Environmental Heritage Research Articles

“AL VERSO E AL CONTRO”: the marble quarries of Carrara–new perspectives for the cultural and environmental heritage of quarrying in the Apuan Alps

“AL VERSO E AL CONTRO”: the marble quarries of Carrara–new perspectives for the cultural and environmental heritage of quarrying in the Apuan Alps

A PROTEÇÃO AO PATRIMÔNIO AMBIENTAL DO ESTADO DO AMAZONAS EMUMA ANÁLISE CONSTITUCIONAL

The state of Amazonas stands out for its immense biodiversity, from the Amazon rainforest.Given that it encompasses the world's the world and all its ecosystems, the question arises: Howis the environmental heritage in the state of Amazonas? This study aims to analyseenvironmental protection in the light of the Federal Constitution of 1988 Federal Constitutionand the Constitution of the State of Amazonas. To this end, this research used bibliographicalresearch, of a qualitative-quantitative nature, of a described nature and a deductive approach. Itis justified from academic and social perspectives, with a view to improving society in thesociety through scientific practice. Through the research, this study pursues the hypothesis thatconstitutional legislation is but the practical implementation of the law in reality is lacking, inorder to fully fulfil it, with the result that it was confirmed.

O Bixiga em disputa: ambiente, cultura, memória e interesses imobiliários

Bixiga is currently experiencing a critical situation that threatens the preservation of what constitutes its most unmistakable cultural and environmental heritage, associated with the strong impact caused by the advance of real estate interests, announced by new buildings recently approved by Conpresp in its territory. Particular concern is the vulnerability to which the area known as Grota do Bixiga is being exposed, despite the existence of protective legislation agreed since the early 2000s. Concern is intensified by the fact that these developments create reckless precedents for others to be approved in the near future, thus putting an end to the possibility of preserving what remains of Grota do Bixiga. This approach allows us to look at a whole process of study, inventorying and consolidation of knowledge produced within the Historical Heritage Department, which began in the 1980s, linking architectural assets to the structuring elements of the urban fabric and to the social relationships that not only populate the memory of the place, but are kept alive in the cultural practices of the present. It also allows us to deal with the impasses between cultural heritage preservation policies and urban policies of a broader nature. It also allows us to deal with the impasses between cultural heritage preservation policies and broader urban policies. Finally, it allows us to analyze another layer of latent memory, unveiled by the discoveries linked to the excavations carried out for the construction of the Orange Line Subway Station. The recent archaeological finds have sparked an important debate about the origin of occupation of the neighborhood associated with the presence of the Quilombo Saracura, strengthening the memory of the black population, due to its representativeness and its persistence over time, as an essential element of the culture of the place, which cannot be erased or made invisible.

Tea tourism landscape development through a sustainable alternative livelihood approach: a case study of Pedro tea estate, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Tea tourism has gained traction in the tourism industry around the world as a sustainable and eco-friendly niche in agro-tourism. Sri Lanka, a significant tea-producing nation renowned for its “Ceylon Tea” brand, has the opportunity to harness tea agro-tourism as a sustainable alternative income source. This research focuses on the case of Pedro Tea Estate in Nuwara-Eliya, Sri Lanka, to examine the sustainable alternative livelihood approach in tea tourism landscape development and its impact on both the tea tourism industry and community empowerment. Tea tourism offers immersive experiences to eco-conscious travellers seeking authentic encounters with the tea production process. By integrating sustainable practices, tea tourism fosters environmental responsibility and contributes to economic development in tea-growing regions. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, tea tourism demonstrates its potential to foster economic growth, social inclusion, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship. This study aims to demonstrate how responsible practices and community engagement can enable the tea tourism industry to thrive while safeguarding the cultural and environmental heritage of tea-growing areas. The research endeavours to inspire other tea-growing regions to adopt sustainable landscape development and community empowerment strategies, fostering a more responsible and sustainable global tea tourism industry.

Cultural Heritage, Migration, and Land Use Transformation in San José Chiltepec, Oaxaca

Indigenous communities worldwide face increasing challenges from modernization, migration, and economic pressures, which threaten their traditional agricultural systems and cultural heritage. These dynamics often lead to shifts in land use, the erosion of ancestral knowledge, and the weakening of cultural identity. Understanding how these communities adapt to such changes is crucial for sustainable development. This research examines how indigenous communities, particularly San José Chiltepec in Oaxaca, balance the preservation of cultural heritage with adapting to evolving agricultural practices and land use transformations. It emphasizes the critical role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable land management and the importance of cultural identity amidst socio-economic pressures. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating geostatistical data, spatial analysis, and qualitative insights from municipal development plans and community-based observations. This provided a detailed understanding of how local conditions and external forces shape land use and conservation. The findings reveal that, while irrigated agriculture and pasturelands have declined, the community has shown resilience through the preservation of seasonal farming and the expansion of secondary vegetation. San José Chiltepec serves as a model for how indigenous communities can maintain cultural and environmental heritage while adapting to modern economic challenges.

Co-creation and urban transformation: the application of design thinking for participatory solutions in Rio Tavares, Florianópolis

Cities face increasingly complex challenges that demand innovative and collaborative solutions. The lack of participatory urban planning and the need for more humanized approaches have generated negative impacts on the quality of life, including the loss of cultural identity, inadequate urban mobility, and environmental damage. This article analyzes the application of Design Thinking, focusing on the immersion and analysis stages, within a participatory urban transformation process in the Rio Tavares neighborhood of Florianópolis, Brazil. This growing neighborhood faces challenges such as the lack of urban infrastructure and the need for preserving cultural and environmental heritage. This study investigates how Design Thinking can engage the community in identifying and understanding these problems, promoting empathy, and gaining a clear understanding of local needs. The research employed an experience report methodology with data collection through a participatory mural at two cultural events held in the neighborhood. The results revealed the main challenges faced by the neighborhood and highlighted the importance of citizen participation in the urban transformation process.

Use of Skillful Techniques in Maintaining Sustainability of Green Environment

During the atmosphere of Sustainable Development, India as a developing country showing focus on Enterprise development & infrastructural assistance hence in this circumstances where the situation of Covid intended to give an emphasis on importance on maintaining Environmental heritage then Horticulture can be a prime subject of being a topic to be discussed of. The Paper focuses more on the areas, where the training of the potential skill, enforcement in the area of maintaining sustainability of Green Environment with innovative tools & techniques. Secondary data have been utilized for developing the theme of Capacity Building and Skill Development: Providing training sessions and workshops to empower participants with practical knowledge and skills. It is factual to mention that India as a developing nation need to provide access to information & training on the part of the cauterization & categorization of the concept of Capacity Building & skill development in the field of Green Management (Horticulture).

Technological Use from the Perspective of Cultural Heritage Environment: Augmented Reality Technology and Formation Mechanism of Heritage-Responsibility Behaviors of Tourists

This paper explores the integration of augmented reality (AR) technology within the realm of cultural heritage tourism, particularly its influence on the development of tourists’ heritage-responsibility behaviors. Addressing the recovery and development of Chinese domestic tourism in the post-pandemic period, smart tourism technology innovations have been explored. The research demonstrates that AR, by surpassing physical and temporal constraints, fosters a deeper synthesis of traditional and contemporary cultures, thereby enriching the comprehension of national history and cultural heritage. Employing the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) theory, a theoretical framework is established to elucidate the causal links from AR attributes to perceived usefulness, enjoyment, and behavioral intentions. The analysis reveals that the interactivity, vividness, and novelty of AR significantly augment perceived usefulness and enjoyment, although augmentation quality does not notably impact enjoyment. Both perceived usefulness and enjoyment significantly drive the intention to recommend. This study offers valuable theoretical insights and practical recommendations for the strategic deployment of AR in the sustainable development of cultural heritage tourism.

Popularity Paradox in Venice, Italy: A Battle of Priorities

Venice is facing significant challenges due to overtourism, with a high number of visitors straining local infrastructure and pushing residents out of their homes. To address this issue, local authorities are promoting longer-term visits to encourage tourists to adopt the local way of life. This case study aims to provide a detailed overview of the overtourism phenomenon in Venice and highlight the measures implemented to combat it. It emphasizes the global significance of Venice’s situation, illustrating the challenges faced by many tourist destinations worldwide. The study underscores the need for community-driven solutions to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the preservation of cultural and environmental heritage. Through exploring the issues, strategies, and lessons from Venice, other destinations can learn how to maintain their unique identities while meeting the demands of the tourism industry.

Advanced Multichannel Lighting Control Systems in Heritage Environments: Case Study of the Cathedral of Seville

Advanced Multichannel Lighting Control Systems in Heritage Environments: Case Study of the Cathedral of Seville

Research on Application of Composite Facades for Civilian Reconstruction of Industrial Heritage in Cold Regions Based on Thermal Buffering Effect

Previous studies on the civil transformation of industrial heritage have been conducted mainly from the perspective of architectural history, culture and aesthetics, but rarely focus on energy-saving and the comfort of the new users. Most industrial heritage facades are of high conservation value, but efforts to preserve the authenticity of the facade can lead to the application of limited energy-saving technologies, ultimately resulting in poor indoor thermal environments. Therefore, it is valuable to research how to solve the contradiction between protecting the authenticity of the preserved facades of industrial heritage and improving the indoor environmental performance. This paper proposes two composite facade application strategies based on thermal buffer effects, takes two composite facades renovation methods of Shenyang Dongmao No. 2 Warehouse as an example, utilizes the natural environmental resources to enhance the spatial quality of industrial heritage. With the help of DesignBuilder software modelling simulation analysis, in-depth comparative analysis of the two types of composite facades on the indoor thermal environment of the industrial heritage of the impact and scope. Key findings show that the application of two different composite facade retrofitting techniques not only protects the skin texture of the wall, but also effectively increases the indoor temperature and reduces the indoor energy consumption of the industrial heritage. The composite facade of the external solid wall and the internal glass is more stable in raising the indoor temperature, more effective in reducing the building energy consumption, and more suitable for the civilian transformation of industrial heritage in cold areas. The research findings provide reference for studies on the civil transformation of industrial heritage, and serve as technical references for architects.

Digital Documentation and Architectural Heritage Restoration with 3-D Geometry: The Ambulatory of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

ABSTRACT The SFM photogrammetry (Structure from Motion) is a technique developed in the field of computer vision that allows obtaining 3D models from images taken from different angles. Despite its extensive development, this technique faces methodological challenges when applied to complex heritage environments. Typically, heritage restoration documentation focuses on the initial and final stages when works have not yet begun or have already concluded, and the object of study is free of obstacles and workers, with its use in intermediate stages being uncommon. The aim of this article is to present geometric documentation using SFM-MVS photogrammetry across multiple stages of the roof restoration of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), showcasing an expert application of this technique in a real working scenario with multiple challenges, adapting to complex scenes without interfering with project timelines and providing high-quality outcomes at a low cost, even in areas temporarily obscured by scaffolding or plastic coverings. It provides essential data for geometric assistance in restoration design, adaptation, and stakeout. Moreover, continuous 3D documentation enables the creation of 3D stop-motion models, offering an innovative perspective for understanding and communicating a wide range of restoration and construction projects.

Driving Tourism Development: Insights into Village Governance in Bukit Lawang

Bukit Lawang Plantation Tourism Village, situated in Bahorok District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, offers various engaging activities, including jungle trekking, rafting, bat cave tours, and tubing. The village government plays a pivotal role in the development and promotion of tourism within this area. This study aims to examine the village government's contributions to the growth of Bukit Lawang Plantation Tourism Village. Employing a qualitative research method with an interview approach, the study reveals several key findings. The village government has significantly enhanced community understanding of tourism and actively involves residents in decision-making processes. Promotional efforts through the village website have increased visibility and attraction. Furthermore, the government has provided essential facilities, contributing to the economic improvement of the community. It has also emphasized the preservation of cultural and environmental heritage, ensuring sustainable tourism practices. Additionally, the village government supports community participation in training programs, which aim to improve the quality of human resources, particularly in the tourism sector. These initiatives collectively foster a conducive environment for tourism development, driving local economic growth and cultural preservation. This study underscores the importance of local governance in transforming Bukit Lawang into a vibrant tourist destination, highlighting the multifaceted roles of the village government as a motivator, facilitator, and dynamic actor in the tourism sector.

Driving Tourism Development: Insights into Village Governance in Bukit Lawang

Bukit Lawang Plantation Tourism Village, situated in Bahorok District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, offers various engaging activities, including jungle trekking, rafting, bat cave tours, and tubing. The village government plays a pivotal role in the development and promotion of tourism within this area. This study aims to examine the village government's contributions to the growth of Bukit Lawang Plantation Tourism Village. Employing a qualitative research method with an interview approach, the study reveals several key findings. The village government has significantly enhanced community understanding of tourism and actively involves residents in decision-making processes. Promotional efforts through the village website have increased visibility and attraction. Furthermore, the government has provided essential facilities, contributing to the economic improvement of the community. It has also emphasized the preservation of cultural and environmental heritage, ensuring sustainable tourism practices. Additionally, the village government supports community participation in training programs, which aim to improve the quality of human resources, particularly in the tourism sector. These initiatives collectively foster a conducive environment for tourism development, driving local economic growth and cultural preservation. This study underscores the importance of local governance in transforming Bukit Lawang into a vibrant tourist destination, highlighting the multifaceted roles of the village government as a motivator, facilitator, and dynamic actor in the tourism sector.

Interaction and Navigation in Immersive Virtual Heritage Environments for the First and Third Person Perspective

Immersive capabilities in virtual applications have been attracting huge interest from researchers and developers. In this paper, we discuss interaction and navigation, which are the key elements creating a sense of immersion, for first and third-person perspectives in immersive virtual heritage applications. We design and develop an immersive virtual application for user experience from which we take and analyze user feedback on the mentioned interaction and navigation aspects. The results indicate that in some purposes and interactive applications, the first-person perspective is the appropriate choice and vice versa, with spatially wide applications, the third-person perspective is better.

Catch of Reesa vespulae in Heritage Environments.

The skin beetle Reesa vespulae is regularly found beyond North America where it originated. The larvae cause considerable concern in museums, as they damage hides or furs in addition to being a special source of damage to collections of dried plants in herbaria or collections of insects and other zoological specimens. Reesa vespulae arrived in Europe in the mid-20th century and was associated mostly with stored food products, but over time, it has become recognised as a museum pest. Although it is still uncommon and may only be observed in a small fraction of museums, when the insect is found in large numbers, it can cause problems. Catches from blunder traps in Austrian museums and from an online database in the UK were used to track changing concern over the insect. As a single female beetle can continue to reproduce because the species is parthenogenetic, its presence can persist over long periods of time. Although small populations in museums are typically found in the adult form, the larval forms are more common where a site is infested by high numbers, perhaps because the larvae and adults must range more widely for food. Although R. vespulae can be controlled using pesticides, it is also possible to kill the larvae within infested materials through freezing or anoxia.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Heritage Environments and Their Analysis: A Review

In the recent years, there has been an increased interest in indoor air quality in heritage environments, specifically in relation to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These could originate from objects, furnishings, visitors and staff, as well as from olfactory exhibitions. This interest led to a number of studies investigating the “typical” emissions for diverse materials and their impact on the surrounding environment. The analysis of volatile compounds emitted by objects helps in the characterization of the material composition, its conservation history or its degradation processes. This contribution reviews how volatiles are emitted from objects and the commonly used sampling techniques for heritage science applications. A variety of methods are available, from bulk air sample collection to preconcentration using samplers. The commonly studied object types contributing to indoor VOCs are discussed. These include emissions from heritage objects, conservation products, furnishing materials and display cases. Furthermore, olfactory exhibitions are discussed in terms of indoor air quality. Finally, the findings are compared with the current guidelines on indoor volatile concentrations.

‘Escuela de Balates’: Transmission and dissemination of traditional dry stone construction techniques

The Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory (MEMOLab) of the University of Granada undertook the recovery of an ancient agricultural space linked to the medieval alquería (village) of Alcázar (Jérez del Marquesado, Granada, Spain). This participatory process comprised several tasks, the most outstanding being the development of a dry stone construction school called the ‘Escuela de Balates’ offering instruction on how to restore the walls of ancient cultivation terraces. The main objectives of the project were to recover the agricultural space, gain knowledge of ancestral practices, and involve the local population in the conservation of its cultural and environmental heritage.

(Late)nt? Exploring the latent potential for participatory heritage conservation in makhanda, South Africa

There is an increasing call for heritage management to decentralise and involve stakeholders outside of the sphere of governance. This research focuses on participatory conservation of heritage resources and the value of narrative in heritage conservation and tourism development. The case study is situated in the city of Makhanda, which was established in 1812 and possesses a significant number of individual built environment heritage resources and historic streetscapes. These urban features have been identified as assets to the city by various stakeholders and institutions, but they remain under threat. Utilising semi-structured interviews with owners of historic residential properties in the city, the paper argues that homeowners are an underutilised resource in the management of the historic urban fabric. The study found that homeowners held an appreciation for and identified the value of the historic features of their properties, and it argues that this appreciation can be harnessed in heritage management. Interviews revealed, however, that homeowners faced many challenges in managing and maintaining their historic properties and received little support in this regard. Citizen participation in heritage conservation was limited and a top-down approach to heritage resource management predominated.

Predicting the changing insect threat in the UK heritage environment

Environmental changes affecting museums and historic properties will probably result in increased numbers of insect pests or new species. Databases such as WhatsEatingYourCollection (WEYC) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility have been used along with academic publications to predict such changes in the research presented here. The species mix in the WEYC database seems consistent across major London historic properties. Overall, common silverfish (Lepisma saccharinum) are often reported, although in future there may be an increase in other species such as Ctenolepisma longicaudatum and Ctenolepisma calvum given their increased frequency. Dermestidae (carpet and furniture beetles) may benefit from wood with increasing moisture content, and although not especially abundant, Attagenus smirnovi (brown carpet beetle) and Reesa vespulae (skin beetle) may increase as they have done on the European continent. Tineola bisselliella, a damaging moth, has invoked increasing concern over the last two decades and Cryptophagus spp. (fungus beetles) could mobilise fungal spores under a future climate more favourable to germination. Lyctus brunneus (powderpost beetle) may find future conditions favourable and attack sapwoods used in repairs. Furthermore, Reticulitermes flavipes (subterranean termite) is potentially an accidental import to the UK and may become more common given current temperatures are suitable for survival in well-drained loamy soils, and future climates would allow a presence in the north of England. Warmer conditions can lead to the presence of new species or a migration of species across the British Isles and their spread can also be encouraged through the loan of objects or on packing materials. Factors other than climate, such as changing indoor habitats, new food sources and novel uses of heritage venues can also encourage expanding insect populations. This article summarises these predicted changes in species distribution and outlines their potential threat to heritage.