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Showing 20721 – 20740 of 30345 publications

Resident perceptions toward tourism impacts in historic center of Yazd, Iran

Historic City of Yazd — 2017 — WHE5382B89C9D

Residents of the historic center of Yazd, particularly in the Fahadan neighborhood, exhibit a generally positive perception toward tourism development. The study reveals three major impacts: improved physical and environmental quality due to government and private sector initiatives; positive social and cultural changes through interactions with foreign tourists; and increased community awareness and pride in their heritage. However, there are concerns about the potential 'museumification' of the area and the commodification of heritage, which could lead to a loss of authenticity. The research approach involved examining resident perceptions through interviews, highlighting both the benefits and risks of tourism in historic urban areas.

Residents' Perceptions of Resettlement for Nature-Based Tourism: A Case Study of Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area — 2017 — WHED6D6C9F31E

Resettlement for nature-based tourism can generate economic benefits while minimizing psychological impacts on residents, but current relocation policies face substantial criticism. A 2015 survey of residents in China's Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Arearevealed that while participants acknowledged the potential for economic gains from relocation, they overwhelmingly viewed existing policies negatively. The study highlights room for improvement in managing such processes to better balance conservation goals with resident satisfaction and quality of life. Future research should explore how relocation strategies can enhance residents' overall well-being.

Resilience and protected area tourism in Purnululu National Park: understanding interactions with a focus on community benefits.

Purnululu National Park — 2017 — WHE57429EC711

A novel framework for assessing the interactions between protected areas, tourism, and surrounding communities has been developed, offering a multi-scalar approach that accounts for system dynamics across different scales and timeframes. This framework provides an alternative to linear sustainability assessments and highlights potential interventions for long-term resilience. Applied in a case study of Purnululu National Park, Australia's World Heritage-listed site, the framework integrates local input with broader stakeholder views to construct a comprehensive understanding of social interactions within protected area tourism systems.

Resilience in a Mountain Range: The Case of the Tadrart Acacus (Southwest Libya)

Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus — 2017 — WHE5C82BB5120

Traditional ecological knowledge plays a pivotal role in the resilience of the Kel Tadrart Tuareg, enabling them to adapt successfully to erratic rainfall and scarce pastures in the Tadrart Acacus mountain range (southwest Libya). This finding emerged from an eight-year research program (2003–2011) that employed a multi-disciplinary approach, including oral interviews, participant observation, mapping of settlements, and localization of natural resources. The study sheds new light on the region's recent past by applying the Theory of Resilience to analyze how the Kel Tadrart's deep understanding of their environment has sustained their way of life despite harsh conditions.

Resiliencia en docentes: Una vía para mejorar capacidades de las poblaciones ante inundaciones agravadas por el cambio climático

Historic Monuments Zone of Tlacotalpan — 2017 — WHEAD5923F030

Docentes en zonas vulnerables de Veracruz, México, pueden ser clave para fortalecer la resiliencia comunitaria frente a inundaciones agravadas por el cambio climático. Un estudio identificó que estos educadores, al ser actores sociales influyentes, promueven acciones que reducen la vulnerabilidad de las poblaciones locales. La investigación, realizada en Tlacotalpan, Cotaxtla y La Antigua, analizó tanto la resiliencia individual como comunitaria en docentes de bachillerato, destacando cómo su papel puede mitigar impactos climáticos severos, como ciclones tropicales intensificados por el calentamiento global. Los resultados iniciales sugieren que estos educadores son agentes potenciales para mejorar la capacidad de adaptación de comunidades en desarrollo, afectadas desproporcionadamente por fenómenos climáticos extremos.

Resilient forms of urbanity on the margins?

Medina of Tunis — 2017 — WHE1D133CA316

A dynamic informal market in the Kherba district of Tunis's medina has transformed perceptions of urban degradation, illustrating complex long-term dynamics that challenge traditional preservation efforts. This study reveals how spontaneous reappropriation of abandoned spaces can reshape neighbourhood identity while posing risks to the medina's structural integrity. By combining archival research and field interviews, it traces the historical roots of marginalization—dating back to Ottoman and colonial eras—and links them to contemporary heritage conservation challenges. The findings highlight a paradox: informal urban reuse revitalizes neglected areas but may ultimately undermine the very fabric of protected sites like the medina of Tunis.

Resource selection, utilization and seasons influence spatial distribution of ungulates in the western Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park — 2017 — WHE817C1FE2EC

Herbivore habitat selection in the western Serengeti National Park varies significantly by species and season, challenging predictions based on competition or predation pressures. Research revealed that ungulates do not uniformly contract their habitat use during the dry season, nor does their selection remain static across seasons, contrary to expectations from either interspecific competition or predation-driven models. Instead, each species exhibits distinct seasonal shifts in resource utilization, reflecting nuanced behavioral adaptations. The study employed Chi-square analysis on occurrence frequencies in four vegetation types to quantify selection coefficients and test hypotheses, offering critical insights for constructing species-specific habitat suitability maps—a tool vital for targeted conservation efforts.

Respeitando o antigo sistema: irrigação e o controle de enchentes na China do Século III AEC.

Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System — 2017 — WHE70ADDAC121

One of the most enduring examples of ancient hydraulic engineering, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, built in the 3rd century BCE in Sichuan, China, demonstrates remarkable stability and functionality over two millennia. Unlike other Chinese water control systems that degraded, this system successfully managed floodwaters from the Min River, enabling widespread irrigation and water supply for the Chengdu Plateau. The study briefly examines its design, execution, and transformative impact on the region, highlighting its role as a foundational element of the Chinese Empire. By analyzing its historical resilience, the research underscores the system's engineering brilliance and enduring legacy in sustainable water management.

Restoration method on the southern wall of the Medieval access road to the Generalife

Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada — 2017 — WHE396801F8B0

A high-pressure earth mortar injection system has been identified as an effective method for consolidating the southern wall of the Medieval access road to the Generalife, part of the UNESCO-listed Alhambra and Generalife complex in Granada. This approach, tested during restoration works in 2005, offers a sustainable solution for preserving earthen structures with minimal intervention. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Getty Institute and Universidad de Granada, evaluates this technique alongside other historical repairs to establish criteria for assessing the aging and longevity of different restoration methods. By analyzing real models of material degradation, researchers aim to develop an optimal strategy for the general restoration of earthen architecture within the Alhambra palace complex, ensuring both conservation and sustainability.

Restoration mortars for the Volubilis calcarenite stone

Archaeological Site of Volubilis — 2017 — WHE4328C460C9

A compatible mortar formulation for the restoration of Volubilis' calcarenite stone, a key material at Morocco's UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been identified. The study found that incorporating brick dust as a lime substitute in aerial lime-based mortars significantly enhances compressive strength while reducing porosity and capillary absorption—critical properties for preservation. Conversely, using brick dust as an aggregate increases these undesirable traits. Regional materials like washed dolomitic sand were also integrated into nine mortar mixes, which underwent physical and mechanical testing after one month of maturation. The research confirms the pozzolanicity of brick dust, offering a promising approach to balancing durability with material compatibility for future conservation efforts at Volubilis.

Restoration of Historic Buildings in Zanzibar

Stone Town of Zanzibar — 2017 — WHE6F70140015

A critical insight from this study is the identification of optimal material ratios for restoring historic buildings in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Researchers found that using locally sourced sand with a grading pattern matching the original mortar, combined with lime at a ratio of 1:3 (lime to sand), significantly improves restoration outcomes. This approach mitigates the incompatibility issues caused by modern materials, which have accelerated deterioration in previously repaired buildings. The study employed visual investigations and laboratory tests—including chemical analysis, grading, compressive strength, and water absorption—to compare historic and contemporary repair materials. While similarities were observed, the optimal ratio for repair mortar was distinct from that of original materials, highlighting the need for tailored restoration techniques to preserve Zanzibar's architectural heritage effectively.

Restoration project of the mural paintings of the Dragomirna Monastery Church

Churches of Moldavia — 2017 — WHEFB6CAF7CCC

A groundbreaking restoration project of the 17th-century mural paintings at Dragomirna Monastery Church revealed the church's unique artistic and architectural elements. The restoration, funded by the European Union between 2010 and 2012, uncovered extensive gilded surfaces and intricate stone-carved motifs—unprecedented in Moldavian medieval churches—that enhance the iconographic program spanning 22 registers. Using affresco and mezzo fresco techniques, the project adhered to international conservation standards and involved a team of 50 specialists. The restoration highlighted the church's original appearance and its influence from miniature painting techniques. This project won the 2014 EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards in the 'Conservation' category, receiving both the Grand Prix and Public Choice Award.

Retos urbanos y medioambientales para una mejor gestión del patrimonio cultural en cuatro ciudades del Caribe: La Habana, San Juan Viejo, Santo Domingo y Cartagena de Indias

Colonial City of Santo Domingo — 2017 — WHE53AC146CA9

UNESCO World Heritage designation has driven significant local and national development in Caribbean historic centers, but current conservation efforts often overlook urban and environmental challenges. This study reveals that rigid preservation approaches to colonial cities like La Habana, San Juan Viejo, Santo Domingo, and Cartagena de Indias create disruptions in broader urban functions such as environmental quality, mobility, and infrastructure. By analyzing legal-administrative documentation and urban planning frameworks, the research demonstrates the need for more integrated management strategies that align cultural heritage preservation with global urban regeneration goals. The findings propose joint actions based on the Caribbean Action Plan for World Heritage (2015-2019) to improve transversal governance, ensuring sustainable preservation of exceptional universal values while addressing modern urban and environmental demands.

Review Essay: Beyond Eurocentric Histories of Plague

Old City of Dubrovnik — 2017 — WHE7043469EFF

A critical shift in plague studies reveals the interconnected microbial and human histories of Mediterranean port cities, challenging Eurocentric narratives. This review essay synthesizes three key works—focusing on Dubrovnik (Ragusa), Venice, and Seville—that collectively illuminate shared plague experiences despite divergent administrative responses. The analysis highlights the 'microbial unification' of the early modern era, where these cities, as part of a tightly knit Mediterranean biome, exemplify global pathogen spread and its devastating impacts. Crawshaw's study on Venetian plague hospitals (lazaretti) stands out for its detailed reconstruction of public health efforts, including the world's first permanent plague hospital established in 1423, offering unprecedented insight into the lived experiences of victims and the organizational responses of health officials.

Review of Portuguese Cistercian Monastic Heritage

Monastery of Alcobaça — 2017 — WHE22955EFD69

Portuguese Cistercian monasteries, including the Monastery of Alcobaça, have undergone continuous architectural renewal and reform over nearly nine centuries, reflecting both regional construction traditions and broader cultural shifts. This study highlights how these monasteries absorbed local materials like granite in the north and limestone in the south while evolving stylistically and physically, often through expansions such as additional aisles or cloisters. Unconventional renewals, such as dual churches or open-air museums, also emerged from archaeological research. The findings underscore the monasteries' role in shaping Portuguese identity and culture, with ongoing reforms even in the 21st century driven by heritage institutes and individuals.

Review of the Danian vertebrate fauna of southern Scandinavia.

Stevns Klint — 2017 — WHE3C5E1528D7

A diverse Danian vertebrate fauna, spanning four classes and 54 identifiable genera, has been documented from southern Scandinavia. The study reveals that while fish remains are common in Danian limestones, the Fiskeler Member at Stevns Klint (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) stands out for its significant shark teeth and bony fish fragments. Articulated fish remains are also noted in the Limhamn quarry and København Limestone Formation. The research identifies a range of taxa, including the gavialoid crocodylian Thoracosaurus, fragmentary turtle material, and bird remains exclusively from the Limhamn quarry. Despite the fragmentary nature of many findings, the study provides a comprehensive overview of the region's vertebrate diversity during the Danian age.

Review: Portrait of an Island: The Architecture and Material Culture of Gorée, Sénégal, 1758–1837, by Mark Hinchman

Island of Gorée — 2017 — WHEA4E1317AAC

Scholarly research on the Island of Gorée, Senegal, challenges popular narratives by revealing that the number of slaves transiting through this early modern port was in the low thousands, not millions as often claimed. Despite its small size and limited slave trade volume, Gorée emerged as a significant commercial hub under French control (1677), with extensive mercantile ties to Europe, the Americas, and Indian Ocean islands like Mauritius and Réunion. Mark Hinchman's work, Portrait of an Island, meticulously examines the island's architecture and material culture from 1758 to 1837, providing a nuanced understanding of its role in transatlantic trade networks and African architectural exchanges.

Revision of the species of Lytopylus from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae)

Area de Conservación Guanacaste — 2017 — WHE6E18E44964

A groundbreaking study reveals the diversity of Lytopylus wasps (Agathidinae) in Costa Rica's Area de Conservación Guanacaste, describing 32 new species. This revision provides detailed morphological descriptions and an interactive key for identification, alongside comprehensive ecological data linking these wasps to their host caterpillars and food plants. Genetic analysis using mitochondrial COI barcodes supported species delimitation, offering a robust taxonomic framework. The findings significantly advance our understanding of wasp biodiversity in this UNESCO-listed region, highlighting the importance of integrating molecular and ecological approaches in systematics.

Revitalization of the Kokalari Estate within the historic context of Gjirokastra

Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra — 2017 — WHE2D00C3249D

A critical analysis of the Kokalari Estate, a late Ottoman-era monument within Gjirokastra’s UNESCO World Heritage site, identifies key threats to its preservation and proposes revitalization strategies rooted in the vision of curator Arjeta Kokalari. The study highlights the estate’s architectural significance as a notable family residence and its symbolic role as a memorial to Musine Kokalari, a National Heroine. By examining structural vulnerabilities and historical context, the research offers actionable recommendations for conservation that balance heritage integrity with contemporary needs.

Rewilding the Atlantic Forest: Restoring the fauna and ecological interactions of a protected area

Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea — 2017 — WHE4EE0269616

Refaunation emerges as a promising, cost-effective strategy to restore ecological processes in defaunated Neotropical forests. A collaborative reintroduction network successfully reintroduced two key seed dispersers—the red-humped agouti and the brown howler monkey—into Tijuca National Park (TNP), Rio de Janeiro, between 2010 and 2017. Monitoring revealed that these species interacted with multiple plant species, including large-seeded ones, while 25 dung beetle species were found interacting with howler feces. The absence of medium to large frugivores in TNP before the reintroduction suggests a disproportionate positive effect on forest regeneration. Despite challenges such as environmental licensing delays and scarcity of source populations, this study demonstrates that targeted refaunation can effectively restore ecological interactions and support biodiversity recovery.