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Success And Failure in Transylvanian Fortified Church Conservation

Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania — 2025 — WHEE1FFDC90DE

Transylvanian fortified churches, often called 'peasant citadels,' have undergone complex conservation histories marked by both successes and failures. These structures, serving as micro-settlements with defensive functions, have been the subject of conservation efforts since the 19th century, with significant interventions during the interwar period and post-war decades. The study traces these efforts over nearly 50 years, revealing a dynamic yet uneven process. Key examples—such as Ilieni, Alma Vii, Roşia, and Drăuşeni—highlight diverse outcomes in conservation quality. The findings suggest that while some interventions have endured, others have failed partially or entirely, offering valuable lessons for future preservation efforts.

Sug'diyona Hududidagi Ilk Shaharlar va Ularning Mudofaa Devorlari (M.A. IV–I Ming Yilliklar)

Proto-urban Site of Sarazm — 2025 — WHE216E232A37

Archaeological analysis of early urban settlements in the Sug'diyona region (modern-day Uzbekistan and northern Tajikistan) reveals sophisticated defensive wall systems dating from 4,000 to 1,000 years ago. These structures, examined at sites like Sarazm, Koktepa, and Afrasiab (Samarqand), demonstrate advanced urban planning during the Bronze and Iron Ages, with walls serving as key defenses against nomadic migrations and reflecting Achaemenid imperial influence. The study integrates findings on irrigation, metallurgy, and trade to highlight the region's role in early urbanization, offering new insights into the social and political dynamics of proto-urban development.

Suitability Evaluation System of World Cultural Heritage Tourism Planning Based on Effective Interpretation of Heritage Value. A Case Study of the Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape of Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er, China

Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er — 2025 — WHE448D9A3465

Researchers have developed a novel evaluation system to assess the suitability of tourism planning for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, focusing on effective heritage value interpretation. Using the ancient tea forests of Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er, China, as a case study, the study applies the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate multiple elements critical to heritage tourism, including resources, interpretive conditions, and planning design. This system provides a practical framework for rational development and evaluation, ensuring that tourism plans align with the preservation and interpretation of cultural landscapes. The approach bridges abstract concepts with actionable standards, offering a significant contribution to sustainable heritage management.

Support for large-scale tourism infrastructure projects: porters’ reactions to the proposed cable car development on Mount Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania

Kilimanjaro National Park — 2025 — WHE276FA58554

A proposed cable car development on Mount Kilimanjaro could face significant opposition from porters, who are at risk of losing not only economic benefits but also their identity and standing within their communities. This study reveals that porters' risk aversion extends beyond financial concerns to include psychological, social, and political empowerment. Using a mixed-method approach grounded in Prospect theory and Weber’s Theory of Formal and Substantive Rationality, researchers analyzed how these stakeholders perceive the trade-offs associated with large-scale tourism infrastructure projects. The findings underscore the need for countries considering such developments to carefully evaluate their broader implications on stakeholders' livelihoods and social dynamics.

Supporting resilience-based coral reef management using broadscale threshold approaches

Aldabra Atoll — 2025 — WHEB070882A09

Aldabra Atoll, a remote marine protected area (MPA) in the western Indian Ocean, demonstrates high coral reef resilience comparable to well-managed MPAs. A study assessing reef condition against broadscale ecological thresholds—including structural complexity, fish biomass, and juvenile coral density—found that seven of eight seaward reefs met or exceeded expected resilience levels even after the 2016 mass bleaching event, with minimal impact from nearby research activities. The findings support the use of broadscale thresholds for resilience-based management, particularly in data-limited regions, while also highlighting the need to expand threshold categories and incorporate site-specific factors for more nuanced assessments.

Surfaced—The Digital Pile Dwellings

Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps — 2025 — WHE367E83D621

A digital revolution is unlocking Austria's hidden UNESCO-listed pile dwellings, preserving 7000 years of submerged and bog-buried heritage. The project 'Surfaced—the Digital Pile Dwellings' has digitized 500 high-resolution artefacts from five sites, transforming them into interactive 3D models accessible via the open-access web application PfahlbauKompass. This innovative approach bridges physical inaccessibility with virtual exploration, offering unprecedented access to finds from national museums, regional heritage houses, and private collections. Beyond archiving, it serves as a platform for scientific research, virtual exhibitions, and educational initiatives, significantly enhancing public awareness of these underwater archaeological treasures.

Survivor Agency in the Post-Genocide Memorialization Process in Rwanda

Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero — 2025 — WHE25C4B1DB6D

Survivor agency plays a pivotal role in shaping post-genocide memorialization processes, yet it has been largely overlooked in academic discourse. This study highlights how survivors, alongside local communities and organizations, actively contribute to the creation and narrative of memorial sites, particularly at the grassroots level, rather than being passive recipients of state-driven initiatives. Through extensive fieldwork and survivor testimonies, researchers demonstrate that memorialization is a multifaceted process involving state efforts, institutional actors, and grassroots participation. This challenges the dominant narrative that reduces memorialization to questions of state power, enriching the discourse on transitional justice and collective memory.

Sustainability Analysis of Kalong Cave Ecotourism in Pasir Panjang Village, Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park — 2025 — WHEDCF8EF69F6

A sustainability analysis of Kalong Cave ecotourism in Pasir Panjang Village, Komodo National Park, reveals a current sustainability index of 69.33%, indicating moderate sustainability. The study employed the Multi-aspect Sustainability Analysis (MSA) approach to assess four key aspects—ecology, social, economy, and institutions—across 31 interrelated factors. By identifying eight sensitive factors, researchers formulated a realistic scenario that could elevate the sustainability index to 89.47%, classifying it as 'very sustainable.' This analysis highlights the potential for optimizing ecotourism management in Komodo National Park through targeted improvements, offering a blueprint for balancing economic benefits with ecological and social preservation.

Sustainability Tourism Policy as a Tool to Minimise the Negative Effects of Overtourism: Case – UNESCO City of Kraków

Historic Centre of Kraków — 2025 — WHE41D179B8E0

Kraków faces significant challenges due to overtourism, with nearly 15 million visitors in 2024. While tourism contributes 8% to the city's GDP and supports 40,000 jobs, it has led to negative impacts on residents' quality of life and the transformation of historic districts into commercial zones. To address these issues, the local government implemented a sustainable tourism policy strategy in 2020, focusing on attracting affluent tourists, developing congresses, and managing areas such as night-time economy, short-term rentals, visitor dispersion, respect for locality, responsible behavior, and city reputation. This case study provides examples of actions taken to balance tourism development, offering insights into effective strategies for minimizing the negative effects of overtourism in UNESCO-listed cities.

Sustainable Business Model Innovation

Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire — 2025 — WHE2EF792DDAE

A sustainable business model innovation for Cumalıkızık Village successfully integrates cultural heritage preservation, local development, and digitalization. The model, developed using Gassmann's Magic Triangle and the Business Model Canvas framework within the REMODEL Horizon Europe Project, leverages competitor analysis, field observations, and stakeholder interviews to create concrete strategies. It offers a practical roadmap for stakeholders aiming to innovate in tourism while addressing sustainability challenges.

Sustainable Business Model Innovation: The Case of Cumalikiz Restaurant

Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire — 2025 — WHE81F19C561A

Cumalıkızık Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Ottoman architecture and cultural richness, faces sustainability challenges due to seasonal tourism surges. A study highlights that while tourism significantly boosts the village's economy, it also strains infrastructure such as parking and traffic management during peak seasons. Additionally, the lack of diversity in services, particularly the dominance of breakfast offerings among restaurants, limits the village's potential for sustainable growth. The research suggests that addressing these issues through innovative business models could enhance both economic resilience and environmental sustainability in heritage sites like Cumalıkızık.

Sustainable Financing for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): A Case Study of the Shiretoko Natural World Heritage Site

Shiretoko — 2025 — WHED9E0F5E715

Shiretoko's marine protected area (MPA), part of Japan's Natural World Heritage Site, demonstrates how innovative financing can sustain biodiversity conservation efforts. The study highlights the financial mechanisms that have enabled effective protection and management, offering valuable lessons for other MPAs globally. By analyzing Shiretoko's approach, researchers identify key strategies that balance economic sustainability with ecological preservation, aligning with the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). This case study provides actionable insights for conservation finance, emphasizing the potential of community-based and innovative funding models to support long-term marine protection.

Sustainable Heritage Planning for Urban Mass Tourism and Rural Abandonment: An Integrated Approach to the Safranbolu–Amasra Eco-Cultural Route

City of Safranbolu — 2025 — WHE97EB92EB73

A resilient eco-cultural tourism route for Safranbolu and Amasra, Türkiye, offers a solution to the dual challenges of urban mass tourism and rural abandonment. This approach, inspired by historical travel itineraries, integrates participatory planning, crowdsourcing, GIS analysis, AI clustering, and multi-criteria decision-making to strengthen heritage conservation while fostering sustainable development. The study identifies critical gaps in site management strategies, capacity-building, and stakeholder engagement, highlighting the need for more inclusive and adaptive governance models. By leveraging advanced technologies and collaborative methodologies, this framework mitigates the negative impacts of tourism pressures on UNESCO-listed sites, providing a replicable model for other heritage destinations.

Sustainable innovation for the clear waters of Hangzhou West Lake, China: Achievements and insights

West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou — 2025 — WHEC7D9D26E86

A stable aquatic system dominated by submerged macrophytes has been successfully reestablished in Hangzhou West Lake, China's first lake-related UNESCO World Heritage site, for over 15 years. This achievement was accomplished through a long-term synergistic restoration strategy that included paludification prevention, external nutrient loading reduction, internal nutrient control, and stable system regulation. The study highlights the effectiveness of these measures in inhibiting phytoplankton propagation while enhancing water self-purification capacity and landscape function. Building on 2,000 years of management history, this research provides cross-century evidence for eutrophication restoration strategies applicable to similar subtropical shallow urban lakes.

Sustainable Management of UNESCO Landscapes to Foster Natural and Cultural Capital

Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia — 2025 — WHE4692D4EC7A

A study of the Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia reveals significant landscape changes from 1954 to 2023, with a 23% alteration in land cover. While the site's recognition as a UNESCO area has mitigated some fragmentation, concerns persist, particularly in its buffer zone, which includes the ancient Etruscan city and lacks adequate protection. The research identifies critical management strategies, such as expanding the core area to include the ancient city, restoring naturalistic connections like the ancient path, and reforesting sensitive archaeological areas to combat landscape fragmentation. These actions aim to foster both natural and cultural capital, ensuring sustainable conservation for future generations.

Sustainable mobility as a climate adaptation response in protected world heritage areas using Perception of Outstanding Universal Value: The Case of Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta Indonesia

The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks — 2025 — WHEBF7B41DFBF

Sustainable mobility solutions, such as low-emission public transportation and expanded pedestrian infrastructure, can effectively mitigate traffic-related emissions while preserving the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A study on the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta, designated in 2023, demonstrates that targeted interventions—such as low-emission zones and improved transit networks—can address congestion hotspots without compromising cultural or ecological integrity. Researchers used geospatial analysis, emission modeling, and stakeholder surveys to identify critical traffic patterns and air quality risks, revealing that while most areas remain stable, high-congestion zones require urgent action. These findings provide actionable strategies for urban planners and policymakers to balance climate adaptation with heritage preservation in rapidly urbanizing protected areas.

Sustainable tourism and World Heritage site: A case study of the historic centre of Porto

Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar — 2025 — WHED58A2F9145

Rising tourism and real estate speculation in Porto, Portugal, following its 1996 UNESCO World Heritage designation, are significantly altering the city's urban heritage and social fabric. A study reveals that while new constructions preserving only facades create 'points of memory' for visitors, they violate heritage integrity. The 'golden visa' program has further transformed the historic center into a hub of short-term accommodations, displacing locals and creating a sense of insecurity among residents. Experts argue that visitor numbers are already excessive, threatening Porto's Outstanding Universal Value. Through on-field interviews, social surveys, roundtable discussions with scholars, and consultations with governmental representatives, the research explores sustainable tourism strategies to ensure visitors contribute positively to local heritage while preserving its authenticity.

Sustainable Tourism Management at Prambanan Temple: Analysis of Utilization, Cultural Preservation, and Local Community Welfare

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2025 — WHE81873CE6EB

Sustainable tourism management at Prambanan Temple faces significant coordination challenges between PT Taman Wisata Candi (TWC) and the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center and Museum (BPK MCB), which hinder balanced economic equity, cultural preservation, and local community welfare. Despite efforts to engage communities through MSME involvement and labor absorption, economic benefits remain unevenly distributed, and participation in planning and evaluation is limited. Differences in priorities, lack of structured formal meetings, and overlapping regulations exacerbate these issues, while over-commercialization risks eroding the authenticity of cultural heritage. The study advocates for regulatory synchronization, strengthened community-based tourism approaches, fair benefit distribution, and holistic collaboration among stakeholders to effectively balance tourism utilization, conservation, and local welfare.

Sveti Sava Srpski i Sakralne Osnove Države Nemanjića

Studenica Monastery — 2025 — WHEE026C4D647

St. Sava, a pivotal figure in Serbian history, orchestrated a visionary program to establish a sacral foundation for the nascent Nemanjić state during its political rise in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. His efforts included securing relics from the Holy Land, such as those of Christ and other evangelical figures, and donating them to Žiča, Serbia's cathedral and coronation church, thereby transforming it into a symbolic substitute for the Holy Land. Sava also cultivated the cult of his father, Simeon Nemanja, whose myrrh-gushing relics were transferred to Studenica, further solidifying the state's sacral roots. This study reveals how Sava's initiatives, rooted in theological teachings and dynastic propaganda, established Serbia as a 'New Israel' and integrated it into the broader European context through rituals like the coronation of Stefan the First-Crowned on relics. The research approach involves analyzing hagiographic, liturgical, and material aspects to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of Sava's sacral program.

Systemic Quantifications: Unveiling Order in the Mature Harappan Phase (2700–1900 BCE)

Dholavira: a Harappan City — 2025 — WHEDFB6155E81

A sophisticated system of standardization and order underpinned the Mature Harappan Phase (2700–1900 BCE) of the Indus Valley Civilization, as revealed by systemic quantifications. This study identifies consistent metrics in brick dimensions, weights, urban grids, ceramics, and hydraulic engineering across major sites like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dholavira, suggesting a centralized administrative mechanism or cultural consensus. By moving beyond qualitative analysis to quantitative assessment, the research uncovers deliberate design principles that maintained societal coherence over centuries, offering new insights into the socio-economic structures of this ancient civilization.