Conservation Of Heritage Sites Research Articles

Atacamite discolouration under the influence of arsenates in wall paintings in the Kizil Grottoes, Xinjiang, China

This study was focused on a specific blue‒green pigment applied on the edges of the green blocks of wall paintings in the Kizil Grottoes, the earliest Buddhist cave complex in China containing many wall paintings. Based on in situ portable XRF analyses, μ-Raman spectroscope, elemental analysis (SEM–EDS and EPMA-WDS) and μ-XRPD analyses, the pigment was proven to be lavendulan [NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl·5H2O], which has not been reported in ancient wall painting studies before. Lavendulan was found to coexist with atacamite [Cu2(OH)3Cl] in some of the samples in the study and showed a nanoneedle-like morphology. Further investigations of lavendulan revealed that it was probably not originally used as a pigment but was generated by the transformation of atacamite under the influence of arsenates [As(V)] and Na+. This phenomenon and the related mechanism were discovered in this study and are discussed in this paper. As an important cultural heritage site in the Silk Road, the Route Network of the Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor and the Kizil Grottoes are listed as UNESCO World and Natural Heritage sites. The pigment types and preservation conditions of wall paintings are similar to those of many wall paintings found along the Silk Road, and further attention should be given to this discolouration mechanism for heritage site conservation.

World natural heritage conservation integrates the sustainable development goals from the public perspective in Guilin, China

World Natural Heritage sites are globally significant natural and cultural landscapes, serve as crucial benchmarks of human efforts in conservation and contribute to broader sustainable development agendas. This study aims to investigate the multifaceted relationship between World Natural Heritage conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding public perception. We focus on the Guilin Karst region and explore the viewpoints of 520 local residents living around the Guilin World Natural Heritage site. The findings demonstrate that most residents deeply understand and care about preserving heritage, express their satisfaction with it, and are willing to increase taxes to support heritage conservation. Additionally, they perceive the multifaceted influence of natural heritage site conservation on the SDGs. Living closer to the Guilin Karst region has a stronger impact on long-term residents’ conservation and sustainability perception. Incorporating the viewpoints of the local community into World Natural Heritage conservation and sustainable development, the study fosters a more inclusive and participatory approach towards managing and safeguarding our shared natural heritage.

Integrating Life Cycle Cost Analysis for Sustainable Maintenance of Historic Buildings

This study examines the strategic use of life cycle cost analyses (LCCAs) in the management and conservation of heritage sites, emphasizing the need for comprehensive financial planning. With an increasing number of heritage sites showing signs of deterioration, our aim was to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of restoration practices. We used dynamic life cycle costing methods and developed the MONUREV software V2 to simulate different restoration scenarios, providing accurate, data-driven projections for maintaining structural, functional and aesthetic integrity. The field research involved testing these methods through case studies of heritage buildings in the Czech Republic, focusing on holistic cost management from initial analysis to practical application. The results showed that LCC analysis can significantly assist in making informed decisions, balancing economic and cultural values, and ensuring long-term conservation outcomes. This study concludes that the integration of a detailed LCC analysis into heritage conservation strategies represents a methodological advance that can significantly improve the economic and operational planning of the maintenance of heritage buildings, thereby ensuring their preservation for future generations.

Ecological impact of mechanical cleaning method to curb black stain alterations on Paleolithic cave walls

Anthropization of Paleolithic karstic caves can cause an imbalance of cave microbiota and may trigger formation of wall alterations including black stains. In Lascaux Cave, a previous attempt to mechanically remove black stains was followed by reformation of the stain in months, suggesting that microbial recolonization had taken place. On this basis, we hypothesized that mechanical cleaning (a routine cleaning method for conservation of heritage sites) leaves a residual microbial community that can also serve as pioneer community, i.e. a community of early microbial residents that triggers subsequent microbial successions involved in the reformation of black stains. We monitored post-cleaning microbial recolonization over 19 months in the Apse of Lascaux Cave (France), after using two methods of mechanical cleaning (scalpel alone, or scalpel + sponge). Illumina MiSeq metabarcoding evidenced various taxa i.e. the bacteria Pseudomonas, Pedomicrobium and black-melanized fungi Ochroconis (=Scolecobasidium) during early recolonization of cleaned surfaces, and at later stages the establishment of several other taxa including the bacteria Luteimonas, Chitinophaga and the black fungus Exophiala. Surfaces at 19 months after cleaning were visually and microbiologically different from stained surfaces immediately after cleaned and from unstained surfaces, but also from non-cleaned stained surfaces, probably because of a particular microbial succession, distinct from the original succession during stain formation. Variations in relative abundance of Bacteroidota and Eurotiomycetes classes and Exophiala genus were higher when the sponge was used in addition to the scalpel. The bacteria Filomicrobium and the fungi Isaria and Cephalotrichum were identified on sponge-cleaned surfaces and on the sponge itself, pointing to a contaminant status due to the cleaning method. Overall, it suggests that post-cleaning pioneer communities may play an important role in orienting stain reformation in caves. Sponges routinely used by restorers to curb microbial stains may bring microbial contaminants, which questions current cleaning practices in show caves.

Quantitative assessment of ecological assets in the world heritage karst sites based on remote sensing: with a special reference to South China Karst

The benefits provided by ecological assets play a crucial role in enhancing human well-being. However, there is a scarcity of viable methods for assessing their status. This study is grounded in Land Use and Land Cover Change (LUCC) and integrates both the quantity and quality aspects of these assets. Utilizing the ecological asset index (EQ and EQi), this study conducts a quantitative assessment of the assets in the Shibing karst and the Libo-Huanjiang karst heritage sites, while also qualitatively analyzing their influencing factors. The findings reveal that: (1) In the Shibing heritage site, forest and impervious surface assets exhibited an upward trend, whereas cropland and grassland experienced a decline; meanwhile, shrub and water body assets remained relatively stable. The total area of assets rated as excellent or good increased by 95.371 km2, resulting in an EQ enhancement of 45.427. (2) Likewise, in the Libo-Huanjiang heritage site, forest and impervious surface assets demonstrated an upward trajectory, while shrub assets declined. Cropland, grassland, and water body assets experienced minimal variation. The total area of assets rated as excellent or good expanded by 168.227 km2, resulting in an EQ enhancement of 80.806. (3) The execution of a series of ecological protection projects and management plans for heritage site conservation primarily accounts for the enhancement of regional assets. Notably, ecological resources, socio-economic conditions, human resources, and conservation management policies serve as pivotal drivers influencing the alterations in heritage site assets.

Methodology for the Application of 3D Technologies for the Conservation and Recovery of Built Heritage Elements

ABSTRACT The advent of 3D technologies unlocks new possibilities for capturing, analysing and preserving the intricate details of heritage sites. However, these technologies also raise technical and ethical challenges regarding the preservation of authenticity, integrity, and reversibility. This paper firstly analyses the ethical boundaries for the application of 3D technologies to cultural heritage through scrutinizing the extant literature and gathering the advantages and shortcomings of these technologies vis-à-vis traditional approaches. A comprehensive methodology is proposed for the restoration and conservation of historical structures using photogrammetry and 3D printing. By harmonizing technological potential with the ethical responsibilities of heritage conservation, the proposed framework promotes a balanced approach that not only addresses labour shortages of restoration specialists but also opens a realm of possibilities for cost reduction and superior quality control. In addition, the consistent nature of automation ensures that restoration and conservation tasks will be undertaken with meticulous precision, minimising material waste. Ultimately, this work is an insightful contribution that aims to shift rehabilitation and conservation of heritage sites towards automation not only to meet the needs of the moment but to propel us into a future where efficiency and sustainability are seamlessly intertwined.

Hawker Centres, Cultural Heritage and Tourism – A Case Study of Lau Pa Sat, Singapore

Summary In the dynamic matrix of urban development, the conservation of heritage sites and the imperative of modernisation often find itself at a challenging nexus. This case study delves into the intricate interplay between urban heritage conservation and contemporary socio-economic demands, using the transformative narrative of Lau Pa Sat, Singapore, as a focal case. Drawing upon the dual paradigms of “use value” and “exchange value”, the research underscores the potential of heritage sites to both conserve cultural memory and catalyse modern economic revitalisation. Lau Pa Sat’s adaptive repurposing from a historical edifice to a dynamic hawker hub exemplifies a successful synthesis of architectural preservation and entrepreneurial initiative. Such an approach ensures the site’s functional sustainability while amplifying its cultural resonance. The research further highlights the significance of multi-stakeholder participation in rejuvenating urban memory through visual representation, communal spaces, and cultural paradigms. The findings underscore that, with strategic planning and community engagement, heritage sites can transcend historical confines, emerging as vibrant spaces that harmonise cultural conservation with contemporary relevance. This study provides invaluable insights for urban planners, policy makers, and heritage management professionals, advocating for a holistic approach that balances cultural stewardship with economic imperatives in urban heritage contexts. Information © The Author 2024

Characterisation of infiltration in the cave of Villars (Dordogne) by geophysical and isotopic methods: Importance for paleo-climatic studies based on speleothems and for the conservation of heritage sites

Characterisation of infiltration in the cave of Villars (Dordogne) by geophysical and isotopic methods: Importance for paleo-climatic studies based on speleothems and for the conservation of heritage sites

Thermal impact of tourist visits on the microclimate in the Cap Blanc shelter, Dordogne, France

ABSTRACT Tourism is a growing concern for the conservation of heritage sites. In the Dordogne, the Cap Blanc shelter attracts many visitors and their presence may affect its parietal frieze by altering the thermal environment. To assess this impact, a study is carried out using numerical simulation, a non-intrusive conservation tool that can model the thermal behaviour of the cavity during tourist visits. We validate the numerical model with the temperature measurements taken inside the shelter during three tourist visits. We show that the heat emitted by the tourists is mostly absorbed by the walls, resulting in a small increase in air temperature (between 1°C and 2°C) and a large temperature gradient near the walls during the visits, which favours condensation and possible conservation problems.

Fostering Market Penetration Strategies for Sustainable Conservation of Heritage Sites in Nyeri County, Kenya

Sustainable conservation has become popular in tourism, accepted by developers and stakeholders as an economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally friendly model for heritage tourism development models. However, heritage tourism encounters challenges like cultural commercialization, deterioration, development pressure, marketing gaps, and insufficient maintenance. Consequently, Kenya has prioritized long-term heritage tourism development goals to realize Vision 2030. This paper examines how market penetration strategies can leverage the sustainable conservation of heritage sites in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive survey design, targeting the local community members, tourists visiting the heritage sites, key informants from the local government of Nyeri, officials from the National Museums of Kenya, and site supervisors. The sample size was 762 respondents, 11 were interviewed, and 752 were administered questionnaires. The results of correlation analysis revealed that market penetration strategies exhibited a positive and statistically significant relationship with sustainable conservation (r=0.620, P=0.000), explaining 38.4% of heritage sites' sustainable conservation variations. The study concludes that market penetration catalyzes the sustainable preservation of heritage sites. The study recommends integrating heritage sites into the County's economic plans and employing a comprehensive approach that engages the local community at all stages. This approach should encompass these sites' social, cultural, and economic importance for the local population. Furthermore, the findings highlight the need for a collaborative effort involving multiple government levels and diverse agencies to develop, expand, and market heritage products, with due consideration for biodiversity conservation. Keywords: Biodiversity, Heritage Sites, Market Penetration Strategies, Nyeri County, Sustainable Conservation, Tourism.

Stimulus-Organism-Response Framework: Is the Perceived Outstanding Universal Value Attractiveness of Tourists Beneficial to World Heritage Site Conservation?

Tourists have been attracted to world heritage sites (WHSs) by their Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). In view of the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework and the theory of attitude and behavior, by employing 563 tourist samples from Mount Sanqingshan National Park, and using structural equation modeling, we examine tourist behavioral intention for heritage conservation, and the following conclusions were drawn: (1) the S-O-R theory revealed the behavioral intentions of tourists to protect WHSs; (2) as a stimulus, tourists' value perception and destination attachment were positively affected by the OUV attractiveness, and their perceived value had a positive influence on heritage conservation, although the hypothesis of destination attachment to heritage conservation was not supported; (3) heritage-conservation education and knowledge positively influenced tourists' behavioral intentions towards heritage protection, and tourists' heritage protection attitude had a positive influence on their behavioral intention; and (4) a framework of the influence mechanism for tourists' heritage conservation based on the S-O-R theory was proposed, while tourists' cognitive and affective attitudes impacted on heritage protection intention which, in turn, further enhanced the tourists' perception of the OUV. Conclusively, the measures and implications were proposed for improving conservation and management of WHSs, in particular to achieve the sustainable development of the tourist industry and world heritage sites.

Visualizing Dunhuang: The Lo Archive Photographs of the Mogao and Yulin Caves

Visualizing Dunhuang: The Lo Archive Photographs of the Mogao and Yulin Caves

Monitoring glacier terminus and surface velocity changes over different time scales using massive imagery analysis and offset tracking at the Hoh Xil World Heritage Site, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Due to climate change, the Qinghai Hoh Xil World Heritage Site is under a significant threat from glacier melting and related glaciological hazards. A comprehensive understanding of glacier change trends will be important for launching the policy of sustainable development and for taking precautionary actions when abnormal glacier movements are recognized. Current research neglects the phenomenon in glacier movement monitoring, where the glacier variation pattern responds abnormally over different time scales. In our work, the most advanced techniques, Google Earth Engine (GEE) and offset tracking (OT), were utilized to construct and compare long-term series of glacier changes over decadal and annual scales, respectively. In total, 264 glaciers were extracted, and similar trends, namely, general degradation except one glacier expressing a fast increase in XinQing Feng (XQF), slow recession in Malan (ML), and complex and seasonal degradation in Galadandong (GLDD), were confirmed by GEE and OT. By comparing the performance of these two methods, GEE shows its merits when applied to detect the large magnitude of geomorphic and glaciological change with an average uncertainty error of approximately 8 m/yr, while OT is more suitable for detecting regular and continuous displacement with high accuracy up to 1 m/yr. Our results highlight the asynchrony of glacier variation within different time scales and the significant complementary role of integrating GEE and OT approaches for world heritage site conservation and protection.

Integrated management of heritage sites: scale development and validation

PurposeThe study explores the possibility of developing a valid scale for integrated management of heritage sites to bring a holistic approach to heritage properties' conservation practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study followed the exploratory sequential method. An in-depth interview was adopted for exploring indicators, and a questionnaire survey was administered for descriptive analysis.FindingsCultural resources conservation strategies have been analyzed from a tourist, local communities and stakeholder's perspective with local-specific indicators. The study indicates that a multi-dimensional approach that integrates tourists, local communities and other stakeholders-based indicators can be developed at the destination level for the integrated management of heritage properties. Tourist-centric, local community-specific and stakeholder-oriented approaches could act as catalysts for more pragmatic conservation practices in the local areas based on the site-specific indicators.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to lesser-known heritage sites located in the southern provincial states of India. The technical conservation strategies on the structure and architecture are not part of the study. Theoretical implications on the study of this kind can contribute to the literature as it throws light on future studies seeking local-centric conservation and management practices of heritage sites hitherto less explored in the domain of conservation science. The scale provides insight into the appropriate form of intervention that the local communities, tourists and other stakeholders can do at the heritage sites, hence the possibility of garnering the attention of other discipline strivings towards the conservation of heritage sites and to apply along with other relevant variables. It is expected that the study might expedite the knowledge accumulation in conservation science.Practical implicationsThe scale can be used in a similar context for the integrated management of heritage sites. The study can assist the policymakers and planners in seeking the support of stakeholders, local communities and tourists for the implementation of heritage conservation and management programs. Such a local-centric management strategy promoting responsible consumption and production could contribute to SDG 12. Further, the study can also contribute towards SDG 11.4, which calls for strengthening the effort to protect and safeguard cultural and natural heritage. This scale can be a tool for destination management organizations (DMOs) to understand the level of intervention of local communities, tourists and other stakeholders at the heritage site.Social implicationsThe integrated management approach of heritage conservation immensely helps the lesser-known heritage sites the world over as such structures are out of the focal point of government funding and other conservation efforts. The synergy of the integrated approach could protect lesser-known unfunded heritage sites, and thereby, the cultural reflections of the community concerned can be made available for future visitors’ consumption.Originality/valueThe study attempted to understand the conservation approaches for lesser-known heritage sites with the support of both demand and supply-side stakeholders. Such a collaborative approach is the first of this kind in the conservation of heritage sites in India.

To what degree does a UNESCO World Heritage Site listing improve the conservation of heritage sites? Insights from the case of the Maloti-Drakensberg World Heritage Site (South Africa-Lesotho)

ABSTRACT In this paper, I discuss the effects of a World Heritage property listing in terms of conservation, using as a case study the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, a transboundary area located in South Africa and Lesotho. More precisely, I question to what degree the 2013 extension of the UNESCO property initially listed in 2000, to include the Sehlabathebe National Park in Lesotho, led to changes in the modalities of rock art sites conservation, these sites being key heritage resources into this area. I demonstrate that the conservation outcomes of a World Heritage listing depend on several interacting parameters, such as the type of property listed, the listing procedure, the functioning of the list, the actors involved, and the multi-scale issues associated with the listed property. In conclusion, I emphasise the need for multi-scale contextualisation to discuss the effectiveness of a World Heritage listing for the conservation of a property and I present possible ways of action to improve its effects.

Deformation monitoring and thematic mapping of the Badaling Great Wall using very high-resolution interferometric synthetic aperture radar data

The preventive monitoring and sustainable conservation of large-scale cultural heritage sites require satellite-based Earth observations. In this study, we present the first monitoring and thematic mapping results of the Badaling Great Wall (Beijing, China) using deformation indicators calculated from very high-resolution (VHR) multi-temporal spotlight TerraSAR-X data. The proposed coarse–fine search algorithm achieved high computational efficiency for calculating the unknown parameters of the two-tier network persistent scatterer synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry (PSInSAR) approach. The spatiotemporal deformation anomalies, characterized by the absolute velocity, deformation deviation and acceleration, are informative to identify suspected hotspots for prioritizing monitoring activities. We provide an understandable method for thematic mapping and subsequent sustainable conservation of heritage sites by synergistically exploiting impacts from natural degradation and the tourism industry. We determine that the optimum tourist capacity of the site could be 1.0 million per month based on comparing pre- and post-COVID data (2019–2020). This study demonstrates the potential and performance of spaceborne PSInSAR tools for the intelligent management of large-scale architectural heritage sites by integrating InSAR deformation products with environmental and social data.

Insights into Regenerative Paradigm in Cultural Heritage Sites: Lessons from Case Studies

Conservation or rehabilitation can describe archaeological preservations of valuable resources that are at the risk of getting extinct. Today, rehabilitation exceeds just a celebration of historical icons. The ever-increasing human demand in the urban heritages has encouraged the conservation and rehabilitation programs to be consistent with economic and social development, in fact going beyond sustainability towards being regenerative. This paper draws insights on the best practice approaches to conservation and rehabilitation of the heritage sites, having Mexico City and Fez, as a case study. This does not mean that the best practice approach is error-free or superior (Liu et al., 2019). It, however, shows which approach has several constraints and difficulties. As a result, this paper intends to provide analytical perceptions onto the rehabilitation and conservation program that took in Mexico City and Fez to identify the actions that can support being regenerative towards helping make future rehabilitation and conservation of heritage sites a success.

The Role of Local Communities and Well-Being in UNESCO World Heritage Site Conservation: An Analysis of the Operational Guidelines, 1994–2019

UNESCO’s world heritage program aims to protect sites of cultural and natural heritage worldwide. Issues of local communities and well-being have been given increasing attention by heritage conservation scholars, but a systemic review of UNESCO guidelines has not been performed. Here, we examine the evolution of the ‘Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention,’ documents representing the heritage conservation policies of UNESCO over the period 1994–2019. Using keyword analysis and document analysis, the findings show evidence of an increasing emphasis on local communities, growing primarily since 2005. However, the theme of well-being only first emerged in the operational guidelines in 2019. Political, economic, and environmental challenges idiosyncratic to specific places often complicate the role of local communities and well-being in heritage conservation priorities. Future research should investigate the potential implementation and implications of these changes for the guidelines at specific UNESCO world heritage sites.

The Role of Local Communities and Well-Being in UNESCO World Heritage Site Conservation: An Analysis of the Operational Guidelines, 1994–2019

UNESCO’s world heritage program aims to protect sites of cultural and natural heritage worldwide. Issues of local communities and well-being have been given increasing attention by heritage conservation scholars, but a systemic review of UNESCO guidelines has not been performed. Here, we examine the evolution of the ‘Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention,’ documents representing the heritage conservation policies of UNESCO over the period 1994–2019. Using keyword analysis and document analysis, the findings show evidence of an increasing emphasis on local communities, growing primarily since 2005. However, the theme of well-being only first emerged in the operational guidelines in 2019. Political, economic, and environmental challenges idiosyncratic to specific places often complicate the role of local communities and well-being in heritage conservation priorities. Future research should investigate the potential implementation and implications of these changes for the guidelines at specific UNESCO world heritage sites.

Urbanization in Saudi Arabia and sustainability challenges of cities and heritage sites: heuristical insights

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the trajectories of the urbanization process in Saudi Arabia in its regional context from the unification of the country by King Abdul Aziz Al Saud in 1932 to the present time, and the urbanization impact on the status and management of cultural heritage in the Kingdom.Design/methodology/approachOur study design integrated a well-articulated theoretical frame of sustainability to gain a heuristical understanding of urbanization in Saudi Arabia, and its link to cultural heritage. The methodological approach was mixed in nature involving (1) literature search and review, (2) analysis of public documents and databases, (3) analysis of photographs and (4) expert interviews.FindingsOne of the most obvious findings reached in this study is that there is considerable trade-off between heritage site conservation, population and economic demand for increased urbanization. Hence, with increasing urbanization pressures, the value of the heritage site may be rethought based on Saudi Arabia's economic and cultural conservation perspectives.Research limitations/implicationsSince our data are mostly of textual narrative in origin, precise predictions were difficult or impossible for many reasons such as non-linearity, and non-equilibrium dynamics, context and scale dependence as well as the historical exigency of urbanization. However, the same theoretical framework can be applied to appropriate longitudinal/ time series data for predictive analyses, which can be taken up as a future research agenda.Originality/valueThis paper analyzes the urbanization process and sustainability challenges of cultural heritage sites employing a mixed methodological approach, embedded in a holistic theoretical framework of sustainability.