World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 2001 – 2020 of 15962 publications

Enhancing the Visitor Experience with Immersive Technologies and Gaming: The Monserrate Use Case

Cultural Landscape of Sintra — 2025 — WHEA0C1A56982

Immersive technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), significantly enhance visitor engagement at cultural heritage sites. A proposed AR/VR-based Web app for Monserrate Palace, a UNESCO-listed site in Sintra, Portugal, demonstrates this potential by offering interactive storytelling and immersive experiences that deepen the connection between visitors and historical narratives. The study explores how these technologies can address challenges in traditional tourism, such as limited visitor engagement, while addressing technical constraints and preservation concerns. Findings suggest that AR and VR not only enrich the visitor experience but also create memorable and enjoyable interactions with cultural heritage, making them valuable tools for modern audiences.

Enhancing the Waterfronts of the Sayilah of Old Sana’a

Old City of Sana'a — 2025 — WHE6E5EF5CADE

Waterfronts in the Sayilah of Old Sana'a significantly contribute to the sustainability and enhancement of architectural heritage, fostering cultural awareness while improving urban quality of life. These waterfronts serve as a bridge between historical identity and contemporary needs, offering aesthetic and environmental benefits that strengthen the visual and functional interaction between the city and its heritage. An analytical case study approach revealed their potential for integrated preservation strategies, recommending policies to protect them from degradation and reactivate their role as vital environmental components within Old Sana'a's boundaries.

Enhancing Visitor Experiences at Religious Tourism Sites in Thailand

Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat — 2025 — WHE289BFDB4D1

A study on Thai tourists' experiences at religious tourism sites, including Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, reveals four key dimensions shaping visitor satisfaction: enjoyment, learning, aesthetics, and escape. Enjoyment arises from activities like sightseeing and merit-making festivals, while learning is fostered through historical narratives and hands-on experiences such as meditation. Aesthetic value is tied to architectural beauty, and escape offers mental rejuvenation in serene surroundings. These dimensions highlight the interplay of emotional, spiritual, and cultural elements in creating meaningful experiences. The research used thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 23 Thai tourists at three Buddhist temples in Phitsanulok Province, providing actionable insights for tourism planners to balance visitor engagement with cultural preservation.

Enhancing visual attribute comprehension of urban heritage landscapes using combined GIS-based visual analysis methods: West Lake as a case study

West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou — 2025 — WHEBE7104886A

A combined GIS-based visual analysis framework reveals that only two of ten potential city-to-lake visual corridors remain unobstructed in Hangzhou's West Lake, highlighting unmanaged vegetation as a critical barrier. This multi-method approach—integrating cumulative viewshed (CV), visual magnitude (VM), field of view (FOV) analysis, and street-view image (SVI) segmentation—exposed intentional spatial design strategies in high-visibility zones while also identifying 37 landscape types along lakeside roads where vegetation obstructs views. The study underscores the limitations of single-method analyses, such as SVI's insensitivity to topographic variation, and demonstrates that integrating multiple visual analysis methods provides deeper spatial insights for heritage conservation and urban planning.

Enigmas of the Ancient Jesuit Guaraní Missions

Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil) — 2025 — WHE3D6F5B454A

This study sheds light on the enduring cultural and historical significance of the Jesuit Guaraní Missions through an artistic and autobiographical lens. It explores the (re)signification of visualities at the site of São Miguel Arcanjo, capturing the nuances of genuine discovery during photographic expeditions. The research highlights the unique hybrid culture that flourished in the missions during the 16th to 18th centuries, combining European and Indigenous elements, and the subsequent disruption caused by colonial policies. It also delves into the symbolic significance of natural elements, such as the burrowing owl and the Guarani Aquifer, and their connection to the site's history and cultural heritage.

Ensemble-Based Susceptibility Modeling with Predictive Symmetry Optimization: A Case Study from Mount Tai, China

Mount Taishan — 2025 — WHEB5C1487FF8

A novel ensemble-based susceptibility modeling approach with predictive symmetry optimization achieves superior accuracy (AUC = 0.964) for geological hazard prediction at Mount Tai, China, outperforming individual machine learning models (max AUC = 0.927). This method addresses small-sample constraints by dynamically weighting models (MLP and XGB) based on output symmetry, reducing bias while maintaining robustness across six algorithms (LR, MLP, RF, GBDT, XGB, SVM). Key drivers of geohazards—elevation, slope, topographic wetness index, and road adjacency—were identified, with high-susceptibility zones concentrated in southeastern terrain and road-intensive areas. The approach combines grid search for hyperparameter tuning and SHAP values for factor contribution quantification, offering a scalable solution for small-sample risk assessment.

Enset Landraces: Conservation, Distribution, and Use in an Enset‐Based Agricultural System

The Gedeo Cultural Landscape — 2025 — WHE9CCE506C3E

Enset, a vital food security crop for over 25% of Ethiopia's population, supports diverse landraces adapted to varied ecological conditions, serving as food, animal feed, medicine, and fiber. A study across Hadiya, Gedeo, Gurage, Kembata Tembaro zones, and Basketo Special Woreda revealed moderate to high enset landrace diversity, with 274 vernacular names recorded but only 106 actively cultivated. Despite this, no significant differences in diversity were observed among sites. Food value was identified as the primary driver of landrace selection and abundance. The research employed in-depth interviews, surveys, group discussions, and field observations to analyze distribution and richness using Simpson’s diversity, Shannon–Wiener, and Margalef’s indices. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining landrace diversity and traditional knowledge for sustainable enset agriculture, resilience, and food security.

Environmental factors on microalgal resuspension and dynamics in tidal flats on the west coast of Korea

Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats — 2025 — WHE200FB89627

A dynamic balance exists between microalgal biomass exchange and tidal cycles in Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats. Environmental factors such as strong winds, waves, and heavy rainfall significantly enhance resuspension, while site-specific sedimentary settings and diel cycles influence microalgal flux. This near-equilibrium highlights the complex interplay of environmental conditions shaping coastal carbon cycling. The study employed a combination of field observations and modeling to elucidate these processes, offering insights into the ecological dynamics of tidal flats.

Environmental influence on the spatial abundance of tiger prey monitored using camera traps in Thap Lan and Pang Sida National Parks, Thailand

Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex — 2025 — WHE4B792538E4

A study in Thailand's Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex reveals critical environmental factors influencing the spatial abundance of five key tiger prey species: gaur, banteng, sambar deer, muntjac, and wild boar. Using advanced camera-trap data analysis models (REST and Royle-Nichols), researchers found that vegetation cover, proximity to human settlements, elevation, and salt licks significantly impact prey densities. Muntjac and wild boar consistently showed higher densities, with estimates ranging from 1.05 to 3.06 individuals per km² depending on the model used. These findings provide a novel framework for predicting animal density, offering crucial insights for conservation strategies aimed at sustaining tiger populations in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Environmental perceptions in rock art: the Serra da Capivara and Serra das Confusões national parks, Brazil

Serra da Capivara National Park — 2025 — WHE52738BFF9A

Rock art in Brazil's Serra da Capivara and Serra das Confusões National Parks reveals ancient environmental perceptions, suggesting a wetter climate 20-25 thousand years ago. The study, using Landscape Archaeology, interprets phytomorphic and zoomorphic representations—like the Blastocerus dichotomus—as paleoenvironmental indicators. It also contributes to the debate on the peopling of the Americas, particularly at Toca do Boqueirão da Pedra Furada, while contrasting Western scientific perspectives with indigenous views that see petroglyphs as containing hidden languages.

Erasmus Students’ Engagement with UNESCO Heritage Sites and Consumption of PDO/PGI Products: a Comparative Study of Poland and Slovenia

Škocjan Caves — 2025 — WHE76FBBA72F5

Erasmus students show strong engagement with UNESCO World Heritage Sites and local PDO/PGI products, driven by curiosity and academic mobility. A comparative study of Poland (Malbork Castle, Wieliczka Salt Mine) and Slovenia (Škocjan Caves, Ljubljana) revealed shared patterns in cultural tourism preferences while highlighting unique regional influences. Survey data from the University of Gdańsk and the University of Primorska, combined with field studies at key sites, demonstrated students' motivation to explore heritage landscapes and support local gastronomy. The findings suggest opportunities for heritage management and tourism marketing to enhance international student experiences, reinforcing education's role in cross-cultural connections.

Értékek és örökség Hollókőn

Old Village of Hollókő and its Surroundings — 2025 — WHE6F65F90E08

Hollókő's cultural heritage, encompassing both tangible and intangible elements, plays a pivotal role in the sustainable development of rural areas. While cultural tourism offers economic benefits by leveraging this heritage as a global attraction, its massification poses risks to the site's authenticity, condition, and value. The study reveals that the increasing tourist influx can degrade the heritage's integrity, disrupt local tranquility, and threaten long-term sustainability. Through surveys and interviews with key stakeholders, the research maps Hollókő's heritage history—its exploration, preservation, and tourism utilization—across different eras, reflecting societal processes. It also assesses the current state of the site, highlighting both its global visibility as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the challenges arising from its elevated status.

Escenario estético del paisaje y vida del Canal du Midi, Francia

Canal du Midi — 2025 — WHEEFFB604F2B

The Canal du Midi exemplifies the transformative power of human ingenuity and its enduring aesthetic and functional significance. Originally built between 1666 and 1681 to connect Toulouse with Sète via 328 engineering structures—locks, aqueducts, bridges, and tunnels—it has evolved from a transport artery into a multifaceted space for tourism, leisure, and urban living. This transformation has not only preserved its natural heritage but also enhanced its aesthetic appeal, fostering a dynamic landscape that nourishes both residents and visitors alike. The study highlights how the Canal du Midi serves as a living testament to the interplay between human design and environmental beauty, reflecting philosophical ideals of art and public space.

Establishing a Scale to Assess the Factors Affecting the Competitiveness of Tourist Destinations, a Case Study in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province

Hoi An Ancient Town — 2025 — WHEA9252E0BBE

A scale to assess the competitiveness of tourist destinations, applied to Hoi An cityreveals that while visitors widely agree on key factors influencing its appeal, significant gaps persist in infrastructure and connectivity. The study developed a seven-factor, 64-criteria rating system using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) to evaluate competitiveness. Preliminary findings highlight the need for targeted improvements in these areas to enhance Hoi An's tourism development. This approach provides a structured framework for analyzing destination competitiveness, offering actionable insights for heritage management.

Establishing Criteria and Methods of Visual Impact Assessment for Conservation Management of World Heritage - Focused on Taereung and Gangneung Area, Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty of World Heritage

Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty — 2025 — WHE51FB4644E1

A new framework for visual impact assessment (VIA) of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, specifically the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, has been established. The study identifies optimal horizontal angles—28° for Taereung and 47° for Gangneung—to assess visual impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) attributes of these tombs. It reveals that high-rise buildings in surrounding areas obstruct views of the mountains, negatively affecting the visual integrity of the heritage site. The research proposes criteria for VIA implementation, addressing a critical gap in domestic conservation practices. By mapping OUV attributes and using 3D simulations, it provides actionable guidelines to mitigate negative visual impacts while preserving the cultural landscape's authenticity.

Estimación del Potencial de Captura de Carbono en Suelos de un Sitio de la Reserva de Calakmul durante la Temporada de Lluvias

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2025 — WHEE77814986E

A sub-evergreen tropical forest within the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve demonstrates high carbon storage potential, despite some localized degradation. Soil analysis revealed neutral to moderately alkaline conditions with low salinity and a sandy loam to sandy clay loam texture, supporting medium to very high organic matter (OM) and carbon content. The study found significant correlations between moisture levels and conductivity, as well as inverse relationships between silt/clay content and pH, indicating soil texture's influence on chemical properties. While the site's carbon sequestration potential is lower than semi-remote forests or national parks but higher than urban areas like Mexico City, it remains a valuable reservoir for carbon storage. The research suggests that large-scale degradation has not significantly impacted these properties, preserving Calakmul's ecological and climatic benefits.

Estimating the Non-Use Value of Laojun Mountain National Park: A Contingent Valuation Study with Cultural Identity Mediation in Yunnan, China

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas — 2025 — WHE1BB8044370

Laojun Mountain National Park, within China's Three Parallel Rivers World Heritage region, holds significant non-use value estimated at 79.697 to 260.841 billion yuan annually, based on a contingent valuation study analyzing 219 survey responses. Key determinants of willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation include education, income, occupation, cultural identity, and recognition of legacy values. Interaction effect logistic regression revealed that cultural identity's influence on WTP is moderated by income level and ecological awareness. Motivational analysis identified aesthetic appreciation, cultural meaning, and intergenerational ethics as primary drivers of conservation support, while refusal to pay was largely tied to expectations of governmental responsibility among low-income and less-educated respondents. This study advances bio-cultural valuation theory, informs Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme design, and highlights the need for integrating socio-cultural dimensions into sustainable conservation finance and policy strategies.

Estimation of royal tombs from the Goguryeo Pyongyang period through review of archaeological data

Complex of Koguryo Tombs — 2025 — WHE6085649925

Research identifies six likely royal tombs from the late Goguryeo period (427–668 CE) in Pyongyang, Korea, following the kingdom's capital relocation. By analyzing roof tile production dates, tomb sizes, and artifact evidence, the study concludes that Gyeongsin-ri No. 1 (Jangsu King’s Tomb) was the first royal burial after the move, followed by five others: Dongmyeong King’s Tomb, Honam-ri Sasinchong Tomb (Anjang King), Topori Daechong Tomb (Anwon King), Gangseo Daemyo (Pyeongwon King), and Gosan-dong No. 1 (Yeongyang King). The findings suggest a structured afterlife concept among Goguryeo’s elite, reflecting their international standing in Northeast Asia. Two kings—Yangwon and Yeongnyu—remain unaccounted for, indicating ongoing research gaps.

Estratégias ecológicas associadas aos padrões de sazonalidade da fenologia foliar na Amazônia Central

Central Amazon Conservation Complex — 2025 — WHE9B10D2F2BF

Research in the Central Amazon Conservation Complex reveals that variations in leaf phenology can serve as early warning signals for tree mortality, occurring up to seven and a half years before death. This finding suggests that tree death is not solely driven by external disturbances but also involves internal physiological decline and aging. The study analyzed 52 years of phenological data from hundreds of trees, demonstrating that water table depth significantly influences leaf production patterns, duration, and timing. Additionally, it identified two distinct phenological strategies in evergreen trees: one focused on drought avoidance/resource acquisition during wet periods, and another on drought resistance/resource conservation during drier periods. These insights enhance the understanding of Amazonian forest functionality and resilience, providing a systemic approach to predicting tree death and improving ecological models.

Estudio de la Variabilidad Espacial en el Depósito de Azufre en la Reserva de Calakmul Durante la Temporada de Lluvias

Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche — 2025 — WHE683AF14F52

Research at the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve reveals that its sub-evergreen tropical forest maintains high carbon storage capacity, despite some localized degradation. The study found that soil properties—neutral to moderately alkaline pH, low salinity, and sandy loam to sandy clay loam texture—support medium to very high organic matter and carbon content, promoting fertility and nutrient availability. While moisture levels varied with depth (higher at the surface due to the rainy season), significant correlations were observed between moisture, conductivity, silt/clay content, and pH, indicating soil texture's role in chemical dynamics. Though carbon sequestration potential was lower than in semi-remote forests or national parks but higher than urban areas like Mexico City, the site retains robust ecological resilience. The study employed passive sulfur sampling to assess atmospheric deposition during the rainy season, providing insights into spatial variability and long-term stability.