Awareness Of Cultural Heritage Research Articles

Integrating Digital Technologies and Alternate Reality Games for Sustainable Education: Enhancing Cultural Heritage Awareness and Learning Engagement

Integrating Digital Technologies and Alternate Reality Games for Sustainable Education: Enhancing Cultural Heritage Awareness and Learning Engagement

Administrative Law in the Era of Digital Technologies: New Opportunities for the Saving of Cultural Heritage and Public Education

The rapid development of digital technologies has transformed various aspects of human life, including the save and promotion of cultural heritage. The present article explores the intersection of administrative law and digital technologies in relation to the protection of cultural heritage and public education. The study aims to analyze the role of administrative law in providing a legal framework for the utilization of digital technologies to safeguard cultural heritage, address the challenges arising from the adoption of new technologies, and promote public education on the importance of saving historical values. The article begins by examining the innovative methods employed in the save of cultural heritage, such as virtual museums, augmented and virtual reality technologies, and artificial intelligence. The role of administrative law in facilitating the integration of these technologies into the save process is emphasized, as it provides the necessary legal support and guidance to ensure their effective and responsible use. Next, the article delves into the primary challenges and problems faced by the cultural heritage sector in adopting digital technologies. These include issues related to data privacy and security, intellectual property rights, and the need for harmonization between national and international legal frameworks. The article highlights the importance of administrative law in addressing these challenges and ensuring a balanced approach that respects the rights of all stakeholders. The study then discusses the interaction between technology and law in the context of heritage protection. It analyzes the existing legal frameworks governing the use of digital technologies in the cultural heritage sector and identifies areas for improvement and potential legal developments. The role of administrative law in facilitating international cooperation and collaboration in the save of cultural heritage is also explored. Finally, the article presents an overview of the prospects for the development of digital cultural heritage management. It outlines the potential benefits of integrating digital technologies into the save process, such as increased accessibility and awareness of cultural heritage, as well as the opportunities for public education and engagement. The article concludes by emphasizing the crucial role of administrative law in ensuring that the digital transformation of the cultural heritage sector is carried out responsibly and sustainably.

Enhancing Cultural Heritage Tourism through Market Innovation and Technology Integration

Integrating the preservation of cultural heritage with the development of tourism is essential for fostering sustainable economic growth and honoring historical and cultural values. This abstract outlines the pivotal findings from an action research project in an urban setting within the Yangtze River Delta region, emphasizing the role of market innovation and the strategic use of emerging technologies to align cultural heritage conservation with tourism economic growth. The project was approached through a multifaceted methodology, including a literature review, field research, and qualitative data analysis. The research adopted a proactive methodology, harnessing Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to significantly boost visitor engagement and educational enrichment. Integral to the project's strategy was the active inclusion of the community and an educational framework that underscored the collaborative development of knowledge, valuing local perspectives. The implementation of these technologies facilitated immersive experiences, leading to a substantial increase in tourist satisfaction and an enhanced awareness of cultural heritage among residents, suggesting a symbiotic dynamic between preservation efforts and development. Despite the study's regional focus, which presents limitations in the generalizability of the findings, the results underscore the necessity for expanded research. There is a clear need to examine the intricate interplay between technological optimization and conservation strategies within a variety of cultural and geographical contexts. The insights garnered from this study contribute meaningfully to the field of sustainable cultural heritage tourism, suggesting avenues for future exploration and practical application.

Virtual Reconstruction of a New Model of Cultural Heritage Dissemination

According to China's cultural heritage dissemination strategy, China has always had a small scope of cultural heritage dissemination and low awareness of cultural heritage, and it is believed that cultural heritage dissemination is facing a huge dilemma. Based on the Chinese chair, the researchers study the impact of the evolution of Chinese history and technology on the chair, and propose a new way of cultural heritage dissemination of the chair with virtual reality VR technology as the core, realising virtual reconstruction based on the chair, virtual scene reconstruction, increasing the immersive cultural experience, and improving the efficiency of dissemination. The study finds a new model of virtual watch collection, handheld virtual museum dissemination. Using qualitative research, combined with user experience analysis, the user experience of the developed new mode of communication is evaluated through actual sample surveys, and the results of the evaluation obtained positive feedback on the immersion and presence of this new mode, which confirms that this research chair-based virtual reconstruction, virtual watch collection handheld gaming museums can be a new approach to improve the cultural heritage communication service alternatives.

Heritage Education of Memory: Gamification to Raise Awareness of the Cultural Heritage of War

This study focused on the use of gamification, specifically the UrbanGame activity, to enhance heritage education related to the bombings of the Spanish Civil War in Alicante. The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of active methodologies in raising cultural heritage awareness among university students, particularly those in primary and secondary teacher training programs. The methods included the design and implementation of the UrbanGame, followed by surveys to collect quantitative and qualitative data on students’ perceptions, satisfaction, and learning outcomes. The results indicated that meaningful learning showed a positive trend towards content comprehension, and that motivation and concentration significantly influenced learning outcomes. Additionally, the UrbanGame activity promoted memory and cultural heritage by emotionally connecting students with local history, providing future teachers with innovative pedagogical tools for their teaching.

Integrating social media technology for the awareness of ancient manuscript preservation

Purpose This paper aims to explore opportunities for using social media technology to support the awareness in the digital environment of ancient manuscript preservation, as well as to share Indonesian libraries’ experiences in leveraging those media. Design/methodology/approach This paper relies on a literature review to discuss the implementation of social media platforms for preserving and raising awareness of cultural heritage in the form of ancient manuscripts. This paper also observes how some Indonesian libraries use their social media accounts to preserve and raise awareness of ancient manuscript collections. Findings Social media technology provides opportunities for libraries to help perform their cultural heritage preservation function in various and interesting ways. Multiple Indonesian libraries rely on social media technology to preserve and raise awareness of their ancient manuscript collections. Some of those interesting strategies are uploading posts related to the libraries’ ancient manuscript collections; posting “snapshots” of sections of ancient manuscripts; documenting ancient manuscript conservation practices; documenting the involvement of communities in preserving ancient manuscripts; announcing upcoming events and activities related to ancient manuscript studies; and posting interesting news, information and updates about ancient manuscript collections. Originality/value This paper contributes to the existing literature and empirical studies by providing insights into the adoption of social media technology to help preservation and raise awareness of ancient manuscripts in the digital environment. This paper can help those libraries wanting to use their social media accounts to increase and develop their preservation efforts, especially when it comes to ancient manuscript collections.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Awareness Survey among Residents in Zhangzhou City: A Perspective on Cultural Heritage Security

This study, taking the perspective of cultural heritage security, conducted a survey among residents of Zhangzhou on their awareness of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) using questionnaires. The findings reveal that residents of Zhangzhou exhibit relatively high awareness of ICH in folk customs, fine arts, and drama, while awareness is comparatively lower in music and folk performing arts. The primary channels of awareness include new media (66.6%), traditional media (53.3%), and family and friends (51.5%). Traditional drama (60.6%) and traditional craftsmanship (57.3%) emerge as the most prominent areas of interest among ICH projects. The majority supports heritage protection through live demonstrations and multimedia materials, emphasizing challenges such as insufficient government support, inadequate media coverage, and a shortage of heritage inheritors. The government is perceived as the primary responsible entity (32.9%), while heritage inheritors are considered the main custodians (36.2%). Regarding consumption related to ICH, most respondents adopt a cautious stance, with 59.8% indicating an annual spending of less than 500 yuan. In conclusion, the survey calls for collective efforts within society to address key issues in heritage protection, ensuring its sustainable inheritance and development.

Study on Factors Influencing University Students' Awareness of Intangible Cultural Heritage Transmission

In the context of contemporary globalization, the preservation and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage has assumed heightened significance. Serving as a pivotal cultural asset, intangible cultural heritage plays an essential role in upholding cultural diversity and fostering societal progress. This study combines micro and macro-level management practices, student engagement theory, and cultural-historical activity theory to conduct quantitative research on 500 art and design students from 16 universities in Shaanxi Province, China. The primary research findings reveal a positive correlation between students' sense of responsibility and cultural heritage awareness, indicating deepening responsibility with heightened awareness. However, general knowledge and student-teacher interactions, though positively correlated, lack statistical significance. The study underscores the crucial role of institutional support and pragmatic education in enhancing students' intangible cultural heritage transmission awareness. Practical, hands-on learning experiences and strong institutional backing drive a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural heritage among students. These insights have implications for educational policy and curriculum design, emphasizing the need for a multi-faceted approach to intangible cultural heritage education that incorporates both theoretical knowledge and practical experiences, and underscores the importance of institutional support in this endeavor.

Fostering cultural heritage awareness through VR serious gaming: A study on promoting Saudi heritage among the younger generation

This study employs a virtual reality (VR) game to examine the role of VR gaming in learning Saudi cultural heritage. By creating 3D (Three-dimensional) virtual heritage buildings, the game immerses players in cultural scenes, fostering a lasting appreciation for art history. Objectives include making heritage information dissemination engaging, blending learning and entertainment in a 3D environment, designing a gamified setting for active learning, and igniting interest in culture, tradition, architecture, and art history. This paper further highlights the significance of serious gaming in promoting the Saudi cultural heritage among the younger generation. The research involved immersing 59 participants into a heritage building environment using a VR game and then probing their experience of the environment through a questionnaire. Results indicate positive participant experiences, increased interest in Saudi cultural heritage and appreciation for VR technology. The study demonstrates the potential of VR games to make heritage accessible and enjoyable for the younger generation, motivating further exploration and learning. Valuable resources are provided for individuals and researchers interested in using VR gaming for cultural heritage engagement.

EXPLORING THE RITUALS OF ATA-MANOBO TRIBE IN THE PHILIPPINES: A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS

The main purpose of the study was to determine the views of the Ata-Manobo Elders in Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong regarding the signs and symbols used in their rituals and cultural preservation. The signs and symbols used in their rituals were studied using semiotic analysis and the method used in this study was the qualitative research design. Moreover, the approach utilized in this inquiry was the phenomenological approach. The first theme used in this study was about educating young ones which stimulated the exposure and teaching of the young Ata-Manobo on conducting rituals in varied intentions and celebrations. The second theme in this study was about the celebration of culture, this fortified their aesthetic and unique culture. The third theme was the display of craft which particularly elaborated the use and meaning of the signs and symbols in various rituals. The fourth theme was the practice of rituals which evidently marked the preservation of the culture. This study had pronounced impact on the country in terms of cultural heritage awareness and preservation. Filipinos most particularly in the Municipality of Kapalong and nearby municipalities will then become aware of the signs and symbols used in the rituals of the Ata-Manobo Tribe in Gupitan. KEYWORDS – Ata Manobo, rituals, Philippines, signs and symbols, semiotic analysis

다문화주의에 대한 시민의 인식과 교육 정책 방향

The purpose of this paper is to understand through the important intersection of citizen awareness and education policy in the context of multiculturalism, this study examines how multiculturalism in modern society causes citizens to recognize cultural diversity and the role of education policy in forming this awareness. Based on various theoretical frameworks, empirical data, and case studies on education policy, we focused on uncovering the complex dynamics surrounding the relationship between citizen perceptions and education policy. To this end, we investigated the beliefs and perceptions of prospective teachers and analyzed their impact on multicultural awareness, explored the historical development of multiculturalism and its impact on modern education policy, and focused on cultivating awareness of cultural heritage through education. It sought to highlight the complex relationship between civic awareness and education policy in multicultural societies and provide insight into effective strategies to promote a more culturally aware society. I hope that more active research related to diverse educational policies and multiculturalism will be conducted in the future.

Student-Led Initiatives for cultural heritage awareness: The case of “Meshkat”, Jordan

Jordan's rich cultural heritage, including its historical landmarks, architecture, and traditional crafts, is a source of pride for its people. However, the lack of systematic awareness and consciousness puts it at risk of being lost or forgotten. Many activities and campaigns had been conducted but they were scattered and unorganized. On the other hand, there were some student- led initiatives that played a promising try in promoting cultural heritage and in raising awareness. This study aims to explore the role of student-led initiatives in raising awareness of cultural heritage, using the case of “Meshkat”, a student-based initiative conducted at the University of Jordan. The study employed a qualitative research approach, and data were collected through interviews, discussions, and observation of Meshkat's activities. The results indicate that this initiative provides an effective platform for students to engage in volunteer work and gain practical experience. Additionally, student-led initiatives offer an opportunity for collaboration between students, local communities, and experts in cultural heritage preservation. Therefore, this study recommends promoting and supporting similar initiatives in other communities.

Raising Cultural Heritage Awareness with the Sivas Culture Route Proposal

Sivas kenti geçmişten günümüze Lidyalı, Romalı, Danişmendli, Selçuklu ve Osmanlı gibi birçok medeniyet ve uygarlığa ev sahipliği yapmıştır. Sivas sahip olduğu gelenek ve görenekleri, farklı kültürel katmanlarıyla zengin kültürel miras barındıran bir kenttir. Sivas’ın tanıtılması, kentte yaşayan bireylerin kültürel miras farkındalığının artırılması önemlidir. Bu sebeple bu çalışmada Sivas kentinde kültürel miras farkındalığı kazandırmak için kültür rotası önerisinde bulunmak amaçlanmıştır. Kültür rotası önerisinde bulunurken Türkiye Turizm, Tanıtım ve Geliştirme Ajansı’nın hazırlamış olduğu GoTürkiye platformunda yer alan rota önerileri geliştirilip görselleştirilerek rota önerisi hazırlanmıştır. Sivas için rota önerisinde bulunurken somut ve somut olmayan kültür varlıklarını kapsayan bütüncül bir yaklaşım sergilenmiştir. Kültür rotası hazırlanırken Sivas GoTürkiye bölümünde yer alan yapılar esas alınmıştır. Ancak web sayfasında yer alan anıtsal yapılar rota önerisinde bulunmada eksik kaldığı için yeni duraklar eklenmiştir. Rota önerisi haritasında kent merkezinin 1 km’lik yarıçap içerisindeki anıtsal ve kamusal yapılar, müzeler, yeme-içme durakları işaretlenmiştir. Rota önerisinde kentin tarihi, kültürel ve sosyal yönleriyle ele alınmasına dikkat edilmiştir. Kültür rotası önerisinin kentte turizmin gelişmesi, kültürel miras bilinci kazandırılması ve kentin tanıtılması adına katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.

Phenomenology of Perception (for Preservation) of Cultural Heritage: Insights on Coastal Kenya

Contemporary social awareness of cultural heritage mostly expresses the understanding of intangible heritage according to rationalist theories of perception. These theories bind modes of recognition to empirical and sensory domains. Yet in order to value and safeguard cultural heritage, be it in the form of ritual practices, symbolic narratives, creation myths or religious and mystical experiences, it is necessary to interpret and appreciate the being and doing of diverse cultural groups. A meaningful analysis of intangible dimensions in cultural heritage needs to consider the role and ontological status of human emotion and imagination.
 Individuals are actors in a given space and interact with it as much as they can, depending on the frequency of their visits. Repeated research stays in the Kenyan coastal region offered the author opportunities for communication with a specific natural and cultural environment. This paper explores a participatory process of enhancement and interpretation of intangible cultural heritage that includes feelings and emotions in analysis of the body of knowledge that results from this research approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic, cultural heritage, and policy in Japan: implications of survey data

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Japanese society, including its relationship with cultural heritage. This paper shares findings of a large-scale web-based survey conducted from January to February 2022, reaching over 10,000 respondents using a smartphone questionnaire system, aimed at answering the following questions: ‘What impact has the pandemic had on societies and local communities in Japan?’ and ‘What policies should be implemented to protect cultural heritage in response to this new situation in Japan?’. A cross-cutting analysis of the collected responses and respondent attributes was performed. The paper offers four recommendations for long- and short-term cultural heritage policies to enhance future protection. Firstly, it emphasizes increasing cultural heritage awareness, targeting youth and the economically disadvantaged. Secondly, it recommends a reassessment of the prevailing policy structures related to temples and shrines. This recognises the traditional role these institutions have played as community gathering places. Thirdly, it emphasizes supporting smaller, rural festivals with financial aid for repairs, promotions, and bridging migrant gaps. Finally, it suggests integrating the younger generation into the cultural heritage discourse through educational initiatives and digital resources, ensuring continued relevance and intergenerational connection to cultural heritage in Japan. These policy suggestions stand as the linchpin for perpetuating cultural heritage and fostering intergenerational engagement therein.

The contribution of archaeoparks to cultural heritage awareness: The case of Bursa Hisar

The pressing need to protect archaeological sites amidst rapid urbanization is a global concern. These sites, vital to our cultural heritage, face threats from advancing urban development, especially in historically layered cities. Accurate understanding and contextualization of artifacts from various eras are crucial. Preservation efforts must extend beyond physical continuity and relics to include integration into urban socio-economic and socio-spatial contexts. This holistic approach aids in interpreting layered cities and promoting heritage awareness. This study focuses on the ArchaeoPark initiatives in the Hisar Region, a significant part of Bursa’s cultural landscape. It serves as an example highlighting the importance of preserving archaeological sites and their original artifacts within urban environments. This preservation and display within the city enhance the awareness and understanding of both residents and visitors regarding these valuable cultural assets. Public participation in heritage conservation fosters greater recognition of the importance of these sites, leading to more sustainable preservation efforts. Bursa and its surroundings are key archaeological sites in Anatolia, showcasing a layered urban history. The chosen Hisar region has the potential to unveil this history, becoming a vital cultural heritage area in Bursa. After stressing the importance of urban archaeological heritage conservation, the study delves into pertinent conservation methods. It introduces Bursa as a significant cultural landscape, emphasizing ArchaeoPark activities and excavated artifacts in the Hisar region. Lastly, it offers recommendations to boost the role of Hisar ArchaeoPark in cultural heritage awareness and preservation. This study aims to contribute to efforts focused on increasing cultural heritage awareness, which is a vital aspect of heritage conservation and management, despite being a time-consuming process. The conservation and presentation of archaeological sites within urban areas, exemplified by the ArchaeoPark in the Hisar Region, play a pivotal role in safeguarding our cultural heritage for future generations.

The Ordeal of Traditional Authorities and Sacraments in the Cameroon Anglophone Armed Conflict

One of the main challenges that the world and Africa have faced for the past fifty years has been the proliferation of armed conflicts. These armed conflicts mostly occurred paradoxically in areas rich with a variety of cultural heritage. In fact, since WWII, several areas harboring rich cultural heritages have been destroyed by armed conflicts. Frequent armed conflicts turn to destroy the cultural heritage which is an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions, and values. In reality, cultural heritage can provide an automatic sense of unity and belonging within a group and permit people to better understand previous generations and the history of where they come from. The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate how the armed conflicts in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon (North West and South West regions) are gradually destroying the cultural heritages of communities that live in these two regions. The main question posed in this study is: what are the stakes of armed conflict on the socio-cultural heritage of the English-speaking regions of the republic of Cameroon? How can cultural heritage awareness contribute in resolving the armed conflicts in the area? And finally, what is the future of the people without a cultural background? This cultural effacement has been substantiated by the burning and profanation of traditional palaces with all their contents as well as, the looting, kidnapping, torture, and even killing of traditional authorities who prior to the War held the affidavit of all forms of unity, love and power within these traditional communities. Findings in this paper revealed that, so far, the armed conflict in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon has seriously affected the socio-cultural heritage of several communities in the area of study The fact too that armed combatants of this region have rather concentrated on eradicating all the entire paraphernalia of chieftaincies and its network of norms f hierarchy has made the palaces hitherto held to be sanctuary of all cultures to become unsecured thereby, causing the fons to flee for survival elsewhere, also indicates the pressure brought by this armed conflicts to local norms and traditions. It submits that war does far more than kill just belligerents as it sinks far deep into the yards of effacing established customs and traditions that provide the adhesive threads for most generations. This submission is therefore valid not just for the current armed conflict plaguing the Anglophone regions of Cameroon but also for any society that has resulted to seek justice through armed conflict.

Resilience and future heritage – the central market area of Thessaloniki; Hersus project’s 3rd International Design Workshop

Culture has recently been acknowledged as the fourth pillar of sustainability, next to Environment, Economy and Society. Built heritage preservation is considered crucial for sustainable urban development and resilience. The Erasmus+ supported Hersus project brings together five academic institutions across Europe to explore the potential for enhancing cultural heritage awareness and sustainable development of the built environment. The 3rd international student workshop, which took place in Thessaloniki in October 2022, within the project’s framework, explored the resilient and sustainable preservation of built heritage in Thessaloniki’s historic centre, focusing on the traditional central market area which constitutes an exemplary continuation of use in the diachrony of the city. Hebrard’s plan, envisioned the future built heritage that the workshop dealt with; shaped by the pressures of private and public economic agendas, the original plan has evolved, after gradual transformations of the area, in the shape of two superblocks – off the main Aristotelous Axis, delineated on their periphery by large building blocks while maintaining an internal reference to a human scale, whereby the perceived foreground is dominated by listed single or two-storey volumes and narrow pedestrianized passageways. The reality of occupancy in the greater area, shaped by economic, political and societal stress during the last 20 years, is gradually evolving into a mixed use paradigm whereby restaurants coexist with creative spaces, butchers, grocers, retail and craftsmen who co-create the variable, rich and colourful sensescape of the area. Most building stock is in need of restoration but has nonetheless been in constant use. The workshop views the area as a useful resource in achieving social, economic, cultural and environmental sustainability and resilience for the city. The case study employs sustainability and resilience indicators to evaluate recent major interventions in the area, and emerging bottom-up approaches, cultural events and actions aiming to regenerate the area.

Cultural Heritage Awareness Scale: Validity and Reliability Study

Bu araştırmada ortaokul öğrencilerinin kültürel mirasa yönelik farkındalıklarını belirleyebilmek için bir veri toplama aracı geliştirmek amaçlanmıştır. Bu doğrultuda ilk olarak madde havuzu oluşturulmuştur. Oluşturulan 69 maddelik deneme formunda uzmanlardan alınan dönütlere göre düzeltmeler yapılmış ve madde sayısı 48’e indirilmiştir. Ardından 48 maddelik aday form deneme uygulaması olarak 106 ortaokul öğrencisiyle “Sesli Düşünme Yöntemi” kullanılarak seviye ve anlaşılırlık bakımından uygunluğu test edilmiştir. Öğrencilerle yapılan bu çalışmadan sonra 10 madde için tekrar uzman görüşüne başvurularak bu maddelerin çıkarılmasına karar verilmiş, düzeltilmesi önerilen maddelerde ise gerekli değişiklikler yapılmış ve 38 maddelik deneysel form hazır hale getirilmiştir. 38 maddelik ölçeğin taslağı açımlayıcı faktör analizi (AFA) için farklı kademelerdeki 450 ortaokul öğrencisine uygulanmıştır. AFA sonucunda deneysel formun üç faktörlü (X2= 973,619; sd= 592; p<,05; X2/sd= 1,6; RMSEA= ,03; CFI= ,95; TLI= ,94 ve SRMR= ,05) modele uygun olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ölçeğin yapısının doğrulanıp doğrulanmadığı test etmek için 294 ortaokul öğrencisiyle doğrulayıcı faktör analizi (DFA) yapılmıştır. Uygulanan ölçekten elde edilen verilerin analiz sonuçlarının uyumlu olduğu ve önerilen modelin kabul edilebilir (X2= 914,731; sd= 591; p<,05; X2/sd= 1,54; RMSEA=,04; CFI=,92; TLI=,92 ve WRMR=1,1) olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Ölçeğin Cronbach Alfa değeri ,87 olarak belirlenmiştir. Ulaşılan sonuçlar KMFÖ’nün güvenilir ve geçerli ölçme aracı olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır.

A structural equation model to analyze the use of a new multi media platform for increasing awareness of cultural heritage

Dedicated multi media platforms have the potential to enhance experiences and increase people's awareness of cultural heritage. It is, however, not clear to what extent and by which functions these platforms accomplish this. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the influence of functionalities offered by a well-designed multi-media web-platform on the awareness and experience of cultural heritage. The multi media platform used is focused on Strijp-S, an industrial cultural heritage in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The platform was created as a prototype based on a study of users' preferences for contents and media types offered. To collect data, a sample of 302 respondents used the platform to explore and view Strijp-S. To test assumed relationships between different functionalities, awareness and experience in an integrated fashion, the data are analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results show that information-collection funtionality plays a significant role in improving awareness of cultural heritage, whereas auxiliary functions are particularly helpful for enhancing experiences. The perceived helpfulness of these two sets of functions differ however between users depending on theitr level of prior knowledge. Policymakers and urban planners can use these results to create their own platform based on local heritage to increase the citizens' awareness of cultural heritage.