Space observation for the sustainable utilization of world heritage sites along the silk roads: the routes network of Chang’an-Tianshan corridor

Heritage sites along the Silk Roads, particularly those in the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor, are generally in good condition despite facing challenges from urban development and climate change. A study leveraging space observation technologies revealed that while these sites remain well-preserved, significant expansion of construction land poses risks to their sustainability. The research employed an object-based deep learning method to detect human interference within protected areas and analyzed nighttime light changes to assess socio-economic development. Additionally, it evaluated environmental and climate variables to gauge flood disaster risks. The findings underscore the importance of vegetation coverage and water diversion measures in mitigating such risks, highlighting the efficacy of space observation in guiding government efforts for heritage protection under sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Tang, Y., Chen, F., Wang, H., Galdies, C., Chen, C., & Jing, L. (2024). Space observation for the sustainable utilization of world heritage sites along the silk roads: the routes network of Chang’an-Tianshan corridor. International Journal of Digital Earth, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17538947.2024.2402425