World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 321 – 340 of 15962 publications

Description of a new species of Isoperla Banks, 1906 (Plecoptera: Perlodidae) from Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve of China

Fanjingshan — 2026 — WHEABEB8A1512

Researchers have identified a new species of stonefly, Isoperla fanjingshana, within the diverse genus Isoperla, significantly expanding its known distribution in southwestern China. This discovery was made during surveys in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou Province, and highlights the region's role as a biodiversity hotspot for aquatic insects. The new species is distinguished by unique morphological traits, including a specialized tergum 10 with paired membranous areas and a rhombic sclerite, among others. A provisional key to valid Chinese Isoperla species based on male specimens is also provided, offering a tool for future taxonomic studies. This finding underscores the importance of Fanjingshan's montane stream habitats in supporting high aquatic insect diversity.

Description of Gaiarana asterae gen. et sp. n. from Namaqualand-Richtersveld steppe (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae)

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape — 2026 — WHE28C578A520

Researchers have identified and described a new genus and species of moth, Gaiarana asterae, from the Namaqualand-Richtersveld steppe ecoregion. This discovery adds to the region's rich biodiversity and is notable for its morphological similarities to the genus Trichiurana. The study provides detailed illustrations of adult specimens, their antennae, heads, legs, and genitalia, along with a map of collection sites. The findings contribute to our understanding of lepidopteran diversity in this unique steppe ecosystem, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape.

Design Research on Mount Wutai Lacquer Trays Based on Cultural Hierarchy Theory

Mount Wutai — 2026 — WHE3E38012935

A systematic approach using cultural hierarchy theory successfully enhances the depth and user experience of regional cultural products, as demonstrated by the development of lacquer ceremonial trays for Mount Wutai. The study deconstructed the site's cultural resources into material, behavioral, and spiritual layers, guiding a design process that integrated craftsmanship inheritance, functional adaptation, and emotional resonance. Questionnaire surveys informed the creation of five trays, showcasing how motif extraction, color systems, and form adaptation can reflect regional identity while meeting user needs. This method offers a replicable framework for similar cultural product development.

Designing and Evaluating a Game-Based AR Application for Heritage Learning: Insights from the Choirokoitia Mystery Game

Choirokoitia — 2026 — WHE777EEDD5D0

A game-based Augmented Reality (AR) application designed for heritage learning at the Neolithic site of Choirokoitia demonstrates significant pedagogical and technological potential. This study, rooted in design-based research (DBR) and multimodal theory, reveals how iterative processes can effectively integrate AR into culturally rich educational contexts. The research highlights six key phases, from aligning scenario design with project requirements to identifying future directions, showcasing the complexities and affordances of AR for exploration and collaboration. Task-oriented activities were central to the pedagogical approach, emphasizing the importance of multimodal contexts in enhancing learning experiences within higher education settings.

Destination image across Chinese- and English-language reviews of Macao’s Historic Centre: A cognitive-affective-behavioral analysis

Historic Centre of Macao — 2026 — WHE04C767667E

A comparative analysis of Chinese- and English-language reviews reveals distinct yet overlapping perceptions of Macao’s Historic Centre, shaped by cultural and linguistic nuances. While both groups express predominantly positive attitudes, Chinese-language reviews emphasize iconic landmarks and symbolic heritage, often highlighting crowding, whereas English-language reviews focus more on the immersive atmosphere of East-West cultural integration and experiential value. Action-related language in Chinese reviews leans toward photography and landmark visits, while English reviews associate strongly with walking, exploration, and learning. The study employed advanced text-mining techniques—Latent Dirichlet Allocation for cognitive themes, a Support Vector Machine classifier for sentiment analysis, and semantic co-occurrence networks—to unpack these differences across user-generated content from Ctrip, MaFengWo, and Tripadvisor.

Destination Regeneration: Transforming Overtourism Hotspots into Smart Eco-Regions

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu — 2026 — WHE9D32942543

A transformative approach to combating overtourism, the excessive and often detrimental influx of tourists, is proposed through the concept of 'Smart Eco-Regions.' This model integrates advanced digital infrastructure, sustainable tourism practices, community engagement, and adaptive governance to regenerate overburdened destinations like Venice, Barcelona, Machu Picchu, and Santorini. The study highlights that proactive destination regeneration—rather than reactive crisis management—can preserve cultural heritage, enhance environmental resilience, and foster long-term socio-economic benefits. By balancing visitor experiences with ecological and social sustainability, this framework offers a blueprint for transforming overtourism hotspots into thriving, sustainable eco-regions.

Determinants of Recreational Use of Naromoru, Chogoria and Sirimon Routes of Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest — 2026 — WHED49CAB01F9

A significant variation in visitor satisfaction with campsites exists among the Chogoria, Naromoru, and Sirimon routes of Mount Kenya National Park. This finding stems from a study analyzing recreational use patterns, demographics, and satisfaction levels of 243 tourists using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis. Most visitors were Kenyan nationals aged 20–29, with graduate education and working-class backgrounds. While no significant associations were found for gender, origin, or education level, age and occupation showed notable correlations with recreation routes. Additionally, differences in length of stay (most visitors stayed four days) and group size (small groups of one to four individuals) were observed across the routes. The study provides critical baseline data for park management and tourism planning in Kenya's mountain regions.

Determination of organic contaminants in groundwater from Anaga Rural Park and El Teide National Park (Canary Islands, Spain) by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Teide National Park — 2026 — WHE3BC419F6A3

A multi-class assessment of organic contaminants in groundwater from Anaga Rural Park and El Teide National Park, two protected volcanic environments in Tenerife, Canary Islands, reveals trace levels of anthropogenic pollutants. The study detected compounds such as myclobutanil, tebuconazole, oxolinic acid, caffeine, and carbamazepine, indicating potential influence from agricultural activities and wastewater infiltration. Researchers developed a sensitive analytical method using automated solid-phase extraction followed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), validated for accuracy and sensitivity at the ng/L level. This work provides one of the first comprehensive evaluations of organic contaminants in protected volcanic aquifers, offering insights into groundwater vulnerability and supporting future monitoring and water management strategies in these ecologically significant areas.

Developing a geogebra-based ethno-didactical module on Prambanan temple geometry to foster mathematical mindset

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2026 — WHE22E3CE8BC3

A GeoGebra-based ethno-didactical module centered on Prambanan Temple's geometry significantly enhances students' mathematical mindset. By integrating the cultural context of Prambanan's batur structure with interactive digital activities, the module fosters problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a constructive view of errors. Validated through expert reviews, student feedback, and mindset assessments, this approach demonstrates that culturally grounded digital tasks can effectively support geometric learning outcomes while promoting resilience in mathematical challenges.

Developing a heritage impact assessment framework for cultural World Heritage protection: a case study of West Lake Cultural Landscape

West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou — 2026 — WHEB447C9E37B

A structured heritage impact assessment (HIA) framework, tailored for World Heritage contexts, demonstrates that late-stage interventions can effectively mitigate adverse development impacts on Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). Applied to the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou—a UNESCO-listed site under significant urban pressure—the framework identifies critical visual disruptions from a hotel expansion and proposes targeted mitigation strategies, such as height reduction and landscape buffering. By integrating value-based assessment with practical tools for heritage attribute identification and impact evaluation, this approach offers a transferable solution to balance development pressures while preserving cultural integrity. The study underscores the necessity of rigorous, adaptive planning in heritage-sensitive urban contexts.

Developing the Nomination Process for unesco’s Transnational Silk Roads Heritage Route

Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor — 2026 — WHEEBE0A49463

UNESCO successfully developed and implemented a groundbreaking nomination process for its transnational Silk Roads Heritage Route, culminating in the inscription of two historic corridors on the World Heritage List. The first stretch, inscribed in 2014, encompassed 33 component sites across China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, spanning 5,000 kilometers. A decade later, the second stretch, the Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor, jointly submitted by Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, was inscribed in 2023. This achievement marked a significant evolution in UNESCO's approach to World Heritage, fostering collaboration among diverse nations with distinct languages and political landscapes. The process not only raised global awareness of shared cultural heritage but also set new standards for transnational nominations.

Development of Orientation Skills in Second Grade: Experiences of Participants in the Educational Process

Vilnius Historic Centre — 2026 — WHEAB6E2C4D16

An orienteering hike for second-grade students in Vilnius Old Town successfully developed their orientation skills, including navigation, spatial thinking, and map reading. The activity, designed during a teaching practice, engaged 11 stations with exercises that enhanced attentiveness, teamwork, and environmental connection while maintaining optimal time management. Analysis of worksheets and student reflections highlighted the hike's effectiveness in fostering historical, cultural, and natural awareness. However, future implementations should refine exercise formulation for clarity and provide structured resources to ensure equal participation opportunities.

Dharmashiksha and swadeshbhakti at the Santiniketan ashram

Santiniketan — 2026 — WHE4EAD8C3B92

Rabindranath Tagore's Santiniketan ashram uniquely blended spiritual cultivation (dharmashiksha) with a form of patriotism (swadeshbhakti), distinct from conventional nationalism. This study reveals how Tagore's curricular design fostered creative devotion to one's 'own country' (swadesh) rather than mechanical national identity, diverging from the political nationalism prevalent in Bengal during his time. By analyzing Tagore's tracts on 'desh' and 'samaj,' the research demonstrates that swadeshbhakti aimed to cultivate a personal, empathetic connection to place and society, contrasting with the impersonal machinery of nation-states. The ashram itself served as a microcosm of this ideal, offering a model for broader societal transformation.

Diagnosing walkability and entrance crowding at the scenic–city interface: geospatial analysis around West Lake hotels, Hangzhou, China

West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou — 2026 — WHE24AB7E2220

A geospatial analysis of West Lake, Hangzhou, reveals significant spatial inequality in pedestrian crowding at scenic entrances, with late-afternoon peaks and overlapping heritage resources and high activity intensity along certain corridors. The study identifies differentiated hotel distribution patterns and mixed-use surroundings, highlighting areas prone to congestion. Using multi-source data—including hotel locations (1,010), scenic entrances (125), shortest walking routes, and time-sliced population heatmaps—the research provides spatial evidence for optimizing entrance management, wayfinding, and route diversification in urban heritage destinations. These findings offer actionable insights for governance and planning in rapidly urbanizing Asian contexts.

Did the 2019 notre-dame cathedral fire impact the lead contamination of sediment in the Seine River in Paris, France?

Paris, Banks of the Seine — 2026 — WHE293ECE446D

A study analyzing sediment from the Seine River in Paris found that while lead (Pb) contamination spiked in 2020, the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire was not a significant contributor. The research compared sediment samples collected during floods in 2016, 2020, and 2021, revealing that 2020's deposits—likely older subsurface material—showed higher contamination levels, particularly near Notre-Dame. Some samples matched isotopic signatures of the fire's dust, but overall, urban sources dominated Pb pollution. The findings suggest the fire had a negligible impact on river sediment contamination, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring to address public concerns.

Die Stadtgartenvilla in Baden – Geschichte, Nutzung und Zukunftsperspektiven eines kurstädtischen Wohnraums

The Great Spa Towns of Europe — 2026 — WHE004A6DA2FA

A denkmalpflegerisches Sanierungs- und Nachnutzungskonzept for the Stadtgartenvilla in Baden, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Great Spa Towns of Europe,' demonstrates that restoring historical structures can simultaneously preserve cultural heritage and meet modern urban needs. The study highlights the tension between the villa's original design and recent alterations while proposing a multifunctional reuse strategy that integrates gärtnerischen operations, administrative functions, and seasonal public events in the Palmenhaus. By emphasizing reversibility and adherence to historical spatial configurations, the concept enhances both the monument's value and its adaptability for contemporary use.

Digital Heritage Construction:Creating a Virtual Reality Experience of the Construction of the Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House — 2026 — WHEDA945C03B7

Virtual reality can significantly enhance the interpretation of architectural heritage by revealing the cultural significance embedded in construction processes. A study on the Sydney Opera House demonstrates that immersive digital environments, created through 3D reconstruction and analysis of original construction drawings, effectively communicate the historical value of construction methods and temporary activities. This approach expands heritage interpretation beyond the completed building, supporting education and public engagement. The project, which won a National Trust Heritage Award in 2024, showcases how digital tools can bridge the gap between past construction practices and contemporary understanding.

Digital heritage integration of Kunqu opera and Suzhou classical gardens

Classical Gardens of Suzhou — 2026 — WHE6BA89ED35F

Research demonstrates that integrating Kunqu opera performances with Suzhou classical gardens through 'living documentation' significantly enhances cultural understanding and audience engagement. By combining multi-camera arrays and Gaussian Splatting, the study creates an Integrated Digital Theater that provides photorealistic, site-specific reenactments, linking intangible cultural heritage (ICH) to its material context. User studies reveal improved spatiality, realism, and cultural wholeness compared to traditional VR methods, fostering simultaneous interest in both Kunqu opera and the gardens. This approach addresses the gap in current 3D digitization efforts by embedding performance data within tangible heritage environments.

Digital Preservation of Taishan Shadow Puppetry through Online Museum Design.

Mount Taishan — 2026 — WHE10A03C7AA7

An online museum framework for Taishan shadow puppetry effectively addresses challenges of cultural transmission by integrating documentary preservation, interactive learning, and live engagement with inheritors. This approach goes beyond static archiving to foster participation, interpretation, and intergenerational attachment, as demonstrated through qualitative fieldwork in Tai’an, Shandong Province. The study identifies key issues—limited succession, declining audience engagement, cultural dilution, and constrained transmission pathways—and proposes a design that aligns with emotional design principles. This method ensures digital safeguarding supports dynamic heritage preservation while adapting to modern media habits.

Digital technology and risk management in rural tourism: Insights from Langhe, Roero and Monferrato

Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato — 2026 — WHEE1916DC0D1

Rural tourism in UNESCO-listed regions can enhance competitiveness and sustainability through strategic digitalization aligned with risk management. A study on Italy's Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato vineyard landscapes reveals how local actors leverage digital tools—such as data analytics, online marketing, and platform-based collaboration—to mitigate environmental, market, and climate-related risks while preserving cultural identity. The research identifies key risk categories and demonstrates that digital innovation, when integrated with resilience strategies, fosters long-term adaptability in rural destinations. This approach offers practical insights for policymakers and destination managers to navigate post-pandemic challenges and ensure sustainable development.