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Publications

Showing 1361 – 1380 of 15962 publications

Young Tourists’ Conservation Behavior in World Heritage Sites: Implications for Sustainable Heritage Tourism in Northern Vietnam

Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi — 2026 — WHE13D33DDD11

A pivotal finding from this study is that perceptions, not attitudes, mediate the influence of reference groups on young tourists' conservation behavior at UNESCO World Heritage sites. This challenges conventional theories emphasizing emotional attachment and highlights the critical role of cognitive pathways in shaping sustainable heritage tourism practices. The research employs a partial least squares structural equation model to analyze cross-sectional data from 318 young tourists surveyed across three Northern Vietnamese sites: Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, Ha Long Bay, and Thang Long Imperial Citadel. It reveals that while reference groups significantly impact attitudes and conservation behaviors, travel experiences influence only the latter, not perceptions. These insights provide actionable guidance for heritage managers and policymakers to design targeted strategies that leverage cognitive factors over emotional ones to foster conservation behavior among tourists.

Zenith Passage Alignments at Koh Ker

Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar — 2026 — WHED3066EBC59

Koh Ker, a 10th-century Khmer city in Cambodia, features a unique architectural alignment to the zenith passage sunrise, unlike other Khmer temple complexes. The Prasat Thom complex is oriented 14 degrees north of east, with its western end, the Prang Pyramid, providing an unobstructed view to the horizon where the zenith passage sun rises. This alignment includes zenith passage tubes in roofs and linga statues acting as gnomons, designed to capture the exact moment of zenith passage at noon. A project documented this alignment from the top of the Prang Pyramid, providing evidence that Koh Ker's alignments are not anomalous by citing similar features in Java, Sri Lanka, and Angkor.

Zoroastrian Origins of Abrahamic Angels: A Historical and Theological Analysis

Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley — 2026 — WHE2A0D90ECBF

Abrahamic angelology, including the hierarchical structures and named archangels such as Michael and Gabriel, traces its origins to Zoroastrianism. This study demonstrates that Jewish angelology emerged during the Babylonian Exile (6th–5th centuries BCE), when Jews were in contact with Persian culture, leading to the transmission of Zoroastrian concepts into Second Temple Judaism and subsequently into Christianity and Islam. The research employs comparative textual analysis, historical context, and linguistic parallels between Avestan and biblical terminology to establish this direct lineage. Key findings include the structural parallel between the Zoroastrian Amesha Spentas (seven divine virtues) and the Abrahamic heptad of archangels, as well as functional and linguistic correspondences between specific angels like Michael (Vohu Manah) and Gabriel (Sraosha). The study concludes that the sacred geography of Airyanem Vaejah in the Bamiyan Valley served as the origin of this Zoroastrian angelic tradition.

‘Being a woman’ in the gastronomy industry: entrepreneurial experiences of women from a cultural tourism destination

City of Safranbolu — 2025 — WHE90A67EB29F

Women's entrepreneurship in heritage-based gastronomy, particularly in Safranbolu—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Cittaslow member city—reveals a dual role: it serves as both an economic necessity and a catalyst for cultural preservation and sustainable local development. Despite facing barriers such as gender norms, institutional challenges, and skill deficits, female entrepreneurs in this sector leverage informal support networks, cultural capital, and the city's slow tourism ethos to thrive. This study, grounded in gender theory and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlights the complex interplay of motivations and enablers that shape their entrepreneurial trajectories. By adopting an embedded single case study design and analyzing semi-structured interviews, it contributes to the literature by theorizing women’s gastronomic entrepreneurship as a mechanism for social inclusion and sustainable development.

‘Come, Let Us Ascend to the Heavens’: The Jantar Mantar at Jaipur and the Politics of Scientific Architecture

The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur — 2025 — WHE06967EF0D4

Jantar Mantar, the world's largest sun dial and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jaipur, India, stands as a testament to the fusion of scientific innovation and architectural grandeur during the 18th century. This study reveals that Jai Singh II's astronomical observatory was not merely an instrument for celestial observation but also a symbol of cosmopolitanism and cultural exchange, blending religious and scientific significance. Historians of architecture have recently highlighted how the observatory's design reflects broader urban planning in Jaipur, offering new insights into its iconic status. The research approach combines historical analysis with architectural examination, situating Jantar Mantar within its larger cultural context to underscore its enduring appeal and political dimensions.

‘Gdynia Modernist City Centre’ jako polski kandydat na WHL UNESCO. Perspektywy i wnioski.

Gdynia Modernist City Centre — 2025 — WHE738B840404

Gdynia Modernist City Centre has strong potential for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List (WHL), according to an evaluation by ICOMOS. Although the 2025 submission required additional documentation and clarifications, the site's well-preserved condition and consistent heritage protection efforts since the 1990s suggest a high likelihood of success in future applications. If recognized, this would mark a significant achievement for Poland, highlighting Gdynia as a symbol of post-war architectural innovation and urban development. The study, conducted by directly involved researchers, analyzes the site's eligibility criteria, challenges, and broader implications for heritage conservation.

‘Heritage in focus: a community-centric approach to documenting historic and archaeological sites in Singida's Ikungi, Mkalama, and Singida Municipality’ (Tanzania)

Kondoa Rock-Art Sites — 2025 — WHEE468AF98B3

Central Tanzania's Singida Region, part of a significant rock art belt, holds undocumented historical and archaeological sites with granitoid rock shelters featuring remarkable rock art. A recent study identifies potential tourism development sites in Ikungi, Mkalama, and Singida Municipality, emphasizing the urgent need for heritage conservation and community engagement. The research advocates for recognizing local residents as traditional landowners and essential partners in preserving cultural heritage. Enhanced collaboration could protect these sites while boosting cultural tourism and fostering local economic development.

‘Senhoras donas’: nuns’ relationship with the outside world through their properties in the Convent of St. Monica (Goa, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries)

Churches and Convents of Goa — 2025 — WHEBFAC35A926

Goan nuns at the Convent of St. Monica (17th–18th centuries) actively engaged with the outside world through their extensive property holdings, challenging the notion that convents were isolated from secular society. Analysis of administrative sources reveals how these properties—spanning urban houses and villages across Goa and beyond—facilitated a network of sociability between nuns and diverse individuals and institutions. The study highlights the convent's role as a hub for economic and social interaction, with the locutório (visitor’s parlor) and portaria serving as key interfaces. This research demonstrates that Goan Monicas were not merely spiritual figures but active participants in the colonial socioeconomic landscape, building substantial patrimony that extended across the Estado da Índia and the Portuguese kingdom.

‘The God of the Race’: Louis XIII and his Itinerant Court

Palace and Park of Fontainebleau — 2025 — WHEF53C763A51

Contrary to the prevailing narrative, Louis XIII's court was highly mobile, with extensive and frequent travels that posed physical dangers, disrupted governance, and had devastating impacts on the towns visited. These 'progresses' were crucial for political maneuvering, securing provinces, diplomatic engagements, and responding to security needs, while also allowing royal influence over ceremonial entries. The study reveals a complex logistical network supporting these travels, even when the court remained in Île-de-France, with Louis increasingly favoring Fontainebleau and Saint-Germain-en-Laye over Paris. Cardinal Richelieu's power base in Rueil further fragmented the court's structure, undermining royal prestige. The research challenges assumptions about the court's stability and highlights its polycentric nature.

‘The Message of the Forest’: Santiniketan and the Idea of Tapovana

Santiniketan — 2025 — WHE82BF9F14AD

Santiniketan embodies the ancient concept of 'tapovana'—a sacred hermitage where humanity connects with nature. This study reveals Santiniketan's role as a bridge between human civilization and the natural world, rooted in India’s literary traditions. The research explores how this site, founded by Rabindranath Tagore, serves as both an intellectual hub and a spiritual retreat, emphasizing its significance in fostering harmony between people and the environment. By analyzing historical texts and cultural narratives, the study underscores Santiniketan's enduring legacy as a model for sustainable coexistence with nature.

‘The place where you should have been born’—Conservation practitioners sacralising wilderness and developing a sense of belonging in the Manu National Park, Perú

Manú National Park — 2025 — WHE4C25011648

Conservation practitioners' subjective views can perpetuate notions of sacredness and belonging that displace Indigenous peoples, even while aiming for equitable management. A critical analysis of interviews, archival material, photographs, and personal experience in Peru's Manu National Park reveals how these perspectives often sacralize wilderness, reinforcing problematic dynamics with Indigenous communities. However, meaningful long-term interactions with local communities can foster inclusive emotional connections, suggesting that transformative change in conservation practice may require collective experiences outside dominant social environments.

‘Views for perverts!’: the threat of upskirting in the New Acropolis Museum, Athens

Acropolis, Athens — 2025 — WHE90EB165346

A significant threat of voyeurism, particularly upskirting, has been identified within the New Acropolis Museum in Athens due to its glass-floored galleries. This design choice, intended for aesthetic and functional purposes, inadvertently exposes female visitors to unwanted surveillance, creating an environment where they become subjects of a voyeuristic gaze alongside the museum's exhibits. The study highlights the problematic implications of architectural decisions that prioritize visual access over visitor privacy, raising concerns about gendered violence in public spaces. The research draws on visitor feedback and media commentary since the museum's 2009 inauguration to underscore the need for re-evaluating such designs in cultural institutions.

‘Who Is David and Who Is – the Son of Jesse?’ The Interpretation of the Figure of King David in the Development of Old Testament Theology

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town — 2025 — WHE8F09B6B9AA

Research suggests that the figure of King David in the Old Testament may have been based on a real historical warrior from Ziklag, a Philistine city, who conquered Hebron and laid the foundation for the statehood of Judah. By analyzing inconsistencies in the 'David cycle' (1 Sam 14 – 1 Kings 2), the study proposes that while legends about David likely originated from different sources, they may have been rooted in the actions of a single historical figure. This challenges traditional views that attribute these narratives to purely mythological or legendary origins.

"Genova e i Genovesi a Palermo": il patrimonio storico-artistico dalle celebrazioni del IV Centenario della fondazione della Chiesa di San Giorgio dei Genovesi alla sua ricostruzione virtuale

Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites — 2025 — WHE923A2E98CE

A groundbreaking digital reconstruction of the historical and artistic contributions of Genoa to Palermo, Italy, has been achieved through virtual reenactment. This study presents two innovative digital solutions: an immersive virtual exhibit on ArtSteps and an interactive 3D tour, which revisit key sites such as the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi and the Church of San Giorgio dei Genovesi, while incorporating new attributions from the past 50 years. The research leverages archival documentation, photographic evidence, and testimonies to update and expand understanding of Genoese patronage in Sicily, setting a new standard for Digital Art History. By digitally 're-locating' images from the 1978-79 exhibition within a photogrammetric model of Palazzo Ducale’s Salone del Maggior Consiglio, this work bridges historical celebration with modern technological innovation.

“Auschwitz Still Lives and Breathes in Me”

Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945) — 2025 — WHEFDA999D88B

German and Austrian Romani authors, including Philomena Franz, Otto Rosenberg, and Ceija Stojka, pioneered narratives of their Holocaust experiences from the 1980s onward, offering a unique perspective on Auschwitz-Birkenau's role in Romani collective memory. Their memoirs reveal how forced violations in the 'Gypsy Family Camp' disrupted Romani cultural codes, family life, and traditions—highlighting music, storytelling, oral history, and the natural world as key elements of their identity. By documenting these experiences, the authors not only reclaim Romani heritage but also establish Auschwitz as a central symbol for the Holocaust within Romani communities, bridging gaps in German and Austrian cultural narratives.

“Deer” Stones in Museums and Parks of Central Mongolia: Problems of Preservation and Prospects of Use

Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites — 2025 — WHEA205E6F212

A significant gap exists in Mongolia's preservation and public engagement with 'deer' stones, vital artifacts of Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age nomadic culture. These sculptures, found in Central Mongolia's Khangai Mountains, often lack documented provenance or context due to their relocation from original sites to local museums and parks without records. Despite this, their presence offers unique opportunities for detailed study of design and imagery. The research highlights that adopting international best practices in small museum settings could enhance preservation, public accessibility, and educational use of these stones, bridging the gap between cultural heritage and modern conservation standards.

“Essa experiência na Chapada dos Veadeiros transformou minha vida”: motivações espirituais dos viajantes na natureza

Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks — 2025 — WHE14614C9100

Spiritual tourism in natural settings, particularly in UNESCO-listed Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, is driven by a complex interplay of internal and external motivations. Research reveals that travelers seek experiences offering peace, personal transformation, and mental rest, often escaping urban stress to connect with nature's spiritual wisdom and traditional knowledge. The study identifies 26 distinct motivations, with 17 internal (e.g., well-being, self-discovery) and 9 external (e.g., exposure to knowledgeable guides), while also highlighting factors that detract from these experiences. Conducted through semi-structured interviews with 10 spiritual travelers in Alto Paraíso, the research applies 'push and pull' motivation theory to analyze data via MAXQDA software. Findings underscore the need for sustainable development of spiritual tourism in this protected area, balancing cultural preservation with visitor experiences.

“Faço esta minha real carta, ao meu irmão mais moço”: o reino do Kongo e a correspondência diplomática com Portugal como ferramenta de poder (1780-1830)

Mbanza Kongo, Vestiges of the Capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo — 2025 — WHE5106EF749F

Diplomatic correspondence between the Kingdom of Kongo and Portugal (1780–1830) reveals strategic manipulation of written communication by Kongo's ruling elite as a tool for asserting power and negotiating complex relationships with Portuguese authorities. Analyzing archival documents from Angola and Portugal, this study highlights how three Mani Kongos (Kongo kings) used diplomacy to challenge colonial governance, offering new insights into African political sovereignty during the early 19th century.

“Guess I’m Next to be Erased”: street art, heritage and gentrification in George Town, Malaysia

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2025 — WHE7BB7FDCE92

Street art in George Town, Malaysia, has significantly contributed to gentrification and urban renewal since 2012. This study reveals that while street art revitalizes previously secluded spaces like back lanes and alleys, it also attracts middle-class tourists, sidelining traditional space uses. Using Chang's (2016) concept of 'gentrification aesthetics,' the research examines how street art serves government efforts to boost tourism revenues in this UNESCO World Heritage City. The findings underscore the need for careful cultivation and regulation of street art to align its diverse meanings with desired urban outcomes, particularly in multicultural historic centers like George Town.

“It’s Years of Walking, of Reading the Forest”: White Truffle Hunters’ Perception of Socio-Ecological Change in Langhe and Roero, NW Italy

Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato — 2025 — WHE095C4FF150

White truffle hunting in the Piedmontese landscapes of Italy is more than a foraging practice—it embodies deep, intergenerational relationships with forests, shaped by sensory attunement and emotional connections. A study reveals that socio-ecological transformations, such as land privatization, vineyard expansion, and monocultural plantations, are disrupting these traditional practices, leading to ecological estrangement, dispossession, and the erosion of knowledge transmission. Hunters report a loss of sensory orientation, access to ancestral lands, and a breakdown in the human–dog forest relational web, accompanied by grief and identity erosion. These changes threaten not only ecological but also emotional and cultural sustainability, underscoring the need for a broader understanding of sustainability that includes affective and place-based knowledge systems.