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reGREENeration of Historic Cairo. Hara al-Nabawiya and Bayt Madkour in al-Darb Al-Ahmar

Historic Cairo — 2020 — WHE1ADB7EFDCA

Historic Cairo's al-Darb al-Ahmar district faces rapid, unregulated densification threatening its historic courtyards and open spaces (Haras). This study proposes urban strategies to restore these ecological and social hubs, addressing UNESCO's calls for preserving tangible and intangible heritage integrity. By leveraging remaining courtyards like Hara al-Nabawiya and Bayt Madkour, the research aims to reformulate an ecologically sustainable urban fabric while fostering community development. The approach combines heritage conservation with proactive urban planning to halt demolition and deterioration in high-value districts.

Regular Building as an Important Element of the Historical Urban Environment (on the Example of Saint Petersburg)

Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments — 2020 — WHEA07ABE17DC

Saint Petersburg's historic center exemplifies how regular buildings preserve urban cultural identity while maintaining the integrity of historical environments. This study highlights that such structures are crucial for sustaining the perceived image and authenticity of cities, ensuring their sustainability in the face of urbanization. By analyzing international and Russian regulatory documents, researchers demonstrate that regular buildings contribute to the invariability of a city's visual and associative landscape, reinforcing its intangible heritage value. The findings underscore the need for sustainable development approaches that balance conservation with modern urban growth, ensuring the long-term preservation of historically significant urban environments.

Regulating Subsidence and its uncertainty in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Wadden Sea — 2020 — WHEB7347ACD8C

Gas production in the Dutch Wadden Sea often results in subsidence that can differ by a factor of two or three from initial predictions due to uncertainties in mechanisms and models. To manage these risks, the Dutch regulator, SSM, implemented an improved approach involving intensified field monitoring, scenario analysis covering uncertainty ranges, and advanced data analysis techniques like particle filters. This integrated control loop ensures that subsidence remains within allowed limits by continuously updating predictions, assessing measurements, and mitigating risks while closing knowledge gaps. The approach is supported by legal frameworks and operational conditions to protect the site's natural values.

Reimagining Heerenstraat: Active Heritage in Paramaribo’s Historic Inner City

Historic Inner City of Paramaribo — 2020 — WHE6DAF3B3DD5

A collaborative workshop, part of the Paramaribo Urban Rehabilitation Program (PURP), identified Heerenstraat as a key site for sustainable revitalization within Paramaribo’s Historic Inner City. The study, involving TU Delft students and local stakeholders, demonstrated that small-scale interventions—focusing on spatial justice, social participation, and urban liveliness—can effectively enhance the street's potential as an iconic destination. Leveraging Paramaribo’s shared colonial history with Amsterdam, the workshop integrated insights from Dutch-Surinamese perspectives and cultural archives to develop a concrete roadmap for a more inclusive, safe, and vibrant public space.

Reinventing and Promoting Northern Industrial Heritage: Regeneration in the Textile Sites of Ancoats and Saltaire

Saltaire — 2020 — WHE36F1A2CCE4

Northern England's post-industrial cities, particularly Manchester and Bradford, are reimagining their identities through heritage-led regeneration. A comparative analysis of Ancoats and Saltaire reveals distinct approaches to leveraging industrial textile heritage for urban revitalization and tourism promotion. While both districts aim to shed their 'deindustrialized' image, they differ significantly in how they integrate their industrial past into contemporary development strategies. Saltaire's approach stands out for its deliberate balance between honoring its textile mill heritage and positioning itself as a forward-looking cultural destination, offering a model for sustainable urban regeneration. The study highlights the potential of industrial heritage as both an economic driver and a tool for identity reinvention in post-industrial landscapes.

Relationship between soil characteristics and altitude with the sensory quality of coffee grown under agroforestry systems in Cusco, Peru

City of Cuzco — 2020 — WHEEDA294D25B

Research reveals that altitude and soil characteristics significantly influence the sensory quality of coffee grown under agroforestry systems in Cusco, Peru. Specifically, higher altitudes correlate with increased acidity and aluminum concentration in soils, while levels of available phosphorus, calcium, and exchangeable potassium remain low, except for changeable magnesium, which is high. The study, conducted across 56 farms ranging from 1312 to 1910 meters above sea level, found that 50% of the samples qualified as 'Very Good' specialty coffee, scoring between 80 and 84 on sensory evaluations using the SCAA methodology. Key attributes like sweetness, balance, aroma, and flavor improved with altitude, highlighting the positive impact of these factors on coffee quality. The findings underscore the potential for economic and social benefits for small producers by leveraging altitude and soil characteristics to enhance coffee sensory quality.

Relative abundance and activity patterns of terrestrial carnivorous mammals in Península Valdés, Patagonia, Argentina

Península Valdés — 2020 — WHE85A6CE7AD1

A study on Península Valdés, Argentina, reveals distinct activity patterns among terrestrial carnivorous mammals. Conepatus chinga and Leopardus geoffroyi exhibit cathemeral activity, while Lycalopex gymnocercus shows a more nocturnal pattern. Puma concolor and Leopardus colocolo were less frequently detected, limiting detailed behavioral analysis. The research used camera traps over 18 months, capturing 256 independent events across diverse plant communities in San Pablo de Valdés Wildlife Reserve. Findings underscore the need for expanded sampling to better understand population dynamics and inform conservation strategies, emphasizing the importance of ecological data in monitoring threatened species.

Relative Abundance of Thiolated Species of As, Mo, W, and Sb in Hot Springs of Yellowstone National Park and Iceland

Yellowstone National Park — 2020 — WHE7F39635FF5

Research reveals that thiolated species of arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), and antimony (Sb) are prevalent in sulfide-rich hot springs, particularly in Yellowstone National Park and Iceland. Thioarsenates were the most abundant and widespread, often dominating arsenic speciation, while thiomolybdates also dominated in many Icelandic springs. Thiotungstates and thioantimonates were less frequent but still significant contributors. The study highlights that thiolation substantially influences the speciation of these elements, with higher sulfide-to-metal(loid) ratios leading to greater thiolation, especially in Icelandic systems. These findings underscore the necessity of analyzing thiolated species when studying geothermal environments, as traditional methods often overlook their presence.

Relief generation and soil in the dry zone of Sri Lanka

Ancient City of Sigiriya — 2020 — WHEB4266623CC

Research identifies the dry zone of Sri Lanka, characterized by less than 1750 mm annual rainfall and at least three arid months, as a region where recent latosol formation is climatically bounded. The study reveals that this zone features distinct geomorphological traits, including inselbergs and triangular embayments formed by the youngest planation surface meeting the central hill country. Notably, large hollows or caves are observed in bare rock inselbergs around Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, and Dambulla, providing insights into the region's geological history. The research employs a combination of geomorphological and pedological analysis to delineate these features, offering valuable understanding for both academic and conservation contexts.

Reliefs of the Summer Palace: An Early Onset of Russian Antiquity

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2020 — WHE6877435A1B

The reliefs of the Summer Palace represent an early attempt at classical art in Russia, distinct from the works of Andreas Schlüter or his successors. These 28 bas-reliefs and one haute-relief, themed around Ovid’s Metamorphoses, blend propagandistic allegories with personal reflections on Peter the Great's life. The study reveals that while some reliefs are modeled after engravings by Giovanni Andrea Maglioli, the majority draw inspiration from a set of 226 engravings by Charles Le Brun, accompanying a free-verse translation of Metamorphoses by Isaac de Berserade. This work, encountered by Peter during his Great Embassy or among European friends' collections, provided the first comprehensive plastic representation of Ovid’s works in Russia. The reliefs exhibit inventive compositions and recurrent maritime motifs, suggesting Peter's direct involvement and a unique synthesis of literary, allegorical, personal, and statesmanlike elements.

Religious statecraft: Narratives of persecution and diplomacy in the case of Byzantine, Aksum and Himyar

Aksum — 2020 — WHE02161EE90A

Byzantine diplomatic correspondence reveals that Aksum's religious policy on the Arabian Peninsula was intricately linked to the Constantinian religio-political matrix, positioning Byzantine Rome as a key arbiter of early Christianity. Analysis of letters from Constantine and Constantius decodes Aksum as an active participant in 4th-century CE Christian dynamics, characterized by narratives of orthodoxy and persecution. This study sheds light on the complex interplay between diplomacy and religious statecraft during this period, offering new insights into the political and theological landscape of late antiquity.

Religious tourism and environmental conservation in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, World Heritage Site, Nepal.

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha — 2020 — WHED841904B65

Lumbini, Nepal's UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Lord Buddha, faces significant challenges in balancing religious tourism growth with environmental conservation. The Lumbini Master Plan (LMP), nearing completion in 2019, aimed to integrate natural landscapes into pilgrimage experiences while addressing social, economic, and ecological impacts. However, its implementation has struggled to keep pace with rapid development driven by international investments, leading to conflicts between local dynamics and the plan's original vision. This study critically evaluates the LMP's design and execution, highlighting the need for sustainable management strategies to ensure Lumbini's long-term preservation amid increasing visitor numbers and infrastructure expansion.

Reliving history: the digital reconstruction of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan

Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci — 2020 — WHE8E0BA96CBE

A groundbreaking digital reconstruction of the Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, home to Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper,' reveals the complex evolutionary history of this Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece. By integrating documentary sources, architectural treatises, period photographs, and 3D modeling, researchers mapped the chronological succession of the convent's transformations—from harmonious Renaissance interventions to incompatible 18th–19th century additions. The resulting 3D models not only serve as a tool for verifying reconstruction hypotheses but also create dynamic databases that can be easily consulted and updated, offering unprecedented insights into cultural heritage preservation and historical analysis.

Remembering Genocide in Cambodia

Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection — 2020 — WHE57406AB2A1

Forty years after the Cambodian genocide, two memorial sites have transformed from centres of repression into places of peace and reflection. This photo essay visually documents their evolution, capturing the enduring impact of historical trauma on landscape and memory. Through evocative imagery and narrative, it explores how these sites now serve as symbols of resilience and reconciliation, offering a poignant perspective on the long-term effects of genocide on society.

Remote Sensing Detection and Impact Analysis of Tibetan Human Landscape in Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area — 2020 — WHE0EDD429878

A significant increase in vulnerability has been detected in the Tibetan human landscape of Jiuzhaigou Valley, with natural environmental factors playing a more substantial role than tourism activities. However, tourism's negative impact on protection efforts is nearly three times greater than the positive benefits of protective measures. The study utilized remote sensing and spatial data to quantitatively evaluate landscape vulnerability, offering a rapid tool for change detection analysis. It also highlights the need to reconstruct current management models to address the disappearing human landscape, particularly as tourism development threatens the Balance Zone.

Remote sensing of american maple in alluvial forests: a case study in an island complex of the Loire valley (France)

The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes — 2020 — WHEDD1EC097F8

A groundbreaking study demonstrates that American maple (Acer negundo L.) can be detected with over 90% accuracy in alluvial forests using a combination of LiDAR data and very high-resolution multispectral imagery. The research, conducted on an island complex in the Loire Valley, France, reveals that coupling point cloud height standard deviation with a red-green-blue vegetation index effectively discriminates this invasive species from native Black poplar (Populus nigra L.) forests. This method offers a precise tool for monitoring biodiversity in riparian ecosystems, which are critical due to their unique topographic position between land and river. The findings highlight the potential of remote sensing techniques to enhance conservation efforts in these ecologically rich environments.

Remote Sensing-Based Mapping of Senescent Leaf C:N Ratio in the Sundarbans Reserved Forest Using Machine Learning Techniques

The Sundarbans — 2020 — WHE0A756B14E6

Research demonstrates that remote sensing data, specifically Landsat TM and Landsat 8 imagery, can accurately map the carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of senescent leaves in mangroves, including the Sundarbans Reserved Forest. The study compared four machine learning models—Stochastic Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and Partial Least Square Regression—and found that SGB, RF, and SVM outperformed PLSR with statistically significant accuracy (p < 0.05). This breakthrough enables the spatial and temporal monitoring of litter quality, a critical factor in soil decomposition and biogeochemical cycles. The findings highlight the potential for integrating remote sensing techniques into ecosystem modeling to better understand mangrove dynamics.

Removal of Bats’ Excreta from Water-Soluble Wall Paintings Using Temporary Hydrophobic Coating

Ajanta Caves — 2020 — WHEAEDB5CC92F

A novel two-step cleaning method using Cyclododecane (CDD) and phytagel successfully removed bat guano from water-sensitive wall paintings at India's Ajanta Caves without damaging the underlying proteinaceous binder. The study demonstrated that CDD, a volatile hydrophobic coating, effectively protected painted surfaces from moisture ingress while allowing for selective cleaning with de-ionized water. This approach avoids the risks associated with traditional aqueous methods, which can compromise the integrity of the paint and plaster layers. The findings highlight the potential of this reversible consolidant technique for preserving similar sites globally, offering a less invasive solution for guano removal in sensitive archaeological contexts.

Répartition spatio-temporelle des températures dans l’agglomération de Kairouan (Tunisie) pendant la saison chaude 2019

Kairouan — 2020 — WHEBA1D4D1719

Urban heat island (UHI) intensity in Kairouan, Tunisia, varies significantly with weather conditions, ranging from 2 to 9°C during the summer of 2019. This study reveals that while the average UHI effect is around 4°C compared to rural areas, its intensity fluctuates based on atmospheric conditions. The research employed both fixed and mobile measurements to map spatio-temporal temperature variations, identifying northwest agricultural and hilly zones as the coolest areas in the agglomeration. Notably, the study also highlights a disconnect between UHI patterns and perceived thermal comfort: dry air in the city center can lower felt temperatures despite higher actual temperatures. These findings underscore the complex interplay of urban morphology, substrate characteristics, and microclimatic factors in shaping local heat dynamics.

Report: Indonesian Ramayana Festival at Prambanan (2012)

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2020 — WHE41DB641F19

The 2012 National Ramayana Festival at Prambanan Temple Compounds marked 50 years of continuous Ramayana-themed sendratari (dance drama) performances, highlighting the evolution and cultural significance of Indonesian Ramayana traditions. While sharing roots with Indian Ramlila, Indonesian adaptations—such as wayang wong—incorporate distinctively local elements like gamelan music, masked costumes, and sociocultural narratives, diverging markedly from their Indian counterparts. The festival underscored Indonesia's unique synthesis of Hindu-Balinese and Javanese-Muslim artistic traditions, contrasting with its preference for Mahabharata themes in a predominantly Muslim context.