World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 17741 – 17760 of 30345 publications

Understanding ranger motivation and job satisfaction to improve wildlife protection in Kahuzi–Biega National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kahuzi-Biega National Park — 2019 — WHEB96DBFA289

Ranger job satisfaction is low but can be significantly improved through higher salaries, better promotion opportunities, and enhanced support from authorities. A 2015–2016 survey of 72% of rangers in Kahuzi-Biega National Park revealed that while most chose this profession to conserve wildlife or serve their country, factors like patrol assignment, housing at headquarters, age, and tenure influenced satisfaction levels. Improving these conditions could boost ranger commitment, performance, and conservation outcomes.

Understanding the Restoration at Chartres 1

Chartres Cathedral — 2019 — WHE07791F0057

A critical assessment of the restoration at Chartres Cathedral reveals significant insights into medieval conservation practices and the challenges of preserving Gothic architecture. The study highlights how the cathedral's restoration, undertaken between 1989 and 2019, reflects broader shifts in French conservation theory, influenced by archaeological advancements and political debates about art since the eighteenth century. By analyzing the process and issues raised during the project, researchers provide a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in maintaining such a monumental medieval structure. The work also sheds light on the original mural surface of the cathedral, offering a glimpse into its medieval appearance as studied by art historian Jurgen Michler.

Understanding the Traditional and Contemporary Purpose of the Njelele Rainmaking Shrine through the Oral Testimonies of Local People in Matobo

Matobo Hills — 2019 — WHEDAE5DEFF43

Local oral testimonies reveal the Njelele shrine's enduring spiritual significance, serving as a site for rainmaking rituals, societal forgiveness, and disease cures. The shrine, located in Zimbabwe's Matobo Hills (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), was also consulted during the liberation struggle and remains relevant to war veterans today. However, its mystical voice, once believed to emanate from the rocks, is said to have vanished due to disrespect for the area. This study highlights the diverse values attached to the site by different interest groups, providing insight into its traditional and contemporary purposes.

Understanding visitor interaction with a projection augmented relief model display: insights from an in-the-wild study in the English Lake District

The English Lake District — 2019 — WHED2C28F026C

A significant majority (79%) of visitors to the English Lake District's rural valleys noticed and engaged with a projection augmented relief model (PARM) display, with 68% transitioning to focal attention. This study, conducted over three days with 221 participants, revealed an unexpected expectation for direct tangible interaction, contrasting with 'interaction blindness' phenomena. The research, collaborating with the Lake District National Trust, employed in-the-wild observations to explore playful yet unobtrusive technology designs that enhance visitor orientation and experience without disrupting natural immersion. Findings contribute to understanding public digital displays and visitor behavior through the audience funnel framework.

Underwater Acoustic Impulsive Noise Monitoring in Port Facilities: Case Study of the Port of Cartagena

Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena — 2019 — WHE4CA2E664B3

A study on the Port of Cartagena reveals that cargo container loading is the primary source of underwater impulsive noise. Researchers used an autonomous vessel equipped with a smart digital hydrophone to monitor spatial and temporal noise distributions, identifying key sources and their acoustic characteristics. This pioneering work aims to provide critical data for managing maritime noise pollution and its ecological impact on biodiversity within the port's underwater environment.

Underwater ritual offerings in the Island of the Sun and the formation of the Tiwanaku state

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2019 — WHE9BBC91318E

Recent underwater archaeological excavations near the Island of the Sun, Bolivia, have uncovered ritual offerings that provide new insights into the formation and consolidation of the Tiwanaku state. These offerings, consisting of ceramic feline incense burners, juvenile llamas, and sumptuary metal, shell, and lapidary ornaments, reveal cyclically repeated state rituals. The study uses these findings to explain how religion played a pivotal role in promoting the economic, political, and ideological systems that defined the Tiwanaku polity during its peak between the 5th and 12th centuries CE.

UNESCO and the dictator. Cultural heritage, totalitarianism and mobility in Albania

Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra — 2019 — WHE7D13BA5DE6

Albania's UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Butrint National Park, Berat, and Gjirokastra—reflect a complex interplay between cultural heritage and political regimes. Research reveals that contemporary patrimonialization in Albania, while challenging the legacies of Fascism and Communism, selectively reinterprets elements from these eras to craft a new tourist identity. The study employs document analysis from Tirana's National Historical Archive and ethnographic fieldwork, using mobility/immobility as a lens to examine heritage dynamics under totalitarianism and post-socialist transitions.

UNESCO Lists for the Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritage in the World and Their Impact on Tourism Development: Case of the Republic of North Macedonia

Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region — 2019 — WHEA943F1D932

UNESCO's World Heritage Lists play a significant role in both the protection of natural and cultural heritage and the sustainable development of tourism. The Ohrid region in the Republic of North Macedonia, listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1979, faced threats from uncontrolled tourism expansion, unplanned urban development, and environmental destruction, leading to its inclusion on the World Heritage List in Danger in 2017. This study investigates whether sites originating from North Macedonia are on UNESCO Lists and how this impacts heritage protection and sustainable tourism development. Using a research approach that combines analysis of UNESCO's lists with an assessment of local tourism development, the paper highlights the complex interplay between global recognition, local challenges, and the need for balanced conservation strategies.

UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vlkolínec (Slovakia) in Geographical Education

Vlkolínec — 2019 — WHE0626250058

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vlkolínec (Slovakia), stands out for its unique historical landscape structures that have preserved cultural significance since the late 18th century. This study highlights how such sites can serve as valuable educational tools in geographical education, demonstrating their potential to enrich both local and global learning experiences. Through a survey of primary students in the Liptov region (2018/2019), researchers identified gaps in student knowledge about Vlkolínec, leading to the development of an educational project aimed at integrating the site's attributes into school curricula. The findings underscore the importance of leveraging UNESCO sites for tourism and pedagogy, offering a model for other regions to follow.

Unfolding a Geometric Textile from 9th-Century Gordion

Gordion — 2019 — WHEE4A4B7ACC4

A rare, intricately woven textile from 9th-century Gordion, preserved by a fire around 800 B.C., reveals the sophistication of Early Phrygian design and craftsmanship. This geometric textile, discovered in Megaron 3, combines slit-tapestry weaving with soumak wrapping, showcasing motifs that align with other Phrygian artifacts like painted pottery and inlaid furniture. The reconstruction highlights weaving as a key element of the era's shared aesthetic language (koine), offering new insights into Anatolian textile traditions during the Early Iron Age.

Unique elements of Polish city brands in online reviews

Historic Centre of Kraków — 2019 — WHE712668C7FA

A comparative analysis of Polish city brands reveals that the brand of Kraków stands out as more unique compared to other major cities, while Gdańsk and Warsaw share similar brand elements, as do Poznań and Wrocław. This distinction was identified through an examination of 5,125 online reviews from TripAdvisor, focusing on tourist hotspots such as old markets or towns in five Polish cities. The study highlights how digital narratives shape city branding and provides insights into the perceptions shaping global tourism trends.

Unnamed for over 30 years: Gigartina falshawiae sp. nov. (Gigartinaceae, Rhodophyta) and its confusion with Iridaea tuberculosa in New Zealand

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands — 2019 — WHEA3E10CA656

A newly described red algal species, Gigartina falshawiae, has been identified from Stewart Island, New Zealand, resolving a long-standing taxonomic confusion with Iridaea tuberculosa. The discovery clarifies that G. falshawiae, previously mislabeled as I. tuberculosa in Lindauer's collection, is distinct in morphology—featuring forked, bushy thalli with marginal proliferations and lobed cystocarps—while I. tuberculosa exhibits fan-shaped thalli without proliferations and globose cystocarps. Additionally, their distributional ranges differ: G. falshawiae is endemic to Stewart Island, whereas I. tuberculosa occurs on the New Zealand subantarctic islands (Antipodes, Auckland, and Campbell Islands), with both species co-occurring on the Snares Islands. This study corrects a 30-year-old misidentification, enhancing our understanding of Gigartina taxonomy in New Zealand.

Unraveling the Hydrological Behavior of a Coastal Pond in Doñana National Park (Southwest Spain)

Doñana National Park — 2019 — WHE41E2868799

Groundwater pumping near a coastal resort threatens the hydrological stability of Doñana National Park’s Santa Olalla pond, despite no immediate visible damage. Advanced time-series analysis—including wavelet techniques and seasonal decomposition—revealed hidden, seasonally driven interactions between surface water and groundwater, challenging previous conceptual models. These methods, unprecedented in such ecosystems, highlighted critical groundwater inputs essential for maintaining the pond’s permanent hydroperiod. The study underscores the need for vigilant monitoring to preserve this fragile system amid rising coastal development pressures.

Urban agriculture and buddhist concepts for wellbeing: Anuradhapura sacred city, Sri lanka

Sacred City of Anuradhapura — 2019 — WHE15164BAF78

Urban agriculture in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first Buddhist city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, functions as a 'performing system' that integrates people with the landscape to enhance physical and mental wellbeing. This study reveals how agricultural practices, particularly around large reservoirs (wewa) and paddy fields, create a sustainable urban environment rooted in Buddhist philosophy. By engaging in laborious agricultural tasks, residents experience spiritual dimensions tied to the city's orientation, embodying the 'four noble truths' and fostering a healthy, sustainable cityscape. The research synthesizes phenomenology, anthropology, neuroscience, and Buddhist philosophy to explore how this embodied landscape promotes wellbeing, offering insights into the intersection of agriculture, spirituality, and urban design.

Urban Buffalo

Wood Buffalo National Park — 2019 — WHEA6C6E1C4C2

This study highlights the tension between corporate and Métis perspectives on bison management in Wood Buffalo National Park, particularly concerning oil sands reclamation. It reveals that corporate bison herds, used as symbols of corporate social responsibility, are seen by Métis communities as 'urban buffalos'—distinct from free-roaming populations and representative of an obfuscation of Indigenous legal orders that prioritize autonomy and relationality in human-animal interactions. The research traces the historical regulation of Indigenous harvesting rights within the park, illustrating how federal and provincial policies have restricted movement and access to traditional lands. It also serves as a cautionary tale for the free-roaming Ronald Lake bison population, whose territory is threatened by a proposed open-pit mine. The study calls for wildlife management practices and industrial development to incorporate Métis legal orders and reconciliation in decision-making processes.

Urban Expansion of Erbil and the Effects of Environmental During the Period 1947-2017 (a Study in the Geography of Cities)

Erbil Citadel — 2019 — WHEDB3E65D09B

Erbil has undergone significant urban expansion from 1947 to 2017, with its growth centered around the Erbil Citadel. The study reveals that the city's expansion has been influenced by its semi-arid continental climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. Located in the fertile Erbil plain, the citadel rises 26.5 meters above the surrounding city, which sits at an elevation of 412 meters above sea level. The research utilized GIS maps from the Ministry of Municipalities and Urban Planning Directorate to analyze urban growth patterns and environmental impacts over seven decades.

Urban Renewal, Cultural Tourism, and Community Development

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi — 2019 — WHE5C4634D830

An Islamic ethical framework rooted in Sharia principles, emphasizing charity, hard work, and self-sufficiency, proves effective for pro-poor tourism initiatives. This study compares the framework with the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative, a large-scale project led by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture around Humayun's Tomb, Delhi. The initiative demonstrates how sustainable, justice-based development can integrate multiple stakeholders while preserving heritage and fostering socio-economic growth. By aligning Islamic values with modern tourism practices, the research highlights a viable model for equitable community development in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Urban Tourist Motivations in the City of Porto

Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar — 2019 — WHE6280C24ADC

Over half of tourists visiting Porto are primarily motivated by its cultural and gastronomic appeal, with hedonic consumption driving their choices. This insight emerges from a study that systematically identified and prioritized key pull factors influencing tourist behavior in the historic center of Porto using the Analytical Hierarchy Process method. The research addresses a gap in understanding Porto's growing importance as a European tourist destination by analyzing surveys conducted non-intrusively, offering valuable guidance for tourism professionals aiming to craft authentic experiences that leverage Porto's unique cultural and culinary heritage.

Urbanisation Beyond its Core Boundary and its Impact on the Communities in George Town Conurbation, Malaysia

Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca — 2019 — WHE835ABAF33A

Urban expansion in George Town, Malaysia, has complex effects on local communities. While less urbanized areas welcome growth for economic opportunities and job creation, longer-established urban residents show mixed reactions, indicating that inclusive development policies are needed to balance benefits across regions while protecting the environment. The study used satellite imagery and GIS techniques to map urban sprawl, combined with quantitative and qualitative data collection to assess community perceptions.

Uruk, Irak. Wissenschaftliche Forschungen 2019

The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities — 2019 — WHEFDD849B45F

New archaeological discoveries in Uruk, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'The Ahwar of Southern Iraq,' reveal significant insights into the city's early 3rd millennium BC fortifications and a sacred structure outside its walls. The research, conducted in collaboration with Iraqi authorities, utilized advanced aerial photography to generate detailed topographic plans and map archaeological remains, while geophysical prospection and environmental surveys expanded the understanding of Uruk's landscape. These findings contribute to the broader study of Mesopotamian urban development and biodiversity conservation within the Ahwar region. Additionally, the project provided training for local and European junior archaeologists, fostering capacity-building in both fields.