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Showing 15081 – 15100 of 15962 publications

Violent enclosures, violated livelihoods: environmental and military territoriality in a Philippine frontier

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park — 2015 — WHE21CA1CD101

This research reveals how overlapping environmental and military governance in the buffer zone of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park exacerbates livelihood vulnerabilities for indigenous communities, particularly the Tagbanua. The study demonstrates that 'violent enclosures'—where conservation and military interventions converge—create coercive governance structures that criminalize local behavior, merging ecological and political control. By analyzing local experiences in Palawan, Philippines, the authors show that these contested frontiers, though seemingly less governable, are highly politicized spaces where scarce resources are tightly managed. The findings underscore the need for policy makers to critically engage with how governance processes yield structural violence, enabling indigenous peoples to navigate the double bind of overlapping enclosures. This work contributes to understanding the complex interplay between conservation, militarization, and agrarian change in protected areas.

Watermills in the historic irrigation system ‘Palmeral de Elche’, Spain: an example of early hydropower exploitation

Palmeral of Elche — 2015 — WHE1EF21FD932

A technical survey of 11 watermills in the UNESCO-listed Palmeral de Elche, Spain, reveals early hydropower exploitation within a historic Islamic-era irrigation system. These mills, operational until the last century, featured horizontal turbine-type waterwheels with hydraulic heads ranging from 2 to over 15 meters, demonstrating sophisticated engineering for flour production and energy dissipation in a multipurpose canal network. The study provides dimensions and technical parameters, offering insights into mill operation, power yield, and flour production within this unique European palm grove.

What's New On Rapa Nui

Rapa Nui National Park — 2015 — WHE6326421FC2

Rapa Nui National Park is witnessing a cultural renaissance through the Toki Music School, which blends Polynesian heritage with European classical music. The school, led by Mahani Teave—a renowned pianist who returned to her island after international training—aims to nurture local talent and prevent young Rapanuis from leaving for musical education abroad. With over 70 students, the initiative is housed in an Earthship Biotecture, a sustainable structure built from recycled materials like tires and bottles, showcasing innovative green building techniques. Concurrently, the island has achieved a historic agreement with CONADI to regulate immigration and co-administer the national park, addressing concerns about land ownership and resource management while fostering community trust. This dual focus on cultural preservation and environmental sustainability positions Rapa Nui as a global leader in both music education and sustainable development.

Where have all the people gone? Enhancing global conservation using night lights and social media

Pantanal Conservation Area — 2015 — WHE9C7078CCD9

A novel approach combining social media data and remote sensing identifies that half of all visitors to protected areas globally are concentrated in under 1% of these sites, often UNESCO World Heritage Sites with high accessibility. The study used Flickr photographs as a surrogate for visitor numbers, validated by local censuses, alongside night lights data to distinguish between urban and natural areas. Key hotspots like Brazil's Pantanal and Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni were found to attract significant visitation but remain largely unprotected. This integrated method offers real-time insights into spatial conservation gaps and pressures, demonstrating the potential of big data in global conservation efforts.

Where the Law Rock Lies

Þingvellir National Park — 2015 — WHEE5472B74AF

Þingvellir National Park, the historic site of Iceland's Alþing, the oldest parliament in Europe, holds the memory of a nation shaped by oral tradition and legal debates. The exact location of the Law Rock, central to these proceedings, remains uncertain despite its symbolic importance as a pilgrimage site for modern Pagans. This study explores the cultural significance of Þingvellir through personal narrative, blending historical research with the author's journey as a second-generation Pagan drawn to Iceland's pagan heritage. The approach combines fieldwork observations, historical analysis, and introspective reflection, offering a unique perspective on how memory and place construct national identity.

Will Ngorongoro Conservation Area remain a world heritage site amidst increasing human footprint?

Ngorongoro Conservation Area — 2015 — WHE0D3B637AB8

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, faces significant ecological threats due to rapid human population growth, diversified livelihoods, and increasing tourism. Research indicates a 5.6% annual population growth rate and a 1.1% rise in livestock numbers, alongside a 46% increase in cropland, which has led to the decline of grasslands and natural forests. These changes are contributing to wildlife population declines and ecosystem transformation. The study also highlights tensions between the Maasai community and the NCA Authority (NCAA) over land use restrictions, as well as rising tourism pressures. Without effective management measures, the future of the NCA's unique ecosystem—and its World Heritage status—is at risk.

Wine and cultural heritage. The experience of the Alto Douro Wine Region

Alto Douro Wine Region — 2015 — WHE4CE938FCDF

A study on the Alto Douro Wine Region reveals that visitors prioritize the preservation of vineyards supported by schist walls and the region's characteristic landscape mosaic. Using a mixed logit model, researchers found that wealthier, employed, better-educated individuals with deeper knowledge of the site's culture are more willing to engage in heritage conservation. The research highlights structural changes in the region's economy, driven by wine production and tourism, which threaten traditional cultural landscapes. This analysis underscores the need for public attention and preservation efforts to maintain the region's unique identity.

Wooden Structures and Cultural Symbolism in Ohio Hopewell

Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks — 2015 — WHE482BA20AEC

A comprehensive analysis of wooden structures in Ohio's Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks reveals their multifaceted roles during the Hopewell Era, spanning architectural and ritualistic functions. The study identifies that thousands of trees were harvested to create posts for load-bearing structures, including single and multi-roomed buildings, as well as extensive land enclosures and short screens. Notably, some posts, both within and outside these structures, appear to have been used for ceremonial purposes, suggesting a deep cultural symbolism. The research examines examples from prominent complexes such as Seip, Tremper, Liberty, and Hopewell, providing insights into the sophisticated construction techniques and symbolic significance of wooden features in this ancient society.

World Heritage, Tourism and Community Involvement: A Comparative Study of the High Coast (Sweden) and Kvarken Archipelago (Finland)

High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago — 2015 — WHE95E5B3EAB0

Local communities in the High Coast (Sweden) and Kvarken Archipelago (Finland), both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exhibit predominantly positive attitudes toward tourism development but demonstrate limited understanding of the UNESCO World Heritage concept. While residents in the High Coast region are generally more supportive of increased tourism compared to their counterparts in Kvarken, Finnish authorities show a stronger inclination to leverage World Heritage status for economic benefits than Swedish authorities. The study, based on empirical attitude surveys and focus group interviews, reveals that World Heritage designation alone does not drive regional tourism development but rather fits into broader destination-building efforts. However, collaboration between communities and authorities remains limited and often conflict-laden, suggesting that improved cooperation could enhance the positive image of these sites while supporting sustainable tourism growth.

Yamato as cultural memory: Maekawa Samio's poetry on Nara

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara — 2015 — WHE2D36BEFF38

Maekawa Samio, a celebrated 20th-century tanka poet and modernist pioneer, deeply embedded the landscape of Nara—his birthplace and cultural heartland—in his poetry, crafting over 1,000 verses that celebrate its Arcadian beauty and historical richness. Through a detailed analysis of his works, including Shokubutsusai (1930), Yamato roppyakuka (1971), and Yamato mahoroba no ki (1982), this study reveals how Nara's topography and traditions shaped Maekawa's poetic evolution. His verse not only reflects the enduring allure of rural Yamato but also traces shifts in his perception of landscape, from youthful reverence to a mature synthesis of history, culture, and personal memory. The research employs close textual analysis to illustrate Nara's significance as both a physical and symbolic foundation for Maekawa's poetic identity.

‘The Untold Story’: The mediated female ghost in England’s Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace — 2014 — WHE0415B8510F

A multi-media exhibit at Blenheim Palace uses new media to challenge traditional narratives of elite history by focusing on private family relationships. The exhibit, 'The Untold Story,' employs a projected apparition of the first Duchess’ lady’s maid, Grace Ridley, to offer tourists intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpses into 300 years of family stories. This approach exposes the emphasis on elites in traditional heritage sites while addressing anxieties about the estate's historical dependence on servants and its current reliance on tourism. The study examines how this combination of new media and a female ghost narrative influences gender negotiations within tourist destinations, providing insight into the evolving dynamics of cultural site interpretation.

“I knew right from the start that the whole thing would be damned expensive” – Gustav Klimt’s Cartoons for the Stoclet Frieze: Their Creation, Execution, and Conservation, Part II

Stoclet House — 2014 — WHE5BB28DCD74

Gustav Klimt's cartoons for the Stoclet Frieze, created between 1910 and 1911, underwent a significant 'de-restoration' process to reverse earlier invasive treatments. These full-scale, 1:1 cartoons on paper, which served as templates for the mosaic frieze in the Stoclet House's dining room, were consolidated and mounted on acid-free honeycomb cardboard panels. This innovative approach allows the cartoons to be displayed side by side without interruption, forming an uninterrupted eleven-meter-long frieze within a climate-stabilized glass display case. Klimt's detailed instructions for material use and color shades, written directly onto the cartoons, played a crucial role in this conservation effort.

“Local religion” in Corfu: sixteenth to nineteenth centuries

Old Town of Corfu — 2014 — WHE8ACB2AB12B

St Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu, served as a unifying symbol for both Greek and Latin communities during the 17th and 18th centuries, reflecting civic rather than ecclesiastical authority. His veneration intensified after the 1716 Ottoman siege, where he was credited with saving Corfu and Western Christianity from invasion. However, by the late 18th century, this unity began to fray following Corfu's fall to Russian and Ottoman forces. A 1790s text by Orthodox theologian Athanassios Parios recontextualized Spyridon’s role, portraying him as a defender of Orthodoxy and an adversary of Greco-Latin rapprochement. The study analyzes shifts in religious symbolism through historical records, revealing how political changes reshaped local religious narratives.

„Rodzime i obce” w krajobrazie kulturowym średniowiecznych ziem polskich

Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines — 2014 — WHEAA3FDCF692

The Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines played a pivotal role in the economic transformation of Central Eastern Europe during the late Middle Ages. This study reveals that the intensification of mining activities, particularly salt extraction, was not merely a result of Western influence but also driven by local demand for non-ferrous metals and regional economic development. The research highlights the complex interplay between 'domestic' and 'foreign' elements in shaping the cultural landscape, with Western patterns adapting to local realities while maintaining distinct social and economic functions. By analyzing archaeological evidence and historical records, the study demonstrates that mining centers like Wieliczka and Bochnia were integral to the commercialization process, supported by new rural settlements and fortified castles. The findings underscore the nuanced nature of cultural exchange during this period, challenging simplistic narratives of Western dominance.

A City for Woody Allen? The New Banks of the Seine in Paris, a Product of Rootless Sociology and City Planning

Paris, Banks of the Seine — 2014 — WHE0E4DEDBDC0

A critical analysis of Paris's 2013 transformation of the Left Bank Seine expressway into a pedestrian promenade reveals it as a superficial, prestige-driven project with significant unintended consequences. The study argues that despite its aesthetic appeal and leisure enhancements, the initiative lacks substantive sociological or urban planning foundations, raising concerns about its impact on urban quality of life and the moralization of mobilities. This critique challenges the underlying ideology of such projects, suggesting they prioritize image over functional or social benefits.

A Competitive Model of Lenggong Valley as a Rural Heritage Destination in Malaysia

Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley — 2014 — WHEC5AC7B1AD1

Lenggong Valley, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant archaeological heritage, is proposed as a competitive rural destination in Malaysia. The study introduces a competitiveness model that leverages the unique resources of Lenggong Valley to enhance tourism attractiveness. This approach builds on established models of destination competitiveness and aims to capitalize on the valley's four excavation sites, divided into two clusters with distinct core zones and buffer areas. The research seeks to position Lenggong Valley as a key attraction during Perak's Visit Perak Year 2012 campaign, emphasizing its potential to draw more visitors through strategic utilization of its heritage assets.

A multi-range approach for Cultural Heritage survey: a case study in Mantua Unesco site

Mantua and Sabbioneta — 2014 — WHED8481E10DC

A multi-range approach for cultural heritage survey demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating diverse acquisition technologies—including aerial photogrammetry, UAV-based photogrammetry, laser scanning, and traditional topography—in documenting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This method enables the creation of a 3D multiscale database, capturing architectural-urban details down to fine-scale features (1:50–1:20 scale). Applied in Mantua’s Palazzo Te gardens, the approach revealed historical modifications and provided graphical documentation for potential future redesigns. Comparative analysis of point cloud models confirmed the efficiency of this integrated methodology, offering a robust framework for studying and preserving cultural heritage.

A New Approach for Documentation, Conservation and Preservation of the Monolithic Statues in San Agustín as Pilot for Outdoor Cultural Heritage Documentation in Colombia

San Agustín Archaeological Park — 2014 — WHE6C278A5EBA

A new approach integrating advanced technologies, particularly 3D modeling, has been successfully applied to document, conserve, and preserve the monolithic statues at San Agustín Archaeological Park in Colombia. The study, conducted by the Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia (ICANH), utilized infrared structured-light (SL) and phase shift (PS) laser scanning technologies to create detailed 3D models of 66 sculptures. While the initial phase identified areas for improvement, such as increasing mesh detail for more precise conservation efforts, it established a robust methodology that can serve as a pilot model for other heritage sites in Colombia. The findings highlight the potential and challenges of using these technologies for outdoor cultural heritage documentation, offering valuable insights for future preservation projects.

A new species of Dystacta Saussure, 1871 from Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda (Insecta, Mantodea, Dystactinae)

Nyungwe National Park — 2014 — WHEC0D8D8DDB2

A new species of praying mantis, Dystacta tigrifrutex, has been discovered in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. This finding expands the known biodiversity of the region and provides insights into the morphological diversity within the genus Dystacta. The discovery was made through a targeted entomological survey conducted in 2013, which yielded two conspecific specimens—a male and female—along with first-instar nymphs and an ootheca (egg case). Researchers also re-described the previously monotypic genus Dystacta to broaden its definition. The study includes detailed morphological descriptions, measurement data, a key for species identification, natural history information, and locality data, contributing valuable resources for taxonomic studies and biodiversity documentation in Rwanda.

A Study on the Commercial Streetscape Design Guideline of the Historic and Cultural Environmental Districts in Ancient Capital Gyeongju

Gyeongju Historic Areas — 2014 — WHEED46F13572

A key insight from this study is the potential to enhance Gyeongju's identity through architectural harmony, blending contemporary commercial needs with historic elements. The research proposes a streetscape design guideline that emphasizes uniformity in diversity, suggesting traditional Korean tiled roofs for buildings with cultural significance and tripartition wall designs to maintain visual cohesion. To address congestion in the central commercial district, the study recommends simplifying the environment while preserving tradition. Additionally, it introduces four traditional cornice archetypes based on Korean eaves and advocates for signboards that break from square shapes, incorporating icons that reflect Gyeongju's historicity. The findings are derived from a condition investigation and landscape analysis of the area, aiming to create a balance between modern functionality and historical aesthetics.