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Publications

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Digital Architectural Heritage in Saudi Arabia: An Integrated Model for Documentation and Preservation

At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah — 2025 — WHE1B22BA08F4

An integrated model for digital documentation and preservation of Saudi Arabia's architectural heritage has been developed, combining Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM), 3D laser scanning, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This approach bridges the gap between advanced digital tools and conservation strategies, ensuring sustainable protection of traditional Najdi mud houses, Islamic-era structures, and modern historical landmarks. Case studies from Al-Balad Historic Jeddah, Diriyah’s At-Turaif District, and Al-Qassim demonstrate its effectiveness in capturing high-resolution 3D data while fostering stakeholder collaboration. The model contributes significantly to preserving Saudi cultural identity for future generations.

Digital Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings in Agadez, Niger

Historic Centre of Agadez — 2025 — WHE445924244E

A groundbreaking digital preservation and restoration initiative in Agadez, Niger, has successfully documented and stabilized historic buildings at risk from climate change and conflict. The project, supported by the ALIPH foundation and involving Imane-Atarikh and Iconem, utilized 3D digitization to create detailed models of endangered structures, including the iconic Great Mosque of Agadez. Restoration efforts employed traditional methods while reinforcing structural integrity, with a focus on community collaboration that empowered local women. The initiative also engaged educational programs and received widespread media attention, demonstrating an innovative approach to heritage conservation in vulnerable regions.

Digital Restoration of the Heritage Landscape through a GIS-Based Approach: Case Study of the Gochang Dolmen Site in South Korea

Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites — 2025 — WHEDF4B2E264C

A GIS-based approach reveals the Gochang Dolmen Site's broader prehistoric landscape, including lost or marginalized megalithic features, challenging monument-centric heritage narratives. By integrating national heritage data with 3D visualizations, researchers reconstruct displaced or damaged dolmens, offering new insights into South Korea’s cultural history and aligning with digital heritage management policies. This method not only supports conservation but also democratizes heritage discourse by reintegrating absent sites into public memory.

Digital Revival: Virtual Access to Hidden Cultural Heritage - Al Ain Aflaj Discoveries, UAE

Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas) — 2025 — WHEA265A63A7D

A groundbreaking archaeological discovery in Al Ain, UAEhas uncovered over 60 ancient Aflaj (underground water channels) across 150 sites, spanning from the Iron Age to the Late Islamic era. These findings illuminate the sophisticated water management systems that sustained agriculture and historical development for three millennia. To preserve and share this hidden heritage, researchers developed the 'Aflaj Discoveries' digital platform, leveraging advanced techniques like 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry. The platform offers interactive maps, immersive AR/VR experiences, and detailed visualizations, providing unprecedented virtual access to inaccessible sites. While challenges in sustainability, data management, and intellectual property were addressed, the initiative sets a precedent for inclusive, accessible, and ethically balanced digital heritage preservation.

Digital Storytelling in Visual Culture: Analyzing the Ramayana Bas-reliefs at Prambanan Temple, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Prambanan Temple Compounds — 2025 — WHE2928C9522A

Transforming ancient Ramayana bas-reliefs at Prambanan Temple into digital art preserves visual heritage while introducing innovative storytelling methods that engage contemporary audiences. This study reveals how digital reinterpretations of pivotal scenes, such as Hanuman's role during Sita’s abduction, maintain historical accuracy while offering new perspectives on moral and ethical lessons from the epic. By analyzing symbolic motifs and narratives through software like Adobe Photoshop, researchers demonstrate that modern artistic techniques can enrich cultural appreciation without compromising authenticity. The approach combines visual culture research with creative artistry, providing a model for ethical reflections on heritage preservation.

Digital Technology Application in Preserving and Promoting Traditional Cultural Values: International Experience and Lessons for Vietnam

Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi — 2025 — WHECE249AEEA3

Digital technology is revolutionizing global cultural heritage preservation, with projects like CyArk (USA) and ReViVA (France) demonstrating its potential through 3D scanning and AI-driven restoration. While Vietnam has made progress in digitizing sites such as the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, challenges remain, including limited funding, a shortage of experts, and an incomplete legal framework for digital intellectual property. To overcome these barriers, the study proposes solutions like centralized digital databases, partnerships with technology corporations, interdisciplinary training programs, blockchain applications for copyright management, and educational VR tools to bridge tradition and young generations. Successful digital transformation could position Vietnamese heritage as drivers for smart tourism and interdisciplinary research in a globalized context.

Digital Tool Supporting the Documentation and Analysis of Cultural Heritage – The Case of the Analytical 3D Model of the Zamość Fortress

Old City of Zamość — 2025 — WHE97738B6685

A city-scale digital twin of Zamość UNESCO Old Town, integrating advanced technologies such as LiDAR/TLS, UAV photogrammetry, and terrestrial photogrammetry with BIM/IFC standards, has been developed. This innovative tool enables comprehensive documentation, conservation planning, and energy analysis at an unprecedented scale. By combining high-resolution 3D data acquisition methods with Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows, the model provides a robust framework for preserving cultural heritage while supporting sustainable urban development strategies.

Digital Transformation in African Heritage Preservation: A Digital Twin Framework for a Sustainable Bab Al-Mansour in Meknes City, Morocco

Historic City of Meknes — 2025 — WHED5A13F8A07

A groundbreaking framework leveraging Digital Twin technology offers a sustainable approach to heritage preservation, demonstrated through the Bab Al-Mansour Gate in Meknes, Morocco. This innovative model enables real-time monitoring of structural health, damage detection over time, and predictive maintenance, significantly reducing invasive inspections while optimizing resource use. By integrating advanced data collection, processing, and analysis methods, the framework creates a dynamic Digital Twin Heritage Building (DTHB) platform that enhances conservation planning and mitigates environmental risks. This study provides a replicable solution for preserving cultural landmarks, addressing critical gaps in heritage management through data-driven solutions.

Digital Twin for Heritage Structural Health Monitoring: First Experimental Tests.

Cultural Landscape of Sintra — 2025 — WHE7EE32C07C8

A digital twin approach integrated with structural health monitoring (SHM) shows promise for real-time conservation of heritage buildings, such as the Palace of Monserrate in Sintra. The study compared low-cost MEMS sensors with a reference sensor to assess data accuracy, finding that while cost-effective solutions can capture meaningful kinematic data, their confidence levels must be carefully evaluated. This research highlights the potential of IoT-enabled wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for continuous SHM, offering a scalable and efficient method to monitor cultural landscapes without compromising structural integrity.

Digital Twin-Assisted Urban Resilience: A Data-Driven Framework for Sustainable Regeneration in Paranoá, Brasilia

Brasilia — 2025 — WHE654DB6DAD9

A data-driven framework leveraging Digital Twin Modeling (DTM) demonstrates potential for enhancing urban resilience and sustainable regeneration, particularly in informal settlements of the Global South. The Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM), developed by Politecnico di Milano, provides a systematic approach to transform DTM into an active tool for real-time analysis, scenario simulation, and design optimization. Focusing on Paranoá, Brasilia, this study integrates advanced spatial mapping with key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Green Space Diversity, Ecosystem Service Proximity, and Green Space Continuity to address developmental and environmental challenges. By utilizing a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform on 30 m by 30 m sampling grids, the research offers a systemic and practical approach for multi-dimensional digitalization of urban structure and performance, supporting adaptive and data-based planning processes.

Digital Twins at the City and Town Scale: Europe and Beyond

Saltaire — 2025 — WHEFF227277D1

A scalable digital twin approach, integrating mobile mapping and high-resolution 3D modeling, has successfully created seamless, data-rich representations of urban heritage at risk, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Saltaire. This methodology, pioneered by the Visualising Heritage team at the University of Bradford, enables proactive preservation efforts by anticipating heritage loss and supporting local authority decision-making. The 'Virtual Bradford' digital twin exemplifies this approach, offering an open-data Level-of-Detail 3 (LoD3) model that encompasses conservation areas and landmark buildings, including those designed by architects Lockwood & Mawson. The research also extends to global applications, such as the colonial city of Bagamoyo in Tanzania, addressing challenges faced by developing countries through UKRI's Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). This work bridges planning, regeneration, and public engagement, fostering topophilia while embedding heritage conservation at its core.

Digitalization of Medieval Romanesque Church Portals in Serbia: From Underlying Geometry to the Reasemblable 3D-printed models

Studenica Monastery — 2025 — WHEDFC33D9755

Researchers have successfully developed a novel method for analyzing and reconstructing medieval Romanesque church portals using 3D digitalization techniques, providing unprecedented insights into their underlying geometry and construction methods. By combining classical architectural documentation with advanced 3D modeling and printing, the study achieved accurate digital reconstructions of portals from Studenica and Decani monasteries in Serbia. These 3D-printed models allow for detailed examination of structural elements, revealing mutual correlations and their integration into wall thickness—a key innovation in cultural heritage education. This approach not only preserves historical data but also offers a tangible educational tool, enhancing understanding of medieval architectural techniques.

Dinámicas turísticas Pos-Covid en paisajes culturales insulares: estudio preliminar en Mallorca y Gran Canaria

Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana — 2025 — WHE731E2E2289

Post-COVID tourism has significantly reshaped the economic, social, and cultural dynamics of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly in insular cultural landscapes. A preliminary study focusing on Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana and Gran Canaria's Risco Caído and Sacred Mountain Spaces reveals critical tensions between sustainability, tourism development, and heritage valorization. The research highlights the urgent need for strengthened local governance strategies and active community engagement to mitigate the impacts of post-pandemic tourism. Using statistical data analysis and qualitative thematic coding from stakeholder interviews, the study identifies patterns and discourses that underscore the complex interplay between tourism dynamics and heritage management in times of crisis.

Discovery of New Fish Depictions in the Central Sahara (Tassili n'Ajjer Plateau – Algeria)

Tassili n'Ajjer — 2025 — WHE5809D092E5

A new catalog of fish depictions from the Tassili n'Ajjer Plateau, Algeria, reveals the significance of fishing in Holocene Saharan subsistence. These images, re-examined using DStretch digital technology, provide clearer insights into the aquatic life and human activities of early inhabitants during a humid phase around 10,000 years ago. The study also revisits earlier depictions where species identification was unclear, contributing to a deeper understanding of this understudied topic.

Discovery of paleontological site of Chengjiang and new explanation of Cambrian life explosion——Site protection and sustainable development

Chengjiang Fossil Site — 2025 — WHE090A30427E

The Chengjiang fossil site in Yunnan, China, has emerged as a pivotal discovery for understanding the Cambrian life explosion. Fossils from this site reveal unprecedented diversity and adaptability among early marine organisms, offering critical evidence for Earth's evolutionary history. The study highlights the site's significance in biotechnology and sustainable development while addressing challenges in its conservation. It emphasizes the potential to integrate scientific research with tourism, ensuring long-term protection without compromising its paleontological value.

Disease Infestation and Insect Damage of Pygmy Trees inMount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary

Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary — 2025 — WHE0B3CDBF887

A study of pygmy trees in Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary revealed that fungal diseases were the dominant cause of internal infections, significantly impacting plant health. The research found severe damage at four stations, primarily due to insect infestations and bacterial contamination, with leaves being the most commonly affected part. Symptoms included leaf scratches, black spots, red lesions, and wilting. The study employed a transect walking method across 10 stations, examining three replicates of tree species per station for detailed analysis in the laboratory.

Disentangling subsidence

Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder) — 2025 — WHE4CE597FFB7

Subsidence, a significant global issue, is accelerating faster than sea-level rise in many regions, exacerbating climate and societal challenges. This study reveals that human activities, such as urban development, groundwater extraction, and oil/gas/salt mining, are the primary drivers of subsidence, particularly in coastal areas like the Netherlands and Northern Italy. The research introduces a holistic modeling approach using satellite imagery to quantify the contributions of various processes—such as clay shrinkage, organic matter oxidation, and compaction—to total subsidence. Applied across multiple Dutch sites (e.g., Beemster Polder, Almere) and Ravenna’s coastline, this method improves mitigation strategies by disentangling complex subsurface dynamics, highlighting the need for integrated solutions to address both natural and human-induced subsidence.

Disentangling Subsidence from Shallow Soil Processes and Gas Extraction in a Dutch UNESCO World Heritage Polder with InSAR and Data Assimilation

Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder) — 2025 — WHEEFB5D118FA

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Beemster Polder, exhibits complex subsidence patterns driven by both shallow soil processes and deep gas extraction. Research reveals that areas with thick surficial peat layers experience over 5 mm/year of subsidence due to shrinkage and oxidation, while deeper clay beds also contribute significantly. Gas extraction is projected to add up to 30 mm of subsidence between 2020-2050. The study used InSAR data and data assimilation techniques to quantify these contributions, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding and mitigating subsidence in vulnerable coastal regions.

Disentangling the gut microbiota of Aldabra giant tortoises of different ages and environments

Aldabra Atoll — 2025 — WHEEA3BE6128A

The gut microbiota of Aldabra giant tortoises is primarily shaped by environment rather than age, with wild tortoises exhibiting greater microbial diversity due to varied diets. A study analyzing 52 fecal samples from Seychelles and Italy revealed that geolocation significantly influences microbiota composition, while age had a lesser impact. Certain bacterial families, such as Spirochaetota and Fibrobacterota, were more prevalent in environments with higher fiber intake, reflecting dietary differences. Additionally, some bacteria were specific to individuals on Curieuse Island but not elsewhere. Centenarian tortoises showed reduced microbial complexity compared to younger adults. These findings highlight the importance of environmental factors in gut microbiota diversity and can inform conservation strategies for this long-lived species.

Disjunction Between Official Narrative and Digital Gaze: The Evolution of Sense of Place in Kulangsu World Heritage Site

Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement — 2025 — WHE117A3365D6

A study of Kulangsu reveals a significant disjunction between official heritage narratives and the perceptions shaped by digital platforms. Official accounts emphasize Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), while user-generated content on platforms like Dianping and Ctrip highlights visual landmarks and 'check-in' practices driven by the 'digital gaze.' This divergence underscores the dynamic nature of sense of place, co-constructed through pre-visit expectations, on-site experiences, and post-visit reflections. The research also demonstrates a shift in tourists' roles from passive consumers to active participants in heritage value creation, mediated by digital platforms. The findings advocate for integrating official narratives with user-generated content to strengthen OUV communication, enhance public engagement, and support sustainable development of World Heritage Sites.