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Showing 13441 – 13460 of 15962 publications

The Patagonian Sublime: The Green Economy and Post-Neoliberal Politics by Marcos Mendoza

Los Glaciares National Park — 2020 — WHE9AAFACA707

Marcos Mendoza's book, 'The Patagonian Sublime: The Green Economy and Post-Neoliberal Politics,' reveals that Argentina's Kirchnerismo movement integrates conservation and economic development through a strategy termed 'green productivism.' This approach, rooted in public-private alliances, leverages rent capture, place branding, and land monopolization to drive tourism growth while undermining long-term sustainability. Mendoza's 18-month ethnographic study in El Chaltén, near Los Glaciares National Park, exposes contradictions in post-neoliberal development by analyzing interactions among diverse stakeholders—tourists, entrepreneurs, park rangers, and activists—to demonstrate how conservation and extraction coexist under a 'semiotic estate.' The research highlights Patagonia as a case study for broader tensions between economic nationalism, environmental governance, and sustainable development.

The People of K’Gari/Fraser Island: Working through 250 Years of Racial Double Coding

K’gari (Fraser Island) — 2020 — WHEB1058915F7

A groundbreaking study recovers and reinterprets the history of the Badtjala people on K’gari (Fraser Island) through a personal, clan-based lens, challenging colonial narratives and asserting Indigenous sovereignty. The research, led by artist-academic Fiona Foley, traces 250 years of racial double coding—where the Butchulla people were simultaneously erased and commodified in Australian history—while emphasizing genealogy as a tool for cultural responsibility and Native Title recognition. Through archival analysis, oral histories, and artistic practice, Foley demonstrates how land claims (including the 2014 K’gari determination) restore Badtjala authority over their traditional country, countering centuries of dispossession. The accompanying film, Out of the Sea Like Cloud, further centers this local perspective within broader national and international contexts.

The perception of the Semmering landscape between 1850 and 1880

Semmering Railway — 2020 — WHE887BE139FA

A significant shift in the perception of the Semmering landscape occurred between 1850 and 1880, coinciding with the construction of railways from Vienna to southern Austria. This transformation was driven by the railway's integration into the region, altering both its physical and cultural significance. The study analyzed contemporary travelogues, official documents, and visual representations to reconstruct how the landscape was experienced and interpreted during this period. Findings reveal that the Semmering Railway not only facilitated mobility but also reshaped aesthetic and symbolic associations with the area, marking a pivotal moment in its historical narrative.

The perception of travellers and the World Heritage Site image

Old City of Dubrovnik — 2020 — WHEEB65A8A96B

Differences in how tourists and cruise ship visitors perceive the image of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) are driven by distinct cognitive and affective elements. The study, conducted on 1,019 travellers visiting Dubrovnik’s Old City between April and October 2016, revealed that these two groups form their WHS image differently—tourists prioritize emotional connections, while cruise passengers lean toward more practical or sensory-based evaluations. Using advanced statistical methods like exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), researchers identified key attributes shaping these perceptions, offering a framework to explore how information sources, demographics, and motivations influence overall WHS image formation.

The politics of authentication in a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Luang Prabang, Laos

Town of Luang Prabang — 2020 — WHE1434E2AE5A

UNESCO's preservation efforts at the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, Laos, inadvertently shape and regulate local traditions, often aligning them with Western expectations to appeal to tourists. This study reveals that while UNESCO promotes 'cold' authenticity through strict architectural regulations, its influence also drives 'hot' authenticity, where residents adapt their heritage practices under scrutiny. Using long-term ethnography, including interviews with Laotian residents, UNESCO experts, and tourists, the research exposes how these preservation structures perpetuate power dynamics, making UNESCO's role in tradition construction invisible to outsiders.

The Power of Urban Water

Water Management System of Augsburg — 2020 — WHE2FF44F9841

Urban water management is a critical factor in the development and sustainability of cities, shaping their social, economic, and cultural landscapes. The study highlights that cities, even premodern ones, rely heavily on centralized water systems for survival and growth. It emphasizes the importance of water as a universal urban resource, influencing health conditions, diets, and infrastructural development such as aqueducts, sewers, and bridges. The research underscores that the presence or absence of water significantly impacts urban practices, economies, and aesthetic quality. By focusing on Augsburg's premodern water management systemthe study provides a case example of how water has been historically managed to support urban life, offering insights into its broader significance across civilizations.

The precipitation patterns and atmospheric dynamics of the Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park — 2020 — WHED7203E098E

Interactions between tropical easterlies, lake breeze westerlies, and rift topography drive the spatial distribution of precipitation in the Serengeti National Park. This study reveals that the park's rainfall patterns are controlled by a dynamic convergence zone forming in the afternoon, where moist air from Lake Victoria meets easterly winds. The direction of tropical easterlies at 750 hPa determines the progression of diurnal rainfall, with most areas experiencing late-afternoon peaks but an early afternoon peak in the eastern Serengeti during October to March. These findings were derived from high-resolution precipitation and reanalysis datasets (CHIRPS v2.0, TRMM 3B42, ERA5), which quantified regional climatic conditions across annual, monthly, and hourly timescales. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified five sub-regions with distinct rainfall cycles, highlighting the park's spatial heterogeneity.

The problem of salinization activation in soils of the south of Eastern Siberia and Mongolia in connection with climate aridization

Uvs Nuur Basin — 2020 — WHE4229BAA0D5

Climate aridization in the Uvs Nuur Basin and surrounding regions of Eastern Siberia and Mongolia is linked to increased soil salinization, particularly under hydromorphic conditions. Over 50 years, air temperature rises in Tuva (2.5–3.7°C), Minusinsk depression (1.7–2.8°C), and Buryatia (1.5–1.8°C) were significantly higher than global averages, with varying trends in aridity. While most areas remained in arid or subarid categories, some, like the Eravnensky and Barguzinsky basins in Buryatia and the Ubsunur basin in Tuva, transitioned to more arid conditions. The study found that climate aridization intensifies salt accumulation in hydromorphic landscapes, even when parent rocks are non-saline, as seen in Mongolia's Gobi deserts. This suggests a growing risk of soil salinization in regions experiencing increased aridity.

The Problems of Preserving the Paleolithic Image of a Camel in the Kapova Cave

Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave — 2020 — WHE1C3DD07502

A two-humped camel image, discovered in the Kapova Cave (South Ural), represents a significant find for understanding Upper Paleolithic culture. However, its preservation is at risk due to inadequate conservation practices and environmental factors. The study highlights that the removal of calcite crusts—natural preservatives—without proper scientific examination or expertise led to the corrosion of the image's colorful layers. Abundant karst waters with variable physical and chemical properties further threaten the drawings' stability, while tested protection methods for exposed cave paintings remain lacking. Current conditions in the Chaos Hall of Kapova Cave are unfavorable, making any new clearing of drawings potentially destructive. The research underscores the urgent need for integrated conservation strategies to safeguard this Paleolithic heritage.

The protected tree Dimorphandra wilsonii (Fabaceae) is a population of inter-specific hybrids: recommendations for conservation in the Brazilian Cerrado/Atlantic Forest ecotone

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2020 — WHEB305C49B3C

A critically endangered tree, Dimorphandra wilsonii, found in the ecotone between Brazil's Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, is revealed to be a population of inter-specific hybrids likely resulting from crossbreeding between D. exaltata (Atlantic Forest) and D. mollis (Cerrado). Genetic analysis using 11 nuclear SSRs across 152 individuals confirmed this hybrid status, while cytogenetic studies showed that D. wilsonii is diploid with the same chromosome number as D. mollis (2n = 28). The findings challenge its taxonomic classification and suggest that conservation efforts should focus on both parental species, particularly the threatened D. exaltata, to ensure the evolutionary future of this hybrid population.

The Purpose of Erecting Koguryo Tablet at Jian and System for Tending Royal Tomb

Complex of Koguryo Tombs — 2020 — WHE516E8513BD

A new analysis of the Jian Koguryo Tablet reveals that its primary purpose was to serve as a public declaration of state oversight and punishment for violations, rather than an effective long-term management tool. The study suggests that while the tablet recorded details of 'yanhodu' (representative household heads) and their families, these records were prone to inaccuracies due to hidden evasions or sales, leading to discrepancies between official and actual household compositions. Koguryo's central government likely used the tablet to deter such behaviors through strict documentation and supervision, rather than for ongoing administrative control. The research concludes that the practice of erecting tablets over royal tombs during King Guanggaeto's reign was more of a supplementary measure to support efficient bureaucratic processes.

The Ramey Incised Pottery of Cahokia (IL) USA: Diffusion and Reinterpretation of its Iconographic Message

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — 2020 — WHE41BC933BA4

Peripheral communities in the Mississippian culture did not passively adopt Cahokia's cosmological iconography but reinterpreted it based on local knowledge and histories. This insight challenges traditional views that such adoption was purely a desire to participate in Cahokian cultural phenomena. The study examines Ramey Incised pottery, which transmits a cosmological model related to upper and lower worlds, found outside the American Bottom region where Cahokia is located. By analyzing these artifacts, researchers reveal that peripheral inhabitants actively engaged with and adapted Cahokian iconography, reflecting their unique cultural contexts.

The rebirth and evolution of Bezymianny volcano, Kamchatka after the 1956 sector collapse

Volcanoes of Kamchatka — 2020 — WHE9CD52AB49D

Bezymianny volcano, Kamchatka, is regaining its pre-collapse size after the 1956 sector collapse at a rate of approximately 26,400 cubic meters per day. This study presents a unique 7-decade-long photogrammetric dataset that documents the volcano's evolution, starting with two distinct lava domes and transitioning to a single vent stratocone with a summit crater. Numerical modeling suggests that the gradual focusing of vents is due to changes in loading affecting magma pathways at depth. This research provides critical insights into the complex regrowth process following volcanic sector collapses, with broader implications for understanding similar phenomena on other volcanoes worldwide.

The Reconstruction of the Glazed Brick Facades from Ashur in the Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (GlAssur Project)

Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) — 2020 — WHE44CDE0AB10

A groundbreaking reconstruction of the glazed brick facades from Ashur, now housed in the Vorderasiatisches Museum Berlin, reveals intricate patterns and techniques used by ancient artisans. The study, part of the GlAssur Project, employs advanced imaging and 3D modeling to analyze the surviving fragments, uncovering how these decorative elements were assembled and their symbolic significance. Findings indicate that the facades featured complex geometric designs and color contrasts, suggesting a high level of craftsmanship and artistic innovation in ancient Mesopotamian architecture. This research provides new insights into the preservation techniques and aesthetic priorities of the Neo-Assyrian period.

The reconstruction of the Museum of Warsaw – current architectural interventions in a monument of great significance for the history of conservation in Poland

Historic Centre of Warsaw — 2020 — WHE296B58C585

Recent architectural interventions in the Museum of Warsaw, part of the Historic Centre of Warsawdemonstrate a conservation approach that balances modern functionality with historic preservation. The reconstruction of tenement houses on Strona Dekerta Starego Miasta na Rynku (Dekert’s Side of the Old Town Market Square), completed between 2014 and 2017, reflects Poland's unique attitude toward architectural monuments, particularly those lost due to warfare. This study highlights the meticulous conservation efforts over the past century, emphasizing the project's process, conditions, and outcomes while ensuring the integrity of a site significant to Poland’s history.

The Regional Aspect of the Study of the Transformation of Russian Society in the 1950-1990s and the Evolution of the Economic System: Representativeness and Uniqueness of the Upper Volga Regions of the Late USSR

Historical Centre of the City of Yaroslavl — 2020 — WHEA7FA33987F

The Upper Volga region, encompassing Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Kalinin (Tver), and Yaroslavl, emerges as both representative of the late Soviet era's socio-economic transformations and uniquely distinct in its cultural and geographical significance. This study highlights the region's dual role: as a microcosm reflecting broader Soviet political and economic dynamics while possessing unique characteristics shaped by its industrial prominence, scientific-technical contributions, and proximity to Moscow. The research employs theoretical frameworks from Mikhail Beznin, Tat’yana Dimoni, Alexei Yurchak, and others to analyze the region's evolution during the 1950-1990s, emphasizing its significance in the military-industrial complex, elite formation, and cultural identity as part of Russia's 'Golden Ring.' The study underscores the need for a dual analytical approach—balancing representativeness with regional uniqueness—to fully understand the complexities of Soviet societal transformation.

The relationship between Shrines and Temples of Nikko and Higashimachi in tourism

Shrines and Temples of Nikko — 2020 — WHEAAC9B2D9A6

Tourism experiences in Higashimachi, the traditional town adjacent to Nikko's shrines and temples, significantly enhance visitors' appreciation of the sacred landscape at Shrines and Temples of Nikko. This contrast between daily and spiritual environments fosters deeper engagement with the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study analyzed travelogues and paintings, revealing that as transportation developed, tourist routes shortened, reducing time spent at each location but also diminishing recognition of Higashimachi's cultural elements. However, when visitors encountered numerous objects in Higashimachi, their perception of Nikko's shrines and temples improved, indicating a positive correlation between the two areas' tourism experiences.

The relationship between tourists’ perceptions of customized authenticity and loyalty to guesthouses in heritage destinations: an empirical study of the world heritage of Lijiang Old Town, China

Old Town of Lijiang — 2020 — WHE513A23A662

A study of 397 tourists in Lijiang Old Town, China, reveals that perceptions of customized authenticity—specifically object-related and existential dimensions—significantly influence guesthouse loyalty. Tourists' sense of being at home in heritage destinations acts as a mediator between their perception of authenticity and loyalty. The research introduces new measurement scales for assessing these dimensions, extending the understanding of authenticity in the context of guesthouses within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Renaissance of Bamiyan (Afghanistan) and Some Proposals for the Revitalisation of the Bamiyan Valley

Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley — 2020 — WHE726D663FBB

A modular approach for the revitalization of Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan, has been proposed to integrate cultural development with sustainable practices. This 'downstream approach' focuses on the southern branch of the Silk Road, including sites like Jam, Band-i-Amir, Bamiyan, and Shar-i-Zohak. The proposal includes fixed elements such as soil erosion mitigation in Shahr-e-Zohak, rehabilitation of minor sites in Kakrak, reconstruction of the bazaar near the Great Western Buddha, revitalization of Shahr-e Gholghola, removal of statue fragments from niches, and small museums at each niche. Additionally, four alternative solutions for niche valorization are suggested, ranging from emptying niches to temporary reconstructions using local marble/stone with anthropomorphic robots. This study aims to contribute to the cultural development of Afghanistan while preserving its heritage.

The Research on the Evaluation and Optimization of the Traditional Dwelling Conservation Practice: A Case Study of Cheng Zhi Hall Restoration Project within Hongcun

Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun — 2020 — WHEC0782496FA

A critical evaluation of the Cheng Zhi Hall restoration project in Hongcun revealed significant gaps in traditional dwelling conservation practices in China. The study identified issues such as vague descriptions of restoration measures, unclear markings on restoration drawings, and a lack of theoretical support for restoration practices. By comparing Chinese approaches with Italian case studies, researchers proposed optimization strategies to improve the planning and execution of traditional dwelling conservation efforts. This comparative analysis offers actionable insights for preserving cultural heritage while addressing practical challenges in restoration projects.