World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 17721 – 17740 of 30345 publications

Transformation of cultural identity, tourism and intercultural dialogue: medieval world heritage sites in Serbia between cultural monuments and shrines.

Stari Ras and Sopoćani — 2019 — WHE40E35ECB73

Medieval World Heritage Sites in Serbia, particularly the monastery complexes of Studenica, Sopoćani, and Stari Ras, serve as pivotal hubs for intercultural dialogue through their unique blend of cultural heritage and sacred significance. This study reveals that these sites, underpinned by Orthodox monastic traditions, offer exceptional potential for fostering intercultural understanding, especially when interpreted through the lens of 'female history'—the personal narratives of Serbian medieval rulers' wives and daughters, often foreign-born but revered as saints. The research leverages the Artis Center's experience in cultural and creative tourism to propose innovative models for interpreting sacred spaces, thereby bridging cultural identities and enhancing tourism experiences while preserving historical integrity.

Transforming fire suppression into an intercultural and participative fire management policy in Canaima National Park, Venezuela. A learning together and Indigenous, academic and institutional knowledge integration process

Canaima National Park — 2019 — WHEBEE15A414B

A transformative shift in fire management policies within Canaima National Park, Venezuela, has been achieved through the integration of Indigenous Pemón knowledge with academic and institutional expertise. The study reveals that Indigenous practices, such as controlled burning for shifting cultivation and savanna-forest border management, are sophisticated strategies to mitigate catastrophic wildfires exacerbated by climate change. Over nearly 20 years, collaborative fire experiments involving Indigenous communities, firefighters, and scientists demonstrated that fire exclusion policies, while intended to protect ecosystems, paradoxically increase fuel accumulation, leading to larger, more destructive fires under current hotter and drier conditions. This research highlights the potential of intercultural collaboration in developing sustainable fire management strategies that balance ecological preservation with Indigenous livelihoods.

Transportation Accessibility of Central Towns in Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Sites in Mountainous Areas and Its Impact on Local Economic Development: A Case Study of Honghe Hani Rice Terraced System, Yunnan

Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces — 2019 — WHE806419D08E

Over 70% of central towns within the Honghe Hani Rice Terraced System (HHRTS) experience poor transportation accessibility, with travel times exceeding one hour to reach the nearest high-grade city. This study introduces a model measuring shortest time-distances to assess transportation accessibility (TA) and evaluates its economic impact on these mountainous sites. Findings reveal significant regional disparities, with Yuanyang County showing the best traffic conditions while Lvchun County lags behind. Northern and middle regions exhibit better TA compared to western, southwestern, and eastern marginal areas. Small-scale rural economies demonstrate minimal dependence on transportation networks, whereas secondary industries are notably affected. The research advocates for targeted infrastructure improvements aligned with local industrial orientations, cautioning against excessive road construction that may harm ecologically vulnerable towns or yield insufficient economic benefits.

Trapped in nature: discourses on humanity in processes of environmental naturalization

Manú National Park — 2019 — WHE60240493CA

Discourses on humanity play a pivotal role in legitimizing or delegitimizing the roles of local communities within protected areas, such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This study reveals that the naturalization process of protected areas involves redefining both the environment and its inhabitants, significantly impacting access to resources and power dynamics. Through a comparative ethnographic analysis of El Manu National Park (Peru) and the Galapagos National Park (Ecuador), researchers found that proximity or distance attributed to humans in relation to nature determines their perceived legitimacy within these spaces. The findings underscore how discursive constructions shape social hierarchies and environmental governance, offering critical insights into the complexities of managing protected areas.

Travel Behavior of Elderly in George Town and Malacca, Malaysia

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2019 — WHEAE435F535D

Elderly residents in George Town and Malacca, Malaysia—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—typically make no more than five trips per day, mostly within a 5-kilometer radius, preferring private transportation. A study analyzing 455 travel diaries revealed that trip frequency is significantly influenced by factors such as city location, education level, vehicle ownership, health condition, and exercise habits. These findings highlight the need for transportation planning that balances mobility needs with the preservation of heritage status in these historic cities.

Troy as trauma

Archaeological Site of Troy — 2019 — WHEE21739E0A4

Troy's ruins serve as enduring symbols of trauma, encapsulating fragmented historical memory and evoking powerful emotional responses. This study reveals how ancient sites like Troy, through their physical remnants and literary narratives, articulate collective memory in ways that transcend temporal continuity while creating a spatial unity. Employing methodological approaches from both archaeology and literature, the research draws on Marianne Hirsch's concept of post-memory to illuminate how trauma is remembered and interpreted across generations. The findings underscore the role of ruins in igniting imagination and desire, suggesting that such sites function as mental maps of restoration, bridging past and present in complex emotional landscapes.

Troy, Carthage and the Victorians: The Drama of Classical Ruins in the Nineteenth-Century Imagination by Rachel Bryant Davies

Archaeological Site of Troy — 2019 — WHEA0458BCC15

Rachel Bryant Davies's work reveals how Victorian Britain engaged with the legends of Troy and Carthage, blending myth, archaeology, and popular culture. The study demonstrates that burlesque dramas, often dismissed as parodies, played a crucial role in diffusing Homeric and Virgilian narratives, preserving and updating these ancient stories for diverse audiences. By analyzing early maps, archaeological debates, journalism, and visual arts—spanning from 1715 to 1912—Davies shows how public perception of Troy and Carthage evolved alongside scientific excavations and societal shifts. Her focus on burlesque, a lesser-explored lens, contrasts with previous works that emphasized biblical or Roman themes, offering a unique perspective on the integration of classical antiquity into Victorian cultural imagination.

Tsunami Boulders on the Rocky Coasts of Ibiza and Formentera (Balearic Islands)

Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture — 2019 — WHEAA3BCE7A45

Giant tsunami boulders, some weighing up to 43 tons, have been identified along the rocky coasts of Ibiza and Formentera (Balearic Islands), positioned up to 11 meters above sea level and kilometers inland. These boulders, located predominantly in southern coastal areas—contrary to storm wave patterns—correlate with tsunami simulation models predicting northern African submarine earthquake impacts. Radiocarbon dating and dissolution pan growth rates indicate the boulders were deposited between 1750 and 1870 AD, aligning with historical records of a devastating 1756 tsunami that struck the southeastern coast of Majorca. The study suggests these boulders were transported by northern African tsunami waves, supported by their distribution, imbrication direction, and required run-up distances.

Tunis, Tunisia

Medina of Tunis — 2019 — WHE60961BEFA2

Tunis, the capital of Tunisia and its largest city, is strategically located 10 km inland from the Gulf of Tunis, adjacent to a lake connected via a deep-water channel to the Mediterranean port of La Goulette. The historic medina of Tunis, renowned for its intricate urban fabric and cultural significance, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. This designation underscores its status as a living testament to Tunisia's rich history, blending architectural marvels with social and economic importance. The site reflects the city's layered past, from its ancient foundations to its evolution under various civilizations, making it a focal point for studies on urban heritage conservation and sustainable development.

Twenty-two new species in the genus Hyphantrophaga Townsend (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, with a key to the species of Mesoamerica

Area de Conservación Guanacaste — 2019 — WHE3954FD8B0F

Twenty-two new species of the parasitic fly genus Hyphantrophaga (Diptera: Tachinidae) have been identified from the Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northwestern Costa Rica. These discoveries, reared from a diverse range of caterpillar hosts spanning 30 lepidopteran families, include detailed morphological descriptions, life history data, molecular analyses, and photographic documentation. The study also resolves taxonomic ambiguities by proposing five new synonyms for previously described genera and nine new combinations within Hyphantrophaga. Additionally, three previously known species—H. angustata, H. myersi, and H. virilis—are redescribed based on ACG specimens. This research significantly expands the understanding of tachinid fly biodiversity in Mesoamerica and provides a key for species identification in the region.

Two Palearctic herons on Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves — 2019 — WHE644DA46DAB

A rare sighting of the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) marks the first documented record of this Palearctic species in Brazil, while a solitary Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) adds to the second known occurrence on Fernando de Noronha. These observations, recorded between March 2017 and March 2018, highlight the island's significance as a transient stopover for migratory herons. The study relied on field documentation, capturing brief but notable appearances of these species in a region typically dominated by Neotropical avifauna.

Two twentieth-centuryMLH= 7.5 earthquakes recorded in annually laminated lake sediments from Sary Chelek, western Tian Shan, Kyrgyzstan

Western Tien-Shan — 2019 — WHE0408F977FE

A groundbreaking study reveals that lake sediments from Sary Chelek, Kyrgyzstan, contain precise records of two significant earthquakes (M_LH=7.5) that struck western Tian Shan in 1946 and 1992. These findings were derived from analyzing annually laminated deposits, which exhibited distorted varves and large-scale turbidites—structures indicative of seismic activity. Radiometric dating confirmed the timing of these events, aligning with historical records. This discovery underscores Sary Chelek's potential as a long-term paleoseismic archive, offering valuable insights for assessing regional earthquake hazards in Central Asia.

Typological analysis of slidequakes emitted from landslides: experiments on an expander body pile and Sobradinho landslide (Brasilia, Brazil)

Brasilia — 2019 — WHE07E19CD741

Researchers have identified distinct microseismic signals, or 'slidequakes,' emitted from landslides under natural and controlled conditions. The study compared slidequakes from the Sobradinho landslide in Brasília, Brazil, triggered by rainfall, with those generated during a pullout test of an expander body (EB) pile in tropical soil. Using mini-arrays of seismometers, the team analyzed signal characteristics, revealing short-duration microseismic events in the EB pile test and more varied signals at Sobradinho, possibly linked to river bedload energy during heavy rains. The findings offer new insights into the pre-collapse dynamics of unstable clayey slopes, though the ambiguity around source mechanisms highlights the need for longer data campaigns.

Uluru statement

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park — 2019 — WHEC43FA54315

A landmark proposal for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, the Uluru Statement, advocates for legally substantive changes beyond tokenism. It calls for a referendum enabling a 'Voice to Parliament,' a Makarrata Commission, and multiple treaties between Indigenous nations and the Commonwealth Government. This redistributive approach aims to shift discourse from distributive justice to retributive justice, focusing on socio-economic transformation and cultural contributions of First Peoples. The paper argues that constitutional change is merely the beginning of extensive legal reforms needed for a sustainable future, emphasizing the rights of future generations to labor in a market that honors their cultural heritage.

Un Observatoire photographique participatif des paysages et de la valeur universelle de la Chaîne des Puys-faille de Limagne ?

Chaîne des Puys - Limagne fault tectonic arena — 2019 — WHE5A3AC5C065

A participatory photographic observatory was developed to monitor and evaluate the landscapes of the Chaîne des Puys-Limagne fault tectonic arena, supporting its UNESCO World Heritage Site candidacy. This innovative approach combines repeated photography over time with other technical tools to engage local stakeholders—including elected officials and residents—in landscape preservation efforts. The study suggests that active involvement in observing and documenting changes can foster a deeper connection to the site, ensuring long-term commitment to its management and sustainable development. By integrating participatory methods, this observatory aims to enhance awareness of the site's universal value while providing a practical framework for future conservation strategies.

Una forma integrada de documentar, analizar y gestionar el patrimonio arquitectónico: el todo y las partes en el Palacio del Generalife

Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada — 2019 — WHE1C5A933AA1

A collaborative project between the DAda Lab (University of Pavia) and SMlab (University of Granada), supported by the Alhambra and Generalife Board, has developed an integrated approach to document, analyze, and manage architectural heritage. Focusing on the Palacio del Generalife, this multidisciplinary effort compared different 3D data formats for their interpretative potential in conservation and management. The research combined rigorous digital surveying with historical analysis of the palace's formal and constructive evolution, enabling critical evaluation. This method offers a robust framework for understanding and preserving complex architectural sites like those in Granada.

Una revisión de la Teoria de los patrones en el concepto y la forma arquitectónica. La construcción de un Lenguaje de la Residencia Universitaria

Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas — 2019 — WHEF4C4F769B9

This study reveals how university residences serve as a critical link between urban and academic environments, shaping spatial relationships that reflect historical and contemporary contexts. By applying Christopher Alexander's Theory of Patterns (1980), the research examines the conceptual and formal dimensions of student housing, using the University of Oregon residence as a case study to assess the theory's practical applicability in architecture. The analysis spans multiple scales—city, university, and residence—and explores four distinct cases (Caracas, Córdoba, Paris, and Aveiro) to illustrate how these spatial patterns evolve over time. The findings underscore the significance of student housing not only within academic settings but also as a social and urban phenomenon, challenging architects to rethink its role in shaping inclusive and dynamic living spaces.

Understanding Building Stones and Stone Buildings

Durham Castle and Cathedral — 2019 — WHE60F7B58D5B

A comprehensive exploration of the geological origins, properties, and lifecycle of building stones reveals critical insights into their durability and decay mechanisms. The study emphasizes recognizing diverse stone types—such as granites, limestones, and sandstones—through illustrated examples from Great Britain and beyond. It examines how these materials weather over time when used in structures like pillars, arches, and cathedrals, with a focus on Durham Cathedral's sandstone deterioration. Additionally, the research delves into historical architectural styles, showcasing contributions by architects like Vitruvius and Sir Christopher Wren, while also discussing the potential 'rebirth' of ruined buildings through digital recording. The book integrates over 450 diagrams and photographs to enhance understanding, supported by an extensive bibliography.

Understanding Middle Neolithic food and farming in and around the Stonehenge World Heritage Site: An integrated approach

Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites — 2019 — WHE2D806D4125

A shift away from cereal cultivation, possibly concurrent with increased pig farming, began in the Middle Neolithic around the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. This is evidenced by the absence of cultivated plants in newly excavated pits at West Amesbury Farm and other contemporary sites, alongside zooarchaeological data showing a rise in deposited pig bones relative to cattle. Strontium isotope analysis suggests local cattle husbandry, including dairy exploitation, while consistent butchery practices indicate shared food preparation methods across sites. The study integrates bioarchaeological, radiocarbon, and archaeobotanical evidence, offering new insights into Middle Neolithic subsistence strategies in southern England.

Understanding of Historical Records about Volcanic Activities in Jeju Island, Korea

Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes — 2019 — WHEE4C393DC7F

Historical records from the 15th to 19th centuries reveal that Jeju Island, Korea's most recent volcanic activity occurred in 1002 and 1007 AD, with no other documented eruptions. The study interprets these records volcanically, identifying a fissure eruption in 1002 and a potential underwater eruption in 1007, possibly linked to Hyeongpyeong Island or submerged volcanoes. Additionally, the term '瑞山' (Seosan) is reinterpreted as a metaphor for auspicious volcanic birth rather than a specific mountain name. Earthquakes and tsunamis in 1707–1708 were unrelated to local volcanism, instead correlating with Japan's Hoei earthquake. The research analyzes 25 historical texts, cautioning against inaccuracies due to transcription errors and author biases, particularly in non-official records.