World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 14741 – 14760 of 15962 publications

Participatory management of an urban world heritage site

Historic District of Old Québec — 2016 — WHE1B40194D41

A case study of the Historic District of Old Québec reveals that participatory management, even in a long-standing UNESCO World Heritage Site (20 years), faces significant challenges while offering valuable insights for broader application. The research highlights key elements and contextual factors critical to successful community-based heritage initiatives. Unlike prescriptive 'best practices,' this study provides a nuanced example of participatory management, questioning its relevance in less experienced contexts without prior local involvement. It introduces a conceptual framework and methodological approach for studying such cases, emphasizing the importance of context-specific analysis over generalized recommendations.

Participatory Mapping to Disrupt Unjust Urban Trajectories in Lima

Historic Centre of Lima — 2016 — WHE6A01289C7D

Participatory mapping emerged as a powerful tool to challenge unjust urban development trajectories in Lima, Peru, offering a spatially and socially grounded approach for co-producing knowledge that bridges marginalized communities and policymakers. Two action research projects, ReMap Lima and cLIMA sin Riego, demonstrated how community-led mapping—combining advanced technologies with grassroots engagement—can make invisible urban issues visible, foster dialogue among stakeholders, and lead to collectively negotiated actions. By focusing on Barrios Altos (a historic district) and José Carlos Mariátegui (an edge-of-city area), the study revealed distinct pathways for interrogating urban spaces, promoting spatial co-learning that disrupts traditional power dynamics between claimants and the state. This methodology not only addresses immediate planning challenges but also lays the groundwork for just urban futures.

Persian Garden, Cultural Sustainability and Environmental Design Case Study Shazdeh Garden

The Persian Garden — 2016 — WHE549EDF8728

Ancient Persian gardens, such as Shazdeh Garden, demonstrate how cultural design can harmonize with nature to improve living conditions and restore barren lands sustainably. These gardens achieve balance by integrating greenery with architectural structures, creating serene yet functional spaces that enhance human well-being while preserving environmental integrity. The study highlights the potential for such designs to inspire modern solutions for harsh environments, blending aesthetic beauty with practical sustainability. By examining traditional Persian garden principles, researchers aim to develop innovative approaches that promote cultural sustainability alongside ecological conservation.

Persian Gardens: Meanings, Symbolism, and Design

The Persian Garden — 2016 — WHE4882F25289

Persian gardens, evolved over centuries within the Persian Empire, are not merely geometric structures but rich repositories of cultural symbolism and architectural meaning. These gardens incorporate design elements such as water, trees, and pavilions, each carrying specific significance tied to societal beliefs and values. The study reveals that Persian garden design embodies principles like hierarchy, symmetry, centrality, rhythm, and harmony, reflecting a sophisticated interplay between geometric structure and irrigation systems. Additionally, the research explores the philosophical underpinnings of these symbols, demonstrating how they serve as a medium for transmitting national identity and cultural heritage to future generations.

Pervasive Wireless Sensor Networks for the Monitoring of Large Monumental Structures: The Case of the Ancient City Walls of Siena

Historic Centre of Siena — 2016 — WHEC06F0A7B04

A novel wireless sensor network solution for real-time monitoring of cracks in large monumental structures, demonstrated on Siena's 1.8 km-long ancient city walls, proves highly effective through laboratory testing. The system employs Hall effect-based sensors and two distinct network topologies to ensure pervasive coverage. This approach offers a scalable and non-invasive method for structural health assessment, with potential deployment imminent.

Philippi: How Christianity Began in Europe By EduardVerhoef. London: Bloomsbury, 2013. Pp. xii+114. Paper, $29.95.

Archaeological Site of Philippi — 2016 — WHE3161302CA3

Archaeological research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Philippi, combined with historical analysis, reveals key insights into the early development and social structure of Christianity in Europe. Eduard Verhoef's work highlights that the first-century Philippian church was likely composed of working-class individuals, including Lydia, who may have owned a spacious home serving as a gathering place for believers. By integrating field visits to archaeological sites with regional inscriptions and artifacts, Verhoef estimates that Philippi had around 10,000 inhabitants during this period, providing a vivid context for understanding Paul's letter to the Philippians and Acts of the Apostles. The study underscores how archaeological evidence can bring ancient texts to life, offering a tangible glimpse into the early Christian community's size and social dynamics.

Pollen Atlas of Santiniketan, West Bengal, with Reference to Aeropalynology

Santiniketan — 2016 — WHEA7CF3BEE3A

A comprehensive pollen atlas of Santiniketan, West Bengal, has been developed, providing detailed identification keys for airborne pollen grains from 101 angiospermic plant species across 40 families. The study reveals diverse pollen morphologies characterized by distinct aperture types (e.g., inaperturate, monoporate, triporate) and exine sculpturing patterns (e.g., echinate, reticulate, verrucate), alongside varied shapes ranging from prolate to oblate-spheroidal. This resource bridges aeropalynology with botanical identification, offering a robust tool for ecological and environmental studies in the region.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage site

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal — 2016 — WHEF417280E90

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal stands as a testament to 19th-century engineering innovation. This publication by Peter Wakelin explores the aqueduct's unique design, which includes a 384-meter-long, 36-meter-high structure that carries boats across the Tredegar Valley without the use of locks or tunnels. The research delves into the canal's historical significance, its construction challenges, and its enduring legacy as a symbol of industrial ingenuity. Wakelin examines the aqueduct's role in transforming transportation and economic development during the Industrial Revolution, while also addressing its preservation and cultural value today. The study combines archival research with engineering analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of this remarkable feat of civil engineering.

Post-fire Successions of Vegetation and Pinus koraiensis Ectomycorrhizal Communities in Korean Pine–Broadleaf Forests of the Central Sikhote-Alin

Central Sikhote-Alin — 2016 — WHE6FA5AC42BA

In the Central Sikhote-Alin, Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) seedlings thrive best during late-successional stages (90–100 years and 230–250 years), where balanced ectomycorrhizal fungal communities and thick soil layers foster successful mycorrhization. Early post-fire stages (fresh burns) promote competitive mycorrhization by stress-adapted fungi, while mid-successional stages (50–60 years) show the least successful mycorrhiza formation. The study analyzed four successional phases, linking vegetation structure to Korean pine seedling survival and fungal community dynamics, revealing critical insights into forest regeneration after disturbances.

Post-mortem findings in southern right whales Eubalaena australis at Península Valdés, Argentina, 2003-2012

Península Valdés — 2016 — WHE71EABB96BA

A decade-long investigation into the mortality of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) at Península Valdés, Argentina, revealed alarming trends with no clear cause for the majority of deaths. Between 2003 and 2012, 605 whale strandings were recorded, including a peak of 116 in 2012, with calves-of-the-year representing 89.9% of cases. Post-mortem examinations on 212 whales identified only 6.6% with known or probable causes, such as ship strike, blunt trauma, pneumonia, myocarditis, and meningitis. Pathogen testing for viruses and parasites yielded negative results in most cases, except for Brucella spp. in a newborn with pneumonia. Ante-mortem gull parasitism was common but rarely linked to systemic disease. The study highlights the need for further research to identify consistent causes behind these significant mortality events.

Pre‐Hispanic Mortuary Practices in Quebrada de Humahuaca (North‐Western Argentina): Genetic Relatedness among Individuals Buried in the Same Grave

Quebrada de Humahuaca — 2016 — WHE660D96600F

A genetic analysis of pre-Hispanic mortuary practices in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals high levels of kinship among individuals buried together. By examining autosomal and uniparental DNA markers from two archaeological sites dating to the Late Formative (1450–1050 BP) and Regional Developments I (1050–700 BP) periods, researchers identified strong maternal and paternal relatedness in collective graves. This suggests that such burials were likely reserved for close family members, providing new insights into the social significance of death in these ancient societies. The study's findings, though limited to two cases, underscore the potential of ancient DNA in reconstructing mortuary behaviors and familial structures in UNESCO-listed sites like Quebrada de Humahuaca.

Preliminary Report on the Third and Fourth Seasons of Excavations of the Italian-Palestinian Expedition at Tell es-Sultan/Jericho, 1999-2000

Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan — 2016 — WHEA008133383

A joint Italian-Palestinian expedition at Tell es-Sultan, ancient Jericho, has made significant strides in understanding the site's urban development during key periods of Early Bronze III and Middle Bronze I–III. The research focuses on seriation of material culture and urban topography, providing insights into the evolution of this historic site. Additionally, efforts to restore the area aim to establish a National Archaeological Park, preserving its cultural heritage for future generations.

Presencia de la paloma turca (Streptopelia decaocto) en el archipiélago de Revillagigedo, México

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo — 2016 — WHE8D7D43031E

A notable finding of the Turkish turtle dove (Streptopelia decaocto) in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico, was documented for the first time at two islands: Clarión and Socorro. Observations between March and July 2015 revealed adult birds associated with human activity, specifically around a naval base and its vessels. This discovery highlights the species' presence in remote, pristine environments influenced by anthropogenic factors. The study underscores the need for further research to assess the distribution, abundance, and ecological impacts of this invasive species on the archipelago's biodiversity.

Preservation and excavation of Baekje tombs of Seoul: Royal Tombs in Seokchon-dong

Baekje Historic Areas — 2016 — WHEA88E4C6B48

The preservation and excavation of Baekje tombs in Seokchon-dong, Seoul, revealed 23 additional tombs in three layers during a 40-year study, significantly expanding our understanding of early Baekje funerary practices. Initially threatened by urban development in the 1980s, government intervention redirected a main road underground and designated an extensive conservation area (33,000 m²), allowing for the restoration of royal tombs and relics. The research confirmed transitions from pit burials to stone-lined and mound tombs, providing critical insights into Hansung Baekje's 500-year history. This work underscores the importance of proactive heritage preservation in archaeological research.

Priorización de actuaciones medioambientales de ríos con entornos urbanos

Historic Walled Town of Cuenca — 2016 — WHE37341A7EC5

A hybrid decision-support model combining Delphi, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and VIKOR techniques has been successfully applied to prioritize environmental rehabilitation actions for urban rivers, particularly in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the historic walled town of Cuenca, Spain, cultural heritage and river naturalization emerged as the most valued criteria, accounting for 28% and 25% of expert panel preferences, respectively. The study found that trapezoidal cross-sections for river rehabilitation offer stable advantages over modified triangular designs, facilitating optimal integration with townscape while balancing construction, operational, and maintenance costs. This approach addresses the complexity of urban river restoration by systematically evaluating tangible and intangible factors, including cultural heritage, natural dynamics, and economic considerations.

Producing a World of Remains in Indian Ocean Africa: Discrepant Time, Melancholy Affect and the Subject of Transport in Capital Art Studio, Stone Town, Zanzibar

Stone Town of Zanzibar — 2016 — WHE2CD25E3015

Capital Art Studio in Stone Town, Zanzibar, employs a unique visual idiom that challenges the heritage industry's narrative by re-presenting the city as a 'melancholy palimpsest.' This approach simultaneously evokes Zanzibar's past as an 'island metropolis' while resisting its consignment to history. The studio's photographic archive reveals discrepant temporalities, offering surfaces for self-fashioning that contrast with those of other postcolonial studios. By framing the past within a neoliberal global order, the studio articulates a time that was both cosmopolitan and commodifying, providing a nuanced perspective on Zanzibar's complex historical interface between the Indian Ocean world and continental Africa.

Producing the Route of St. James: The Camino de Santiago in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France — 2016 — WHEF908219E78

The Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage route leading to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, experienced significant cultural and political transformation during the 19th and 20th centuries. This study reveals that the modern revival of pilgrimage along this route was not merely a religious phenomenon but also a strategic construction of political ideology, which gained substantial cultural capital over time. The research focuses on the intensive efforts behind the production of the cult of St. James during the medieval period, particularly under the leadership of Diego Gelmírez (1093–1140), who used textual sources like the Codex Calixtinus to document privileges and appeal to donors. These texts, though often seen as outsider accounts, were actually produced in Santiago de Compostela to serve specific audiences, including wealthy patrons and pilgrims. The study employs a combination of historical analysis and documentary evidence to uncover the complexities of this cultural and political landscape.

Promoting ecosystem services through ecological planning in the Xianghe Segment of China’s Grand Canal

The Grand Canal — 2016 — WHE64871788A4

Ecological planning can significantly enhance ecosystem services (ES) and revitalize historic landscapes, as demonstrated by a 67% increase in ES following its implementation along the Xianghe Segment of China’s Grand Canal. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, once a vital transportation artery, now suffers from degraded water quality due to wastewater disposal. The study applied modern ecological theory to redesign the waterfront landscape, establish wetlands, and improve environmental governance, shifting the dominance of ES from regulating and supporting services to cultural and regulating ones. These measures not only restored historic landscapes but also provided a framework for sustainable heritage management, offering a practical model for balancing ecological renewal with cultural preservation.

Protection of the world heritage against archaeological research : the case of the Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps registered at UNESCO

Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps — 2016 — WHE36D473B249

The Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, face a critical challenge: balancing their protection with the need for archaeological research. This study identifies the tension between preserving the integrity of these fragile sites and conducting necessary excavations to advance knowledge about Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures. It proposes a new management model that reconciles these conflicting interests by ensuring conservation while allowing controlled research. The approach involves synthesizing existing knowledge, promoting cross-border collaboration among six countries, and addressing threats from natural phenomena and human activities. By doing so, it aims to safeguard this outstanding heritage for future generations while fostering scientific inquiry.

Quantifying canopy fractional cover and change in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, China using multi-temporal Landsat imagery

Fanjingshan — 2016 — WHE5401631CE3

A study on Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, China, reveals that anthropogenic activities are the primary drivers of changes in forest canopy fractional cover (CFC) over a 15-year period. Researchers used multi-temporal Landsat imagery and a modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI) to quantify CFC, finding that topographical variability affects illumination and thus CFC estimates. Implementing an illumination stratification approach, which selects different closed canopy endmembers based on topography, helps minimize these effects. The analysis, combined with limited high-resolution imagery verification, suggests that most observed CFC changes are likely due to human influences.