World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 23421 – 23440 of 30345 publications

Gentrification, neoliberalism and loss in Puebla, Mexico

Historic Centre of Puebla — 2015 — WHE3C1E6A98CF

Gentrification in Puebla, Mexico, has been accelerated by neoliberal policies, transforming the historic center into a corporate-driven cultural and tourist hub while displacing local communities. The study highlights how state-backed real estate speculation, exemplified by the Paseo project, prioritizes corporate interests over preserving ethnic identity and heritage. This shift reflects broader trends of urban transformation under neoliberalism, where economic growth is pursued at the expense of social equity.

Gentrifications in pre-Olympic Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea — 2015 — WHE1F2B414434

Rapid gentrification is reshaping Rio de Janeiro's residential landscapes, driven by global mega-events, state-led urban development, and real estate speculation. Research highlights multiple forms of gentrification across four key areas: Flamengo (a central middle-class neighborhood), the Zona Portuaria (a port region undergoing state-financed revitalization), Vidigal favela in Rio's Zona Sul, and Barra da Tijuca (a suburban area with Olympic-led infrastructure investment). The study, based on data from Rio’s primary real estate search engine, newspaper reports, resident interviews, and personal observations, reveals that while rents have risen across the metropolitan region, gentrification processes vary significantly, reflecting the complex dynamics of urban transformation in a Global South megacity.

Geoarchaeological Studies in Paphos – First Results

Paphos — 2015 — WHEBF69B27E41

A geoarchaeological study of Paphos, Cyprus, reveals that the ancient town's agora was likely fully built-up, with walls extending into undiscovered sections. The research used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to map 95 north-south and 51 east-west profiles across Nea Paphos and its harbor area, overcoming challenges like pebble layers that obscured stone structures. Additionally, the study identified morphogenetic processes shaping coastal plains, contributing to a hypothesis explaining the bay's shrinkage and harbor decline. This approach combines geomorphological prospecting with advanced geophysical techniques to unravel the region's archaeological and geological history.

Geochemistry of the alkaline volcanicsubvolcanic rocks of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, southern Atlantic Ocean

Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves — 2015 — WHE1E3EAA37DB

The Fernando de Noronha Archipelago exhibits two distinct volcanic units separated by a significant time gap and erosion surface. The older Remédios Formation (8–12 million years ago) consists of alkaline rocks with both sodic and potassic sequences, showing continuous geochemical trends indicative of crystal fractionation, while the younger Quixaba Formation (1–3 million years ago) comprises primitive, undersaturated sodic rocks. Geological, stratigraphic, petrographic, and geochemical evidence suggests these islands originated from intermittent melting of an enriched mantle, unrelated to asthenospheric plume activity. This study deciphers the archipelago's volcanic evolution through detailed petrological and geochemical analysis.

Geological - Geomorphological Values and Conservation, the World's Natural Heritage of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago — 2015 — WHE4EFD644853

Ha Long Bay's unique limestone topography and karst islands, recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, face significant threats from erosion, collapse, and chemical corrosion due to wave action and seawater. These natural processes are degrading the beauty of this geological marvel, posing challenges for its conservation. The study provides critical data to support management strategies aimed at preserving these irreplaceable features. By analyzing the impacts of environmental factors on the site's geomorphology, researchers offer insights that can inform targeted conservation efforts.

Geological dimension of the cultural heritage: A case example of the Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra, India)

Ajanta Caves — 2015 — WHEB0D62D58CC

The Ajanta Caves offer significant geological heritage value through four key features: the artificial caves themselves, which showcase historical human geological activity; end-Cretaceous flood basalts that illustrate the emplacement of a Large Igneous Province and its associated palaeoenvironmental catastrophe; the unique landform created by the Waghora River's erosion of hard rocks; and rockfall hazards linked to cave construction and maintenance. Despite their potential for geotourism, the Ajanta Caves currently lack geological information in online resources, hindering their development as a geotourism destination. This study highlights the untapped opportunities for geotourism at cultural sites with high visitor numbers, emphasizing the importance of integrating geological heritage into conservation and tourism strategies.

Geology and geochronology of the Sub-Antarctic Snares Islands/Tini Heke, New Zealand

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands — 2015 — WHE0E592AA601

A groundbreaking geological map and radiogenic isotope data reveal the Sub-Antarctic Snares Islands/Tini Heke, New Zealand, are composed primarily of the Snares Granite (c. 109 Ma) intruding Broughton Granodiorite (c. 114 Ma). The study identifies schistose rafts within the granite, suggesting a meta-igneous origin, and confirms no conclusive metasedimentary rocks exist despite sillimanite-bearing mica-rich schists on Rua. Deformation occurred between 95–109 Ma, overlapping with extensional ductile shear zones on Stewart Island. Additionally, basaltic dykes indicate volcanic activity across all Sub-Antarctic island groups, with larger islands capped by peat and gravel deposits.

Geometria i forma dels pinacles de la Sagrada Família, d’Antoni Gaudí

Works of Antoni Gaudí — 2015 — WHEB46D9349B7

A groundbreaking analysis of Antoni Gaudí's pinacles at the Sagrada Família reveals intricate geometric design mechanisms, offering new insights into historic architectural construction. By leveraging three-dimensional modeling software and CAD tools, researchers have decoded the complex forms that define Gaudí's work, providing a framework for both preservation and future architectural innovation. This study not only enhances our understanding of Gaudí's expertise but also establishes methodologies for reconstructing damaged structures with precision, ensuring accuracy in design and engineering. The findings bridge the gap between historical analysis and modern technical documentation, equipping professionals with rigorous approaches to architecture and conservation.

Geometric approach to the revitalization process of medieval Serbian monasteries

Studenica Monastery — 2015 — WHEA25109749C

A geometric approach to the revitalization of medieval Serbian monasteries, particularly focusing on Studenica Monastery and other significant yet damaged sites, has been developed. This method emphasizes the preservation of authentic architectural styles and medieval building techniques while addressing imperfections in construction. The study highlights the use of engineering documentation, including measuring, architectural style analysis, geometric design, 3D modeling (both classical CAD and terrestrial photogrammetric), and visualization to guide revitalization efforts. A case study involving a 15th-century church in Slavkovica, featuring three old sarcophagi, demonstrates the application of this approach, ensuring that the final geometric design aligns with expert opinions on monument preservation.

Geometry and regional significance of joint sets in the Ordovician-Silurian Anticosti Basin: new insights from fracture mapping

Anticosti — 2015 — WHEB356F7DB39

A systematic set of fractures trending ~N100, likely extending to significant depths, has been identified in the Ordovician-Silurian Anticosti Basin. These joints, older and more continuous than a secondary set trending ~N10, exhibit median spacing of approximately 1 m and are partly controlled by mechanical bed characteristics. Some joints show notable horizontal and vertical continuity, suggesting potential influence on subsurface fluid flow if open at depth. The study, based on fracture mapping near Havre-Saint-Pierre, the Mingan Islands, and Anticosti Island, interprets these systematic fractures as having formed in a forebulge setting during local extension.

Geomorphologic and Hydrogeologic Characteristics of Populated Rockslide Deposits (Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu Himal, Nepal)

Sagarmatha National Park — 2015 — WHEDB418E88A0

Rockslide deposits in the Khumbu Himal, Nepal, present a dual challenge for local populations: they offer gentle terrain suitable for settlements and agriculture but simultaneously pose critical water scarcity due to their highly fragmented and shattered composition. A study on Lukla and Namche-Khumjung rockslides reveals that these deposits, while providing essential living spaces in steep catchments, are characterized by rapid infiltration of percolating water, short residence times, and minimal spring water or surface runoff availability—a consequence of their internal structure. This ambivalent relationship underscores the need for adaptation strategies, particularly as tourism in the region grows. The research combined geomorphologic field mapping, orthophoto analysis, digital elevation models, and hydrogeologic sampling to elucidate these dynamics.

Giraffe and okapi: Africa's forgotten megafauna

Okapi Wildlife Reserve — 2015 — WHEE7C1FA894E

Recent ecological studies and conservation assessments reveal significant population declines for both giraffe and okapi, with giraffe numbers dropping over 43% since 1998 and okapi populations likely halving in the last two decades. The okapi, once classified as 'Near Threatened,' is now listed as 'Endangered' by the IUCN, while two giraffe subspecies—West African and Rothschild's—are also critically endangered. These declines are driven by habitat loss, poaching, human encroachment, and socio-political instability across their ranges. The study highlights the urgent need for enhanced monitoring, conservation efforts, and global awareness to mitigate threats and ensure the long-term survival of these iconic species. Innovative methods such as camera traps and noninvasive genetic approaches show promise in addressing knowledge gaps, particularly for the elusive okapi.

GIS intelligence for a cutting-edge management of 3D cities

Historic Centre of Urbino — 2015 — WHE83F29E5413

A groundbreaking approach to urban management using GIS technology has been developed, offering a dynamic and upgradeable 3D modeling system for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This methodology, applied to Urbino's historic center, integrates geomorphological and historical data to provide comprehensive spatial analysis of the city's evolution from Roman settlements to its current state. The system focuses on managing urban elements' composition, geometric characteristics, conservation status, and monitoring interventions, all within a geodatabase environment that supports real-time updates. This innovative framework enhances urban area enjoyment while also supporting decision-making and planning processes.

Glacier-related landforms and glacial lakes in Huascarán National Park, Peru

Huascarán National Park — 2015 — WHE54C0A0288A

A comprehensive inventory of glacial lakes and moraine ridges in Huascarán National Park, Peru, reveals critical insights for glacial lake flood hazard assessment. Researchers mapped over 2370 lakes with specific dam types and 1250 moraine ridges longer than 200 meters, providing the most detailed dataset to date. The study highlights ongoing environmental changes affecting lake number, size, distribution, and development, including sediment accumulation and susceptibility to outburst floods. This work builds on previous inventories by incorporating new data crucial for understanding glacial dynamics and mitigating flood risks in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Glass finds from a Late Antique-Byzantine farm at Aïn Ouassel (Tunisia)

Dougga / Thugga — 2015 — WHEE9AD05CE83

Chemical analyses of glass finds from a Late Antique-Byzantine farm at Aïn Ouassel, Tunisia, reveal similarities with central and northern Tunisian glass collections, providing new insights into the distribution and chronology of Roman and Byzantine glass forms. This study sheds light on the conventional use of multipurpose glassware, such as plates, beakers, and goblets, in rural areas far from the Mediterranean coast during this period. No local production centers have been detected in the surveyed area around the excavated farm, contrasting with other regions in Tunisia.

Global designs

Piazza del Duomo, Pisa — 2015 — WHE3007B22C8C

Fourteenth-century monumental civic artworks from Pisa, Venice, and Genoa employed Old Testament narratives and cartographic references to assert Mediterranean dominance and legitimize global imperial claims. The Pisan Camposanto’s frescoes depicted two millennia of Pisan influence, positioning the city as a global center. Genoa’s San Lorenzo Cathedral inscribed its empire’s origins in Abrahamic lineage, while Venice’s Palazzo Ducale façade integrated Old Testament imagery with diplomatic allusions to Mongols and Turks. These monuments synthesized pagan and Judeo-Christian knowledge, using the Old Testament as a framework for evolving spatial and temporal conceptions that shaped Renaissance-era European worldviews.

Global Plants and Digital Letters: Epistemological Implications of Digitising the Directors' Correspondence at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — 2015 — WHECBED93F690

Digitization of the Directors' Correspondence (DC) collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, reveals complex epistemological implications that challenge traditional views of knowledge production. The study highlights how digitization introduces both gains and losses in historical perspective, emphasizing the importance of examining selection processes from letter writing to database curation. It underscores the role of project digitizers' expertise in generating new knowledge through close reading and metadata creation, while cautioning against replicating extractive practices that may obscure historical disconnections. This analysis provides a nuanced framework for understanding digitization's impact on collection-based biodiversity conservation.

Göbekli Tepe – ein exzeptioneller Fundplatz des frühesten Neolithikums auf dem Weg zum Weltkulturerbe

Göbekli Tepe — 2015 — WHECFAC08288E

Göbekli Tepe, a prehistoric site in southeastern Turkey, stands out as an exceptional archaeological discovery, challenging long-held assumptions about the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities. Excavations at this site have revealed intricate megalithic structures dating back to approximately 9600 BCE, predating the emergence of agriculture by millennia. These findings suggest that complex social and ritual practices may have developed independently of farming, reshaping our understanding of early human civilization. This publication provides a concise history of archaeological work at Göbekli Tepe and details its nomination process for UNESCO World Heritage status, highlighting its global significance.

Grafikatörténeti érdekességek manierista Krisztus-típusok fényében

Aachen Cathedral — 2015 — WHE7FCAEBC96D

A study of engravings and sculptures reveals the evolution of Christ's depiction in Christian art, particularly focusing on mannerist representations. The research highlights how Johann Andreas Pfeffel Jr.'s and Sr.'s works, along with Michelangelo's sculptures, illustrate allegorical themes related to Christ's Passion, resurrection, and the Eucharist. It also explores the significance of relics, such as the column of flagellation from the Holy Land, preserved in Rome and Aachen Cathedral, which pilgrims venerated for centuries. The analysis draws connections between these artistic representations and biblical texts, offering insights into the symbolic and theological dimensions of mannerist Christ figures.

Ground penetrating radar surveys on the ancient Dengfeng Guanxingtai observatory, China

Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” — 2015 — WHEFBE72FCD1B

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys of the ancient Guanxingtai Observatory in Dengfeng, China—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the earliest astronomical observatories—revealed key structural details. The study found that the brick layers have a dielectric constant ranging from 10.5 to 12, with a thickness of 0.57–0.6 meters, suggesting possible refilled mortar layers behind them. Strong diffractions in radargrams further indicated subsurface anomalies. Conducted using 500- and 900-MHz GSSI SIR-2 systems in 2009, the survey provides critical insights into the observatory's construction, aiding conservation efforts for this historic site.