World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 14961 – 14980 of 15962 publications

Innovative Local Community Partnership and Sustainable Urban Tourism – The Old Town In Warsaw

Historic Centre of Warsaw — 2015 — WHEBB5EFC296F

A significant surge in heritage tourism, particularly urban tourism, has been observed in Poland's historic cities over the past decades. This growth is attributed to socio-economic transformation, increased income and education levels, greater national awareness, globalization, and improved tourist infrastructure. Warsaw's Old Town stands out as a primary attraction, drawing millions of visitors annually alongside Cracow's Old Town. The study highlights the importance of innovative local community partnerships in fostering sustainable urban tourism, ensuring that these historic sites remain both economically viable and culturally preserved.

Integrative taxonomy of New World Euplectrus Westwood (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), with focus on 55 new species from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica

Area de Conservación Guanacaste — 2015 — WHE1794A33183

A groundbreaking integrative taxonomy study identifies 55 new species of Euplectrus wasps (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from the Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica, bringing the total treated to 90 species. This research, led by C. Hansson, provides detailed descriptions and illustrations for all species, including 20 previously known ones found in ACG. The study also establishes one new synonym and designates lectotypes for eight species with uncertain status due to damaged type material. Host records are available for 74 Euplectrus species, contributing significantly to the understanding of their natural history. Two identification keys—one for females and one for males—facilitate species differentiation, enhancing taxonomic precision in this region.

Interrogating the ‘implementation’ of international policies of urban conservation in the medina of Tunis

Medina of Tunis — 2015 — WHE0E31E68EE9

Urban conservation policies in the Medina of Tunis reveal a complex interplay between international standards and local practices. The study highlights how French colonial-era interventions, particularly through the Mission de Tunisie (1881), shaped Tunisia's heritage legislation and institutions, blending imported knowledge with indigenous traditions like the Habous charitable trust. This dual approach has influenced the preservation and valuation of cultural heritage in Tunis, reflecting a long history from Punic and Roman times to modern conservation efforts. The research examines how these policies were implemented, offering insights into the challenges and synergies between global conservation frameworks and local governance.

Introduced semiaquatic mammals in the Uvs Nuur Hollow (Current distribution and ecological vectors of naturalization)

Uvs Nuur Basin — 2015 — WHE54467E83DD

Research reveals that the success of introduced semiaquatic mammals—muskrat, American mink, and Eurasian beaver—in the Uvs Nuur Basin hinges on trophic niche availability rather than postintroduction history or abiotic factors. Herbivorous species like the beaver, with access to stable food resources, exhibit greater adaptive success in this harsh, continental climate compared to carnivorous counterparts. The study highlights behavioral adaptations, such as the evolutionary stability of the beaver's building instinct, which facilitates colonization. While all three species occupy similar geographic ranges, their population trends and ecological impacts vary significantly, underscoring the critical role of trophic niche diversity in naturalization processes.

Inventing space in the cañada: Tracing children's agency in Los Platanitos, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Colonial City of Santo Domingo — 2015 — WHE2CB463DAAD

Children in the informal settlement of Los Platanitos, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, actively challenge negative perceptions of their environment by redefining the liminal space of the cañada—a polluted waterway—as a source of agency and creativity. Through play, imagination, and representation, they transform tropes of decay, filth, and danger into meaningful elements of their urban experience. This study highlights the potential for children's placemaking practices to inspire radical, everyday-based approaches to urban planning that move beyond traditional discourses of citizenship-formation and technical interventionism.

Inventory of potential vectors of trypanosoma and infection rate of the Tsetse fly in the National Park of Ivindo, Gabon

Ivindo National Park — 2015 — WHECE11BF3114

A study conducted in Gabon's Ivindo National Park has revealed that tsetse flies, potential vectors of trypanosomiasis, are infected with Trypanosoma parasites. This finding underscores the risk of human and animal trypanosomiasis infection within the park. The research involved an inventory of tsetse fly species and an assessment of their infection rates. Conducted by a team from Gabon, the study highlights the importance of monitoring vector-borne diseases in protected areas to mitigate public health risks.

Is the call to prayer a call to cooperate? A field experiment on the impact of religious salience on prosocial behavior

Medina of Marrakesh — 2015 — WHEBBB9E782A6

Religious salience can significantly increase prosocial behavior among Muslim individuals in natural settings, according to a field study conducted in the souks of Marrakesh's medina. The research found that shopkeepers exhibited greater cooperation and fairness in an economic decision-making task when exposed to the Islamic call to prayer compared to when it was absent. This challenges previous mixed findings on religion and prosocial behavior by demonstrating its impact in a real-world, culturally relevant context. The study employed a dictator game-like experiment, providing novel evidence that religious rituals may serve as powerful cues for fostering cooperation beyond self-reported measures.

Junker Jörg on Patmos

Wartburg Castle — 2015 — WHEE333FD38DB

Luther's exile at Wartburg Castle marked a pivotal period of identity transformation, during which he rejected monastic celibacy and accomplished the rapid translation of the New Testament into German—an achievement completed in just eleven weeks. This study argues that his intense crisis, stemming from loss and isolation, created the conditions for both his theological shift and linguistic feat, offering new insights into the formation of Luther's thought and its enduring impact.

L’industrie versus patrimonialisation : questionnement autour d’une transition vers une économie culturelle

Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin — 2015 — WHEFF18FA8FF0

A shift from depatrimonialisation to patrimonialisation is underway in post-industrial landscapes, exemplified by the Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin. Initially, deindustrialization led to societal, economic, and landscape decline, with industrial heritage being rejected. However, a gradual revaluation has transformed these wastelands into symbols of history and revitalization. This study examines this transition process, highlighting how former extractive sites, once seen as failures, now serve as cultural and economic assets. The research focuses on the Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, to explore the dynamics of industrial patrimonialisation and its potential for sustainable development.

La Balouta exhumed karst: a Roman gold-mine-derived landscape within the Las Médulas UNESCO World Heritage Site (Spain)

Las Médulas — 2015 — WHEB1A9768409

Researchers have identified the La Balouta Valley, located within the Las Médulas UNESCO World Heritage Site in Spain, as a unique paleokarst landscape shaped by both natural and anthropogenic processes. This valley, once filled with red Miocene sediments, was later excavated during Roman gold mining activities over 2,000 years ago. The study reveals that the valley's current characteristics—such as limited surface water runoff, small cavities, and residual karst topography—stem from these historical mining practices. Gold particles found in sediment samples and similarities to other formations mined by the Romans support this conclusion. The findings highlight the interplay between natural geological processes and human activity, creating a distinctive cultural landscape that reflects systematic gold extraction on the NW Iberian Peninsula.

Large-scale Disasters on World Heritage and Cultural Heritage in Japan: Significant Impacts and Sustainable Management Cases

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range — 2015 — WHE23B0513ADD

Japan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly coastal cultural landscapes and pilgrimage routes such as those in the Kii Mountain Range, face severe threats from large-scale disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and associated floods. The 2011 East Japan Great Earthquake caused significant damage to 295 National Cultural Properties, primarily due to tsunamis rather than seismic activity itself. Recent years have seen increasing damage from typhoon-induced storms and landslides, affecting both cultural heritage and natural elements of these sites. This study highlights the urgent need for sustainable protection and management strategies to mitigate such impacts, drawing on case studies of disaster response and remedial measures in Japan.

Latitudinal Trends and Drivers in the CO2–Carbonic Acid System of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

Papahānaumokuākea — 2015 — WHE101E2C3CB9

Coral reefs in the northern atolls of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) are particularly vulnerable to climate change and ocean acidification, according to a study analyzing latitudinal trends in marine carbon chemistry. Researchers found that surface seawater pH and CO₂ levels vary three times more near reefs than in open ocean waters, with this variability detectable up to 50 km away from the nearest coral ecosystems. The findings suggest that coral reef metabolism significantly influences local carbon chemistry, while environmental factors like temperature, wind speed, and water residence time further shape these conditions. The study also identified a net calcification process creating an alkalinity sink across PMNM waters, highlighting the complex interplay between biological and physical drivers in this remote yet ecologically critical region.

Legacies of Sectarianism and the Convict Past in Australia

Australian Convict Sites — 2015 — WHE778F164442

Australia's unique embrace of its convict past, contrasting with the shame felt in other Western democracies, stems from a sectarian undercurrent that shaped its secular political culture. This study reveals how sympathy for convicts, often overlooked in national narratives, reflects broader tensions between the Catholic clergy and the Anglican Evangelical establishment during the 18th and 19th centuries. By analyzing historical records and cultural attitudes, it highlights the role of sectarianism in redefining moral order and public perception, offering new insights into Australia's societal evolution.

Living heritage, community participation and sustainability

Hoi An Ancient Town — 2015 — WHED167F8ABF5

Hoi An Ancient Town demonstrates that living heritage, when combined with community participation, can significantly enhance sustainable preservation and reduce tensions between local residents and broader urban development. The study highlights the importance of a community-based approach to heritage management, which supports locals in maintaining their way of life while preserving cultural significance. However, it also identifies a key limitation: the lack of facilitators hinders deeper community engagement. This research contributes new insights into how living heritage can bridge social, economic, and environmental scales beyond designated World Heritage boundaries, offering a model for balancing preservation with dynamic urban growth.

Living with the world heritage. An ethnographic study of the ancient city of Nessebar, Bulgaria

Ancient City of Nessebar — 2015 — WHE252492BFCD

The Ancient City of Nessebar, Bulgaria, faces significant challenges due to the interplay between tourism development and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An ethnographic study reveals that post-1989 economic liberalization has intensified pressures on heritage conservation, with private investors and corrupt practices undermining safeguarding efforts. Residents grapple with complex issues such as trust in institutions, property rights, social justice, local identity, and the transformation of cultural heritage into economic capital. The study highlights conflicting dynamics between tourism interests and heritage preservation, offering insights into the broader tensions surrounding World Heritage Sites.

Lost and Found in the Cueva de las Manos in Argentina

Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas — 2015 — WHEB46310FE37

A groundbreaking open letter to the people of Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas, Argentina, sheds light on the cultural and historical significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study reveals the intricate relationship between the site's rock art, its natural environment, and the indigenous communities that have inhabited the region for millennia. By integrating geospatial analysis with ethnographic insights, the research offers a nuanced understanding of how these communities have preserved their heritage while navigating modern challenges. This approach not only highlights the importance of Cueva de las Manos as a living cultural landscape but also serves as a model for sustainable conservation practices in similar sites worldwide.

Managing “Buffer”

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine — 2015 — WHEF6C1E00BBB

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, faces increasing threats from urban encroachment and natural disasters due to global warming. Despite its historical significance as a symbol of Japanese tradition and harmony with nature, the shrine's sensitive geographical setting is under pressure from residential and commercial development, particularly in surrounding hilly areas. The study highlights the need for integrated management strategies that balance tourism growth, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. It emphasizes the importance of considering both the protected property and its broader geographical context to ensure the long-term conservation of this iconic site.

Managing a World Heritage Site – Potentials and Limitations of Transdisciplinary Approaches

Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch — 2015 — WHE0CFD077D5F

Transdisciplinary approaches offer significant potential for balancing conservation and economic development in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but their effectiveness is threatened by inherent power dynamics. A study on the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage Site highlights that while such collaborative frameworks foster mutual learning among diverse stakeholders, the benefits are often undermined by power struggles within participatory processes. The research re-examines three key challenges in transdisciplinary settings: stakeholder integration, perceptions and positions, and negotiability and implementation, demonstrating both the promise and limitations of this method for sustainable management.

Managing Cultural Uses and Features

Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia — 2015 — WHE035EFDF4F0

Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia showcase stunning geological formations shaped by erosion of soft volcanic rocks into distinctive pillars and minaret-like structures. The study focuses on managing cultural uses and features within this unique landscape, addressing challenges related to preservation while accommodating tourism and heritage conservation. The research likely employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating geological analysis with cultural heritage management strategies to ensure sustainable protection of these iconic formations.

Mapping the Intangibilities of the Historic Centre of Porto: ParticipA(C)TION (and its Challenges) in Cultural Mapping Projects

Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar — 2015 — WHE0593509ADB

Cultural mapping projects can successfully operationalize deep participation when agents negotiate its meaning and stakes, leading to meaningful urban development outcomes. This study analyzes the 'Manobras no Porto' project, demonstrating that genuine participation—beyond mere consultation—requires diverse motivations and skills from stakeholders. The research highlights the complexity of participatory processes in cultural mapping, emphasizing their role as exercises of negotiation between involved parties. By examining this Portuguese case, the study contributes to theoretical debates on governance, urban development, and the practical implementation of participatory cultural strategies.