lepidoptera and Diptera, underscoring mangroves as critical biodiversity hotspots. Multi-method sampling—sweep nets, light traps, and yellow pan traps—identified sweep nets as most effective, particularly for Hemiptera and Hymenoptera, while light traps excelled at capturing Lepidoptera. This study provides the first comprehensive baseline for insect diversity in Cat Ba's mangroves, offering insights applicable to understudied Southeast Asian ecosystems.
City of Quito
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A significant perception of insecurity among tourists, driven by factors such as informal commerce, homelessness, micro-trafficking, and poor urban conditions, is hindering tourism development in Quito's Historic Center. This study identifies these social problems—unprecedented in Ecuador's capital—as critical barriers to progress. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combined qualitative bibliographic analysis with quantitative surveys of tourists to systematically map these issues. The findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to address insecurity, offering actionable insights for urban planning and tourism management in UNESCO-listed sites facing similar challenges.
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
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Two-thirds of mountain guides in the Canadian Rockies report that recent revisions to Parks Canada's National Park Guided Business Licence (NPGBL) program have unintentionally reduced their adaptability while increasing administrative burdens, undermining the efficacy and equity of climate change adaptation efforts. The study, which combined semistructured interviews with 30 guides, policy analysis, and key informant interviews with seven stakeholders, identified that the revised regulatory framework and implementation mechanisms hinder adaptive capacity. Findings suggest that fostering horizontal and vertical social capital—integrating local knowledge holders like mountain guides into decision-making processes—could mitigate these institutional barriers. This research provides actionable insights for land managers and guiding organizations globally, where guiding professions face dual pressures from climatic and institutional changes.
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
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Local communities' intangible cultural heritage offers a counterpoint to official narratives at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gebel El-Barkal, revealing complex, lived meanings that transcend global and national symbolism. Through ethnographic and phenomenological methods, this study demonstrates how ethnicity, religion, social class, gender, and age shape diverse community perspectives on heritage—often in tension with authorized discourses. The findings challenge elite-driven heritage management, advocating for inclusive, bottom-up approaches that integrate local knowledge systems while preserving global significance.
Prambanan Temple Compounds
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A culturally embedded science learning model, integrating ethnoscience and ethnopedagogy, demonstrates significant potential to enhance conceptual understanding and character development in students. The study identifies scientific phenomena—such as chemical reactions in natural dyes, heat transfer in wax processing, and ecological processes in temple architecture—within traditional batik production and the Prambanan Temple Compounds. These phenomena are linked to key science concepts like states of matter, diffusion, oxidation, and ecosystem dynamics, providing a contextualized approach to learning that aligns with the Merdeka Curriculum's emphasis on authentic, culturally responsive education. The proposed five-stage model—spanning cultural orientation, scientific exploration, experimentation, reflection, and character strengthening—shows promise in fostering both scientific literacy and values such as patience, accuracy, and environmental awareness.
Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht
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A design workflow for sustainable heat transition in historic city centers, including UNESCO-listed areas, has been developed. This approach integrates conservation-compatible retrofitting with energy planning to achieve natural gas-free heating by 2040 while preserving architectural heritage and improving thermal comfort. The method combines GIS data, bottom-up energy modeling, and parametric tools to assess optimal retrofitting scenarios, local heat grid configurations, and thermal storage integration. By balancing heritage conservation with sustainability goals, the workflow provides actionable insights for stakeholders and citizens in driving collective transitions toward low-carbon heating and cooling.
Lena Pillars Nature Park
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Integrated environmental management in the Khangalassky Ulus of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) reveals complex, interdependent challenges and solutions across forestry, agriculture, conservation, indigenous traditional practices, and industry. The Lena Pillars Nature Park emerges as a critical site for geological and historical preservation, while 8 Evenk tribal communities sustain traditional lifestyles on over 600,000 hectares of protected land. Forest lands dominate the landscape (73%), but agriculture (2%) and conservation areas (>17%) hold significant economic and social value. Mining activities, primarily for building materials, further shape industrial management. The study identifies trends in balancing resource extraction with preservation, emphasizing the need for sustainable development in this understudied Arctic region.
Srebarna Nature Reserve
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Srebarna Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar wetland of international importance, faces significant ecological challenges including eutrophication, invasive species proliferation, and climate-induced desiccation. Despite these pressures, conservation efforts in 2022–2023—such as sediment excavation, canal unblocking, and reed harvesting—aimed to restore water quality and habitat heterogeneity. Advanced remote sensing techniques, including UAS-based LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry during low-water seasons, along with sonar bathymetry, were employed to monitor these interventions. The study generated high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) and orthomosaics, enabling precise tracking of hydrological changes, sediment dynamics, and vegetation shifts across the 981.5-ha lake and floodplains. These methods provide a robust framework for assessing restoration effectiveness and long-term ecosystem resilience.
Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape
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The Tokaj Wine Congresses, held in Sárospatak, Hungary, in 2022 and 2024, established a transdisciplinary platform for integrated vine and wine science aimed at regenerative sustainability. This initiative brought together experts from viticulture, oenology, organic agriculture, byproduct utilization, wine economics, tourism, and cultural heritage conservation to foster holistic, actionable knowledge. The Congresses served as an international forum for sharing cutting-edge research and practical insights, bridging gaps between scientific disciplines to advance sustainable practices in the Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape.
Old Walled City of Shibam
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A comparative analysis of disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies reveals significant gaps between global frameworks and local implementation, particularly in conflict-affected or resource-limited Islamic heritage sites. While international efforts are critical for post-crisis recovery, long-term resilience hinges on local capacities, traditional knowledge, and community-based preventive measures. The study highlights successful cases where integrated planning and engagement with local communities have enhanced heritage protection, offering practical insights for policymakers, heritage professionals, and DRR planners.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
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A comparative analysis of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP), a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP), on UNESCO’s tentative list, reveals that integrating an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework significantly enhances marine protected area (MPA) management. The study highlights TRNP's superior governance structure and social engagement as key factors in its effective conservation outcomes compared to ARNP. Using document analysis, researchers evaluated policy documents, management plans, and stakeholder reports from both sites, identifying gaps and best practices. This approach underscores the importance of a holistic ESG framework in achieving sustainable marine conservation, offering valuable insights for other MPAs globally.
Lower Valley of the Omo
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Future climate and land use changes could significantly impact the Omo–Gibe River Basin, Ethiopia. Research predicts up to 24% reduction in rainfall and a 21% increase in evapotranspiration by 2080 under various scenarios. Maximum temperatures (Tmax) are projected to rise by 5.1% to 20.7%, while minimum temperatures (Tmin) could increase by up to 48.2%. These changes may alter surface and subsurface hydrology, reservoir sedimentation, hydroelectric power generation, and agricultural production. The study integrated historical meteorological data, projected land use/land cover changes from MOLUSCE, and climate scenarios from CMIP6 global models. It evaluated model performance using metrics like Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and the coefficient of determination (R2). Recommendations include developing robust water resource management plans, promoting afforestation, and strengthening monitoring systems to mitigate long-term ecological impacts.
Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
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2025 —
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A hybrid documentation framework combining manual and digital techniques enhances heritage preservation accuracy and architectural education quality. This approach, demonstrated through the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas—a UNESCO World Heritage nomination project—integrates traditional methods like measured drawings with advanced technologies such as drone imaging and GIS. Unlike current practices in India, where digital tools are often treated as supplementary rather than foundational, this framework promotes deeper cultural engagement and student competency by balancing hands-on learning with cutting-edge technology. Aligned with international standards, it offers a scalable solution to bridge the gap between manual documentation traditions and modern pedagogical needs.
Historic City of Yazd
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2025 —
WHE15B094EB13
Urban planning in historic Yazd, Iran, faces significant spatial inequities, with essential services like healthcare and education concentrated in the city center while outskirts remain underserved. A study reveals no correlation between neighborhood density and accessibility to these services within a 15-minute walking distance, challenging assumptions about proximity-based urban design. By integrating local population preferences into a customized 15-minute city index, researchers identified distinct spatial patterns that highlight disparities in access. This approach offers a framework for targeted interventions to foster equitable, sustainable development, promoting healthy communities by prioritizing localized needs and patterns.
City of Safranbolu
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2025 —
WHE2F9D5BAAD1
Urban development in Safranbolu, Türkiye, has led to a loss of historical harmony, with new constructions failing to integrate with the city's old architectural fabric. A case study of Değirmenbaşı Street reveals that while modern buildings adhere to building order and height regulations, they lack cohesion in façade characteristics, contributing to urban degeneration. The research, based on on-site observations, photographic documentation, and archival data, underscores the need for conservation strategies that respect existing conditions and preserve urban identity. This study highlights the challenges of balancing rapid development with heritage protection.
Historic Cairo
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2025 —
WHE6B676F69F6
A pioneering approach to integrating Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in the historic district of ElMosky, Cairo, demonstrates how tailored urban interventions can address contemporary mobility challenges while preserving cultural heritage. The study identifies critical issues such as traffic congestion and outdated public transportation, proposing solutions like pedestrianizing key streets, creating green spaces, and expanding transit connectivity—all informed by community feedback and field observations. This research offers a framework for sustainable urban growth in historic settings, balancing modern mobility needs with the protection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
