World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

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Lithospheric Thermal modeling in Eastern Iran - Integrated Geophysical Modeling

Lut Desert — 2015 — WHEE1A39F0F8E

Eastern Iran, encompassing regions such as Kopet Dagh, Dasht-e Lut (Lut Desert), and Makran, exhibits significant lithospheric thickening and temperature variations. This study reveals that the crust and lithosphere thicken notably in Kopeh Dagh and Sistan Heights, while remaining thin in Makran and Lut, with evidence of subduction beneath the Makran zone. The research employs a two-dimensional thermal modeling approach, offering high accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional methods. By analyzing a profile from Makran to the Turan platform, this method enables comprehensive regional studies, providing insights into geological phenomena with speed and precision.

Living heritage, community participation and sustainability

Hoi An Ancient Town — 2015 — WHED167F8ABF5

Hoi An Ancient Town demonstrates that living heritage, when combined with community participation, can significantly enhance sustainable preservation and reduce tensions between local residents and broader urban development. The study highlights the importance of a community-based approach to heritage management, which supports locals in maintaining their way of life while preserving cultural significance. However, it also identifies a key limitation: the lack of facilitators hinders deeper community engagement. This research contributes new insights into how living heritage can bridge social, economic, and environmental scales beyond designated World Heritage boundaries, offering a model for balancing preservation with dynamic urban growth.

Living with the Ancient Romans: Past and Present in Eighteenth-Century Encounters with Herculaneum and Pompeii

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata — 2015 — WHED136DAADC0

Eighteenth-century encounters with the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii significantly influenced diverse intellectual and political thought, demonstrating that these archaeological sites were not merely objects of nostalgia or sentimentality. The study examines how four prominent figures—Camillo Paderni, Johann Joachim Winckelmann, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Sir William Hamilton—leveraged the unique proximity to the past offered by these excavations to develop innovative arguments on topics ranging from Neapolitan Bourbon rule to the history of Earth. This research highlights the profound impact of these discoveries on eighteenth-century discourse, revealing their role in shaping a broad spectrum of ideas beyond mere aesthetic appreciation.

Living with the world heritage. An ethnographic study of the ancient city of Nessebar, Bulgaria

Ancient City of Nessebar — 2015 — WHE252492BFCD

The Ancient City of Nessebar, Bulgaria, faces significant challenges due to the interplay between tourism development and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An ethnographic study reveals that post-1989 economic liberalization has intensified pressures on heritage conservation, with private investors and corrupt practices undermining safeguarding efforts. Residents grapple with complex issues such as trust in institutions, property rights, social justice, local identity, and the transformation of cultural heritage into economic capital. The study highlights conflicting dynamics between tourism interests and heritage preservation, offering insights into the broader tensions surrounding World Heritage Sites.

Local and International Dynamics in Historic Cities: Understanding the Influence of UNESCO World Heritage Designation on Urban Development in Quito, Ecuador

City of Quito — 2015 — WHEAD374AB737

Quito's historic center, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, exemplifies both positive and negative impacts of such recognition on urban development in South America. While demographic and socio-economic data reflect local policy effects, the study questions whether UNESCO's influence extends beyond these outcomes. It explores the balance between urban development needs—such as infrastructure for over 2 million citizens—and heritage preservation, particularly through compliance with UNESCO and ICOMOS reports. The research examines how these international guidelines shape local decision-making, challenging assumptions about the power dynamics between global conservation efforts and local governance. By analyzing urban plans and policy implementations, the study seeks to clarify whether UNESCO's designation fosters or hinders balanced socio-economic development in historic cities.

Local Community and Tourism Development: A Study of Rural Mountainous Destinations

Kinabalu Park — 2015 — WHEA72A4EC971

Local communities surrounding Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, exhibit strong positive perceptions of tourism development, viewing it as a significant improvement to their income resources and quality of life. This finding underscores the potential for rural tourism to serve as an economic driver in marginalized mountainous regions, aligning with global trends that highlight its benefits for social regeneration and community empowerment. The study employed quantitative methods, distributing 378 questionnaires to residents in villages adjacent to the park, to assess their involvement in and benefits from tourism development. Results suggest that local engagement in the tourism sector can foster sustainable economic growth while enhancing living conditions, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to leverage tourism for rural development.

Local ecological knowledge, livelihoods and conservation in the changing forest social ecological systems of Cat Ba Island, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago — 2015 — WHE655B28C190

Protected area management often overlooks the complex interplay between local communities and their environments, leading to unintended consequences for both conservation and development. A study on Cat Ba Island, Vietnam, reveals that while protected areas like Cat Ba National Park and the UNESCO-listed Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve aim to conserve biodiversity, they also disrupt traditional livelihoods dependent on forest resources. The research highlights a shift from unimpeded natural resource exploitation to biodiversity conservation, with local ecological knowledge (LEK) evolving from species exploitation to ecosystem awareness. However, this transition is challenged by reduced forest access, leading to the erosion of LEK and limited success in alternative livelihoods. The study underscores the need for adaptive strategies that balance conservation goals with community needs, offering insights applicable to similar global contexts.

Local extinction of an important seed disperser does not modify the spatial distribution of the endemic palm Astrocaryum aculeatissimum (Schott) Burret (Arecaceae)

Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea — 2015 — WHE108924D2CD

Despite the local extinction of its primary seed disperser, the red-rumped agouti, the spatial distribution of the endemic palm Astrocaryum aculeatissimum remains unaffected in Tijuca National Park, Brazil. The study, conducted in a 1.56-hectare plot, revealed that most individuals (228) were in the juvenile stage, with aggregation patterns typical of palm species. Seedlings and infants did not cluster near adults, while juveniles and immature individuals were found closer to adults than expected. Dispersal distances for seedlings (mean ± sd = 11.8 ± 7.8 m) mirrored those reported for agouti-mediated dispersal in other studies, suggesting that short-term absence of the disperser does not alter the palm's spatial dynamics.

Localising Islamic knowledge: acquisition and copying of the Riyadha Mosque manuscript collection in Lamu, Kenya (Chapter 5)

Lamu Old Town — 2015 — WHEFC76D01791

A significant portion of the world's documentary heritage, often hidden in vulnerable and inaccessible archives, holds untapped potential for reinterpreting historical phenomena. The Riyadha Mosque manuscript collection in Lamu, Kenya, exemplifies this, preserving Islamic knowledge that remains underexplored due to its fragility and limited accessibility. To address this gap, the Endangered Archives Programme at the British Library marked its tenth anniversary by documenting and publishing such neglected collections online, ensuring their preservation for future research. This effort highlights the critical role of digital archiving in safeguarding endangered knowledge before it is lost, offering new avenues for historical reinterpretation.

Long-term monitoring of landbirds on Aldabra Atoll indicates increasing population trends

Aldabra Atoll — 2015 — WHE35021BA017

An 11-year study of landbird populations on Aldabra Atoll reveals increasing trends for six out of seven monitored species. The research analyzed survey data to assess the impacts of location, season, and habitat on abundance while also evaluating how monitoring factors like observer numbers and weather influenced results. Findings suggest no immediate conservation concerns for these landbird species, though the study highlights the need for improved monitoring protocols to account for variability in data collection. This long-term dataset provides critical insights for managing bird populations in this unique ecosystem.

Long‐term mass transfer at Piton de la Fournaise volcano evidenced by strain distribution derived from GNSS network

Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island — 2015 — WHEEB2EA2745F

Piton de la Fournaise, a basaltic volcano on Reunion Island, exhibits long-term mass transfer from its summit to the eastern flank, contributing to the formation of the Grandes Pentes relief. This process is evidenced by strain distribution analysis derived from a dense GNSS network installed since 2007. The study reveals that during summit deflation (2011-2014), the upper eastern flank extended eastward while the lower flank contracted, steepening the topographic slope. This deformation regime indicates progressive loading of the lower flank by the upper one, suggesting a potential instability. The research also highlights how volcanic 'pulsation'—alternating inflation and deflation—enhances rock fracturing, reduces stiffness, and increases permeability, providing insights into the volcano's structural dynamics.

Looting and vandalism around a World Heritage Site: Documenting modern damage to archaeological heritage in Petra’s hinterland

Petra — 2015 — WHE2B8FF7F690

A study conducted by the Brown University Petra Archaeological Project (BUPAP) reveals significant and ongoing looting and vandalism around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, Jordan. Through intensive field surveys, feature documentation, and test excavations, researchers identified patterns of illegal excavation and defacement of archaeological heritage, both within and outside the Petra Archaeological Park. These activities often result in artifacts being sold to tourists, exacerbating the loss of cultural heritage. The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced monitoring and protection measures to safeguard this iconic site. This study provides critical documentation of these destructive practices over a three-year period, advocating for stronger local authority intervention based on empirical evidence.

Los misterios del patrimonio y el turismo en Elche. Lo global (Unesco) en lo local (identidad)

Palmeral of Elche — 2015 — WHEC2F474B2D4

Elche, Spain, has leveraged its UNESCO-recognized heritage—including the Palmeral of Elche, Misteri d'Elx, and the Museo Escolar de Pusol—to mitigate economic decline by promoting tourism as a sustainable development strategy. The study reveals that while the Palmeral and Misteri form a 'tríada identitaria' driving external branding efforts, the Museo de Pusol, despite its UNESCO recognition, remains underutilized in local tourism strategies. This discrepancy highlights a mismatch between global heritage recognition and local integration, with the former prioritizing outward-facing valorization while the latter sustains traditional culture internally. The research applies a 'mediation model' to analyze top-down practices shaping Elche's identity and tourism development.

Los sistemas defensivos del Real Arsenal de Cartagena (S. XVIII)

Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena — 2015 — WHEC9CA158567

During the 18th century, Cartagena and its arsenal emerged as the primary naval facility of the Spanish Mediterranean, defended by three interconnected fortification systems. The first system comprised perimeter ramparts and a battery to safeguard the shipyard itself, while the second focused on marine defense through batteries at the harbor's mouth. The third system addressed land-based threats with town ramparts and external forts on key hills. These defenses proved effective in protecting both the arsenal and the city from external attacks, remaining operational until the early 20th century when many were abandoned. This study highlights the strategic architectural and military significance of these fortifications during a pivotal period for Spain's naval power.

Los tratados de construcción históricos británicos siglos XVII y XVIII : análisis de sus contenidos sobre técnicas de construcción y su aplicación en rehabilitación

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh — 2015 — WHE17235262E1

Historical British construction treatises from the 17th and 18th centuries, often dismissed for their focus on architectural orders, contain valuable practical insights into construction techniques and materials. This study reveals that these treatises—rooted in Italian and French traditions but adapted to British conditions—document detailed knowledge about elements like foundations, walls, windows, chimneys, and stairs, as well as materials such as brick, lime, stone, mortar, and iron. A key finding is the direct link between post-Great Fire of London (1666) reconstruction demands and the codification of new techniques in treatises, with similar but less urgent developments in Edinburgh following fires in 1698. The research compares treaty prescriptions against surviving buildings in London and Edinburgh to validate their practical application. This work is crucial for modern restoration efforts, offering a bridge between historical practices and contemporary conservation challenges.

Lost and Found in the Cueva de las Manos in Argentina

Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas — 2015 — WHEB46310FE37

A groundbreaking open letter to the people of Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas, Argentina, sheds light on the cultural and historical significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study reveals the intricate relationship between the site's rock art, its natural environment, and the indigenous communities that have inhabited the region for millennia. By integrating geospatial analysis with ethnographic insights, the research offers a nuanced understanding of how these communities have preserved their heritage while navigating modern challenges. This approach not only highlights the importance of Cueva de las Manos as a living cultural landscape but also serves as a model for sustainable conservation practices in similar sites worldwide.

Luis Laorga, arquitecto

Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct — 2015 — WHE6D9770AFDA

This study establishes Luis Laorga as a pivotal figure in Spanish architecture of the mid-to-late 20th century, highlighting his significant contributions through over 600 projects, including award-winning designs like the Basilica of Aránzazu and the Segovia Aqueduct area. Laorga's work, characterized by its rational yet expressive approach, spans diverse scales—from monumental educational complexes (e.g., Laboral Universities) to intimate residential designs—while integrating social initiatives, such as community housing in Madrid's periphery. The research documents his unique architectural language, marked by material innovation, structural rigor, and adaptive design, offering a critical framework for analyzing his oeuvre within Spain's post-war architectural landscape. By synthesizing historical documentation with formal analysis, the study aims to position Laorga's legacy in its rightful place, addressing a notable gap in existing scholarship.

Lyon (Rhône). Vieux-Lyon

Historic Site of Lyon — 2015 — WHE9C4BC02213

A historic building, known as the 'maison du chamarier,' located in the heart of Vieux-Lyon near the Cathedral Saint-Jean-Baptiste, has been recognized for its architectural significance. This structure, comprising three L-shaped buildings with three to four stories that open onto a southern courtyard, was designated a Monument historique in 1943. Adjacent to it is another more recent building also listed as a historic monument, together forming a complete urban block. The study highlights the architectural and historical importance of this ensemble, which reflects the urban development and preservation efforts in Lyon, France.

Macroalgae Inhibits Larval Settlement and Increases Recruit Mortality at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Ningaloo Coast — 2015 — WHEF84CA23C9A

Macroalgae significantly inhibits coral larval settlement and increases recruit mortality at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. A nine-month field experiment demonstrated that macroalgal biomass was up to 40 times greater in caged treatments compared to controls, leading to a 93% reduction in coral larval settlement. Coral recruits in the presence of macroalgae exhibited 79% lower survival and were up to 58% smaller with 75% fewer polyps. This research highlights that macroalgae not only suppresses coral recruitment but may also maintain dominance through a positive feedback loop, exacerbating reef degradation.

Magic in the Cloister

Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church — 2015 — WHE3A49A60AF7

A remarkable collection of over thirty magic texts, donated by monks with occult interests to St. Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury during the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries, reveals a significant shift toward more positive attitudes toward magical ideas in medieval Europe. These texts, which combined justifications for magic with other genres, demonstrate how religious insiders integrated magical studies into their orthodox worldview without contradiction. By analyzing this unique collection, Sophie Page's Magic in the Cloister sheds light on the evolving acceptance of magic within monastic life and broader intellectual culture during this period.