World Heritage Research: Search

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Australia and World Heritage

Purnululu National Park — 2017 — WHEB517708808

Australia's involvement in the World Heritage Convention (WHC) has been significant, contributing to the preservation of nine iconic properties listed for their outstanding universal value. These include Kakadu National Park, Great Barrier Reef, and Purnululu National Park, each inscribed under specific criteria such as natural beauty, ecological significance, or cultural heritage. The chapter highlights Australia's role in the WHC processes, including the List of World Heritage in Danger (LWHD), which identifies properties at risk of losing their values due to serious threats. By examining these properties—ranging from rainforests and reefs to fossil sites and islands—the study underscores Australia's diverse contributions to global heritage conservation, emphasizing both natural and cultural landmarks that reflect the country's unique ecological and historical richness.

Bayesian model updating of historic masonry towers through dynamic experimental data

Historic Centre of San Gimignano — 2017 — WHEADEB85E81D

A Bayesian approach successfully updates finite element models of historic masonry towers, addressing critical uncertainties in material properties and geometry. Using dynamic experimental data from San Gimignano's towers, the study refines numerical models by incorporating measured natural periods and accounting for measurement errors and modeling uncertainties, such as restraint effects from neighboring buildings. This method enhances seismic risk assessment, a key factor in preserving cultural heritage. The findings highlight the potential of Bayesian model updating to improve structural analysis in historic masonry towers, with future applications extending to seismic studies.

Between Arbitration and Engineering: Concepts and Contingencies in the Shaping of Heritage Regimes

Skogskyrkogården — 2017 — WHE7894F21FBF

World Heritage Sites, including Skogskyrkogården, are constructed through highly standardized, transnational processes that transcend national boundaries and redefine heritage as a global phenomenon. This study reveals that UNESCO and expert bodies act as powerful producers of culture, providing a 'global grammar' to coordinate dispersed local phenomena into a unified World Heritage framework. Unlike traditional heritage regimes tied to nations, World Heritage reflects humankind as an imagined moral community, allowing sites from diverse times and places to take on new global significance. The research employs qualitative analysis of institutional routines, beliefs, and practices, alongside historical context, to demonstrate how World Heritage is engineered through expertise while serving a broader socializing project.

Beyond Contesting Limits: Land, Access, and Resistance at the Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park — 2017 — WHEEE8CA17369

Nature conservation strategies at Virunga National Park, implemented post-conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), face significant resistance from local populations. While elites employ overt political contestation, peasants utilize 'weapons of the weak,' engaging in covert, everyday resistance through customary land access practices. This multi-dimensional resistance reflects broader conflict dynamics in eastern DRC while embedding them within conservation efforts, which are tightly intertwined with global dynamics. The study highlights how these resistance strategies challenge re-enclosure practices and underscores the complex interplay between local agency and global conservation frameworks.

Beyond Sight and Sound: Fado of Coimbra, Intangible Heritage with Touristic Value

University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia — 2017 — WHE41A9B20300

Fado of Coimbra, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage with significant touristic value, contributes to the distinction of the University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia. This study reveals that Fado's aesthetic expression, rooted in lyricism and musicality, is deeply intertwined with the city's cultural legacy and holds substantial economic potential in global tourism markets. The research employs bibliographical, documental analysis, and direct observation to trace the genre's origins, unique characteristics, and its complex relationship with Lisbon Fado, while also examining its social history and evolution. The findings underscore Fado's role as a living tradition that enriches Coimbra's heritage and its broader cultural significance.

Bouthrotos (Butrint) in the Archaic and Classical Periods: The Acropolis and Temple of Athena Polias

Butrint — 2017 — WHED85A120052

Archaeological excavations at Butrint, Albania, have revealed significant insights into the urban layout and historical shoreline of Bouthrotos during its Archaic and Classical periods (8th–4th century BCE). The Roman Forum Excavations (RFE) Project uncovered stratified material beneath the forum, allowing researchers to reconstruct the evolution of the acropolis and the Temple of Athena Polias. Notably, the study identified the temple's partial remains and traced the formation processes of the Butrint headland, providing a clearer understanding of its development in relation to Greek colonization in the region.

Buddhist Education Managment in Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University

Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar — 2017 — WHEA2F03306C5

Nalanda Mahavihara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bihar, India, stands as a testament to the ancient Buddhist educational system's sophistication. A study on its modern iteration, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University (NNMU), reveals how it effectively manages education, administration, and finances while preserving its historical legacy. The research highlights NNMU's innovative approach to faculty management, ensuring both academic excellence and institutional growth. By analyzing contemporary educational practices within a UNESCO-listed context, the study provides insights into sustainable heritage management in higher education.

Built Heritage Documentation and Management: An Integrated Conservation Approach in Bagan

Bagan — 2017 — WHE467AE6B08F

A multidisciplinary approach to heritage documentation has proven effective in assessing and managing the conservation of vulnerable UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Bagan. The study demonstrates that integrating diverse documentation techniques—including both image-based and non-image-based methods—can provide a robust foundation for monitoring and retrofitting actions, particularly in regions prone to natural disasters like seismic events and flooding. By documenting four temples in Bagan, researchers tested the flexibility of their methodology, evaluating its strengths and limitations across different architectural designs. This work also emphasized capacity-building efforts, training local professionals and archaeologists in advanced digital documentation techniques, thereby enhancing technical knowledge and on-site expertise.

Bushmeat consumption and environmental awareness in rural households: a case study around Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire

Taï National Park — 2017 — WHEB5008882B4

A significant reduction in bushmeat consumption—exceeding 62% after four multimedia campaigns—was observed in rural households near Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. The study highlights the effectiveness of recurring awareness campaigns, combining theatre and film screenings, in curbing bushmeat intake, particularly among poorer households with more dependent children. Bushmeat, primarily composed of rodents and bovids, accounted for 13% of animal protein consumed in these communities. Researchers conducted surveys in 144 households across 20 localities between July and December 2012 to assess the impact of poverty and awareness campaigns on bushmeat consumption patterns.

Calcium Carbonate Production, Coral Cover and Diversity along a Distance Gradient from Stone Town: A Case Study from Zanzibar, Tanzania

Stone Town of Zanzibar — 2017 — WHEF0936E57A9

Coral reefs near Stone Town, Zanzibar, exhibit significantly lower calcium carbonate production (8.47 ± 4.37 kg CaCO₃ m⁻² yr⁻¹), coral cover (52.4 ± 13.9%), and biodiversity compared to those farther away or within marine protected areas, where values peak at 16.90 ± 9.70 kg CaCO₃ m⁻² yr⁻¹, 67.4 ± 8.7% cover, and higher diversity (H′ = 1.74 ± 0.20). This gradient suggests that human activities—such as fishing pressure, pollution, unregulated tourism, and anchoring—severely degrade reef health, while protection measures mitigate these impacts. The study highlights the critical role of distance from urban centers and management regimes in shaping coral community structure, with reefs closest to Stone Town dominated by stress-tolerant species like Porites lobata and P. rus. These findings underscore the need for targeted conservation efforts to preserve Zanzibar’s reef ecosystems.

Calibrating the amplitude source location (ASL) method by using active seismic sources: An example from Te Maari volcano, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

Tongariro National Park — 2017 — WHE9B823C07B0

A study on Te Maari volcano, Tongariro National Park, reveals that the amplitude source location (ASL) method can produce significant location discrepancies—up to 1.0 km laterally and 500 m in depth—when using independently determined velocity models, attenuation factors, and site amplification factors (AFs). Sensitivity tests show that while attenuation and velocity have a moderate influence on ASL accuracy, AFs strongly impact location precision, potentially introducing substantial uncertainties. The research demonstrates that model uncertainties can affect either lateral or depth estimates depending on input parameters, station corrections, and source-station geometry, providing critical insights for refining seismic monitoring techniques in volcanic regions.

Canopy architecture and PAR absorption of Euphorbia cooperi in the Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

Matobo Hills — 2017 — WHEC0E63D06C1

Euphorbia cooperi, a tree-like succulent found in the Matobo Hills of Zimbabwe, exhibits a unique canopy architecture that optimizes photosynthetic surface area while minimizing water loss. This candelabra growth form allows the plant to expand its branch surface area as it matures, enhancing photosynthesis without significantly increasing transpirational water loss due to its heavily suberized trunk and concave branch morphology. Simulations suggest that while a square cross-sectional morphology maintains a stable surface-to-volume ratio with minimal photosynthetic benefit, deep concave flutes maximize surface area but may increase drought sensitivity. This study highlights the adaptive advantages of E. cooperi's structure in arid environments.

Case Study Vietnam: Climate change impacts on UNESCO World Heritage - the case of Hoi An Ancient Town.

Hoi An Ancient Town — 2017 — WHE04AC40E377

Hoi An Ancient Town faces significant climate change impacts that threaten its tourism-driven economy and heritage assets. Research reveals three key challenges: coastal erosion from sea-level rise along Cua Dai, increased storm severity damaging wooden houses, and reduced tourist attractiveness due to mitigation efforts. While the city relies heavily on tourism for economic growth, excessive visitor numbers both exacerbate climate risks and suffer their consequences. Despite these pressures, long-term solutions remain underdeveloped, highlighting urgent needs for adaptive strategies.

Challenges to the retention of the integrity of World Heritage Sites in Africa: the case of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, Tanzania

Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara — 2017 — WHE7163EB88EB

Despite significant financial investments, the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara in Tanzania face persistent threats to their integrity due to insufficient government commitment, lack of local community involvement, and destructive conservation practices that compromise archaeological deposits—key components of their Outstanding Universal Values (OUV). A recent study reveals that while these sites have been removed from UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger, their long-term preservation remains at risk without adherence to established Management Plans and professional guidance. The research highlights the critical need for multi-focused conservation strategies that balance financial resources with stakeholder engagement and expert oversight to safeguard these cultural landmarks for future generations.

Characterisation of Building Stock and Its PathologiesCase Study of the Historical City Centre of Leiria, Portugal

Historic Centre of Évora — 2017 — WHEB16B791FAD

The historical city centre of Leiria, Portugal, exhibits significant architectural and cultural heritage value despite the absence of an integrated conservation policy. A detailed characterisation of its building stock reveals notable discrepancies in construction materials and techniques, even among similar urban centres like Porto, Lisbon, Guimarães, and Évora. This study highlights the importance of individualised analysis for each historic centre to effectively safeguard their unique heritage. The research employed non-destructive inspection methods to document pathologies and assess preservation needs, underscoring the necessity for tailored conservation strategies to protect these invaluable cultural assets.

Characteristics of meltwater export from Jakobshavn Isbræ and Ilulissat Icefjord

Ilulissat Icefjord — 2017 — WHECBB2BB1970

A study of Jakobshavn Isbræ, the fastest retreating glacier in Greenland and a significant contributor to ice-sheet mass loss, reveals that its meltwater export forms a buoyant coastal gravity current extending 10 km offshore and reaching depths of 100 meters. The research, conducted using hydrographic observations and inert geochemical tracers, provides the first quantitative description of glacially-modified waters exported from the Jakobshavn/Ilulissat Icefjord system. These waters contain submarine meltwater (up to 2.5 ± 0.12%) and subglacial discharge (up to 6 ± 0.37%), along with entrained ocean waters, suggesting a deep-reaching overturning cell driven by glacial buoyancy forcing. The findings highlight the potential impacts of increased freshwater discharge on ice melt feedbacks, marine ecosystems, and regional ocean circulation.

Characterization of Zahari Zograph’s nave wall paintings in the church “The nativity of the virgin” of Rila Monastery (Bulgaria) by vibrational spectroscopy and SEM–EDX analysis

Rila Monastery — 2017 — WHEAA40CA8BA5

A groundbreaking analysis of Zahari Zograph’s nave wall paintings in the church 'The Nativity of the Virgin' at Rila Monastery, Bulgaria, reveals the use of azurite—a pigment not previously identified in other murals from this site. This discovery is significant as it uniquely links these paintings to Zograph's artistic style. Researchers employed vibrational spectroscopy and SEM–EDX analysis to identify pigments such as smalt (blue background), green earths (green color), and red lead (red-orange color). Additionally, the study characterized the gilding mordant using drying oil, resin, and siccative metal oxides, providing insights into the materials and techniques employed by Zograph during the 19th century.

Children of Israel: US Military Imperialism and Marshallese Migration in the Poetry of Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner

Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site — 2017 — WHE3BC705329E

Bikini Atoll, once chosen by the US government for nuclear testing under the guise of advancing global peace, remains uninhabitable due to severe environmental damage caused by these tests. Despite initial assurances that the displacement of Marshallese islanders would be temporary, the atoll's contamination persists, threatening future generations. This study highlights the ongoing health and socio-political impacts on Marshallese communities, including radiation-related illnesses, dietary dependence on imported Western foods, and climate-induced displacement risks. Through an analysis of Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner’s protest poetry, the research reveals how contemporary Pacific Islanders leverage global platforms to raise awareness and seek redress for these interconnected issues.

Classification of Residential Buildings in the Old City of Hebron

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town — 2017 — WHE3E6390A94D

Residential buildings in Hebron's Old City exemplify a harmonious integration of architectural design with environmental and social needs, reflecting broader Islamic urban planning principles. These structures feature internal backyards, narrow streets, covered markets, and stone-paved courtyards, designed to optimize privacy, comfort, and collective living for extended families while adhering to Islamic construction rules. The buildings' shared external walls create a protective barrier around the city, providing shade and security. This study highlights how Muslim architects prioritized residents' welfare by adapting designs to local environmental conditions, ensuring both functional and aesthetic cohesion.

Collecting and Displaying China’s “Summer Palace” in the West

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing — 2017 — WHE6622EFCC99

Over a million objects from the Yuanmingyuan, or Summer Palace—a significant imperial Chinese palace complex—were looted during the Second Opium War and dispersed globally. This study reveals how Western museums, including the Royal Engineers Museum in Kent, the National Museum of Scotland, and the Musee Chinois at Château de Fontainebleau, shaped the display of these artifacts over 150 years, reflecting European cultural, political, and aesthetic biases rather than the original context of the Yuanmingyuan. By analyzing museum practices, the research offers insights into Western representations of China during this period.