Heritage Assets Research Articles

Large Scale and Complex Structure Grotto Digitalization Using Photogrammetric Method: A Case Study of Cave No. 13 in Yungang Grottoes

Abstract. 3D reconstruction of cultural heritage with large volume and high precision is a technical problem in the field of photogrammetry. This paper studies a high-precision digitalization method for large-volume immovable heritage assets based on photogrammetry and laser scanning. It solves the problem of large-scale aerial triangulation and ensures overall color and geometric consistency while satisfying high-precision modeling of local details. Taking the millimeter accuracy 3D reconstruction project of Cave No. 13 in Yungang Grottoes as an example, we use more than 280,000 arbitrary images to reconstruct the entire cave and verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

CONSIDERATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN GLOBAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION FRAMEWORKS: A QUALITATIVE SURVEY

The impact of the disaster on cultural heritage assets was prominent. Despite the fact that disaster risk reduction (DRR) frameworks were developed to aid nations in combating disaster risk, cultural heritage protection continues to receive little consideration in the overall guidelines. As a result,the previous researcher discovered that cultural heritage needs are frequently not prioritized in the overall disaster management plan. This paper examined the consideration of cultural heritage requirements in the global disaster management plan in light of this concern. A qualitative survey was conducted to investigate the obstacles to appropriately integrating DRR into heritage site management in disaster-prone regions. The 30 respondents agreed that cultural heritage sites should be included in the disaster risk reduction plan; however, the current disaster management practice has not adequately incorporated the heritage sites requirement into the plans and requires significant improvements to combat the disaster risk, particularly in the realm of climate change.It is recommended that future research identify the currently established heritage management instruments that have incorporated disaster risk reduction

Uncovering the impact of cultural heritage on economic growth: empirical evidence from Greek regions, 2000–2019

This paper brings empirical evidence on the role of cultural heritage assets in promoting economic growth. The case of Greece at regional level over the period 2000–2019 is taken as an example, owing to important cultural heritage endowment. Economic growth is approached by formulating a neoclassical growth model augmented with a dynamic cultural heritage index. The relationship between economic growth and cultural heritage is examined through a heterogeneous and cross-correlated panel data analysis. The empirical results reveal a positive impact of cultural heritage endowment on economic growth. Also, a significant positive influence of physical capital and a negative impact of unemployment on the economy are evidenced. The conclusions drawn could be useful to regions and countries to upgrade their cultural heritage endowment to accelerate economic growth.

Traditional Sports, Indigenous Heritage, and Tourism Branding: Pè-sapèan Bangkalan in Madura, Indonesia

Tourism branding in the sports industry shows positive labeling that is used to attract public interest from tourist destinations. It becomes interesting when pè-sapèan can combine sports, cultural heritage and attractions in tourism branding. The method used is to use a systematic literature review to analyze potential opportunities for traditional sports, traditional heritage and tourism branding by collecting articles via Google Scholar. Events in the world of sports industry need a platform as a means to develop into an industrial orientation. In Bangkalan Regency, the annual event that is always held is the Traditional Sports Festival. This Traditional Sports Festival event is not only a place to exercise together but also to encourage enthusiasm, contribution and collaboration to jointly preserve traditional games, especially in Bangkalan, namely Pè-sapèan Bangkalan. In Bangkalan, various sporting events, such as the DISPORA CUP and the DISBUDPAR CUP are still ongoing, this is clear evidence that the development of sports marketing still exists and continues to increase. The traditional Pè-Sapèan sports game was often played by children in the past on Salt Island, with a minimum of three people playing. The game is a replica of Madurese culture, Kerapan Sapi. However, the cow and the jockey both use people, so the game pattern; starting from the start line to the finish line. The team that arrives first is the winner. The traditional sports game Pè-Sapèan can be interpreted as having become extraordinary capital to be developed to preserve the traditional heritage of Bangkalan Regency. This will be a forum for continuing livelihoods by combining cultural heritage capital and community self-organization. Pè-Sapèan traditional sports games can increase the community's self-control capacity towards traditional heritage assets. It would be a win-win if the role of local government could be to develop sports tourism resources, improve sports tourism services, and appoint functional government departments in building tourism branding.

The Ashwell Project: creating an online geospatial community

As the world increasingly embraces digital platforms, archaeologists are adapting their methods of public engagement accordingly. This was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many outreach and engagement efforts moved online. One such project was The Ashwell Project (TAP), which combined aspects of participatory Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and crowdsourcing of datasets, with Progressive Web App functionality of geolocation and navigation to disseminate community-collected photographs and narratives. The project's primary focus was two-fold: to disseminate anecdotal datasets within local heritage initiatives, and how to facilitate the involvement of users with limited technical proficiency innavigating complex digital systems. This paper highlights the opportunities and valuable lessons regarding digital engagement in communities. It considers strategies to promote the adoption of participatory GIS and crowdsourcing datasets, as well as how users' own devices can be utilised to increase engagement with tangible and intangible heritage. I argue that such approaches merit broader consideration, encouraging communities to actively engage with such platforms. The project underscores the importance of design thinking, emphasising empathy and iterative testing, in crafting effective heritage assets. Furthermore, it demonstrates the feasibility of engaging the public with archaeology even amidst a global pandemic.

Development of YOLOv8 and Segment Anything Model Algorithm-Based Hanok Object Detection Model for Sustainable Maintenance of Hanok Architecture

A Hanok refers to a traditional Korean architectural structure. Construction structures undergo gradual, rather than instantaneous, transformations due to material degradation and deterioration in joint durability. Moreover, the detection of a structural problem by a nonexpert has severe implications for the safety of the structure. In particular, the precise effects of natural disasters, including storms, earthquakes, heavy snowfall, and structural defects, on structures are hard to determine. Additionally, manuals are limited by their reliance on quantitative assessments, which can pose difficulties for nonspecialists when it comes to recording numerical data. To solve this problem, 3D scanners have been widely employed in evaluating Hanoks, particularly those assigned as cultural heritage by the government. While those assigned as cultural heritage assets are systematically managed by experts and through budgets, the management system for Hanoks inhabited by the public has been overlooked. To fill this gap, this study focused on digital devices that are accessible to nonexperts as replacements for professional 3D scanners. Specifically, data from photos of a Hanok taken with smartphones were extracted to generate objective numerical data. AI training data for Hanoks were used to train the YOLOv8 algorithm and Segment Anything Model (SAM). The leaning values of columns, which constitute a fundamental structural component of a Hanok, were calculated using photographs that precisely captured the columns. The direction and distance of the column’s movement were extracted for visualization. To ensure the reliability of these values, the Hanok under investigation was 3D-scanned. Comparing the numerical values revealed a negligible margin of error, which confirmed the reliability of the photographic data values. Five-tier safety states (good, observation, caution, danger, and very dangerous) were defined based on the column movement distance by analyzing the real measurement data of government-managed Hanoks and used to visualize the structural condition of Hanoks. Therefore, nonexperts can determine the structural safety of a Hanok using objective numerical data, even in situations where its progressive deformation is not readily apparent. Objective numerical analysis based on reliably collected data allows nonexperts to accurately diagnose structural safety, thus facilitating prompt and suitable actions. The results of this study can serve to enhance the stability and longevity of Hanok structures, thus facilitating sustainable maintenance and management.

Adaptive Reuse of Cultural Heritage

This research explores the critical intersection of spatial development and conservation models for regional sustainable development with a focus on the urban dimension of reuse potentiality. Adaptive reuse stands as a vital strategy in the preservation and revitalization of cultural heritage sites worldwide. This paper explores the multifaceted dimensions of adaptive reuse within the context of cultural heritage, examining its significance, challenges, and innovative approaches. Through a comprehensive review of literature and case studies, this study elucidates the diverse methodologies employed in adapting historical structures for contemporary uses while safeguarding their intrinsic cultural value. It investigates the socio-economic benefits accrued from adaptive reuse initiatives, including heritage tourism promotion, community revitalization, and sustainable development. Moreover, the paper addresses the ethical considerations and conservation principles guiding adaptive reuse practices to ensure the preservation of authenticity, integrity and significance of cultural heritage assets. By synthesizing theoretical frameworks with practical insights, this research contributes to the discourse on sustainable heritage management and underscores the imperative of adaptive reuse as a dynamic tool for safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations.

A Novel Optimization Approach for Revolutionizing Architectural Design in Chinese Cultural Heritage

Chinese cultural heritage architecture, a blend of traditional and modern construction methods, showcases the country's technological, artistic, and cultural advancements, yet its preservation faces challenges due to structural decay and aesthetic degeneration. Using Microtrans Maryland 4-1000, Dazu Rock Carvings, Nanchan Temple and Foguang Temple smokescreen were captured; surface images and ground photos were captured with smokescreen resolution of 5192 x 4153 pixels. The goal of the research is to use an Ensemble Ant Colony Fused Convolutional Capsule Neural Network (EAC-CCNN) to enhance fault analysis in Chinese cultural heritage structures images, then the combination of Augmented Reality (AR), and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to enhance the designing model for the safety management and decision making. The process entails gathering and annotating a variety of information, creating a hybrid EAC-CCNN model to investigate the architectural building's problem, training it, integrating it with BIM, doing on-site inspections, and utilizing AR-enhanced BIM models to analyze the flaws found. The findings demonstrate how this integrated method improves the precision of flaw diagnosis, fosters teamwork, and aids in the upkeep and preservation of cultural heritage assets. Metrics including accuracy and F1 score are used to evaluate the machine learning model recognizes and categorizes flaws in Chinese cultural heritage architecture. The defect identifying and safety management model of architectural designing outcome of the accuracy is 93.29% and F1 Score is 95.47%. During the training, validation, and testing phases, performance is evaluated by project goals. With the help of this method, machine learning models can be trained to identify patterns, identify flaws, and generate well-informed predictions in a variety of circumstances.

Solar energy integration in heritage buildings: A case study of St. Nicholas Church

As climate change accelerates and operational energy burdens strain resources, protecting irreplaceable cultural heritage assets requires urgent prioritization to align preservation with principles of environmental and economic sustainability. Global building energy associated carbon dioxide emissions are projected to escalate over 50% by 2060 in a business as usual scenario, necessitating extensive retrofitting interventions. This research pioneer’s solar technology integration methodologies for heritage sites by developing an original framework evaluating renewable addition feasibility based on comprehensive multi-criteria assessments integrating architectural, cultural, climatic and energy data analytic techniques with participatory planning essential for meaningful adoption. Outcomes aim conveying solar solutions as contemporary manifestations of custodial stewardship honoring artifacts from prior generations by sustaining their continuation using state-of-the-art environmental control modernizations. Demonstration case studies confirm site net-zero energy balances attainable today through 50% consumption reductions from envelope and lighting upgrades supplemented by distributed 20% efficiency building-integrated photovoltaic arrays sized under 50 W/m2 for negligible visibility or structural impacts. Controlled demonstration installations enable incremental capacity expansion validating projections to overcome reservations around inadequately modeled material impacts over full weathering exposure cycles. Participatory monitoring and contextual priority balancing thereby foster smooth logistical coordination and optimized generative restoration.

Analisis Penyajian dan Pengungkapan Aset Bersejarah (Studi Kasus Pada Museum Negeri Siwalima Provinsi Maluku)

This study aims to determine the disclosure and presentation of Heritage Assets according to PSAP 07 of 2010 at the Siwalima Museum, Maluku Province. The type of research used in this study is a case study research with a qualitative approach. The necessary data were obtained through interviews, observation, documentation, as well as secondary data related to this research. The results of the study show that the presentation of heritage assets is not in accordance with PASP No. 07 of 2010. They are not presented in the Notes to the Financial Statements where historical assets are supposed to be included. Instead, heritage assets are listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements in terms of units, without any corresponding values, but they are explained in the Museum Items Inventory Book.

Under-utilisation of the World Heritage Cultural Landscape category? A timely question

ABSTRACT UNESCO’s Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972) (Convention) provides the highest level of international recognition for outstanding universal heritage places. While the Convention has been instrumental in aiding heritage preservation, arguably it has also reinforced a problematic ‘culture’ and ‘nature’ division in protected area management. This is not a new observation. One solution that attempted to address this issue was the introduction of the World Heritage (WH) ‘Cultural Landscape’ category in 1992. Yet, as of 2023, there are only 127 Cultural Landscape properties of the total 1157 properties on the WH List (10.9%). Poor recognition of the category appears particularly acute in some regions, such as Australia-Oceania, and in this paper, we consider this apparent under-utilisation with a systematic review of the literature about the category. Our analysis reveals significant and concerning regional variations in both use of the cultural landscape category and in research about it. In our current era, when better recognition of First Nation heritage is demanded, and when greater protection of heritage assets is required, further uptake of the Cultural Landscape category has the potential to redress these pressing societal concerns.

Machine Learning for the Semi-Automatic 3D Decay Segmentation and Mapping of Heritage Assets

ABSTRACT In Architectural Heritage (AH), diagnostics represent a key topic, related to the assessment of the state of conservation, for a well-structured and integrated knowledge about the artefact. This is of paramount importance for buildings denoted by historic-artistic interest, often in widespread damaged conditions. Digital technologies could represent a valuable alternative, for the creation, processing, and analysis of 2D images or reality-capture 3D data. Indeed, image processing and artificial intelligence are spreading in the AH domain, for both documentation and conservation purposes. The present research proposes a novel methodological approach, based on the application of machine learning systems, for the assessment and mapping of decay evidence in an ancient artefact, within the diagnostic process. An unsupervised hierarchical clustering of point clouds has been validated and compared against a state-of-the-art supervised random forest. The presented pipeline has been tested on a plurality of case studies, representative of the territorial historic built heritage, qualified by a great variety, in terms of age, building type, surface, and lighting conditions. For most of the classes, the cloud-based unsupervised approach consents to accomplish better performances.

Determinants of access to marine cultural heritage assets for poverty alleviation in the coastal communities of Kilwa and Bagamoyo in Tanzania

ABSTRACT The communities in the districts of Bagamoyo and Kilwa in Tanzania depend much on marine cultural heritage (MCH) assets for their economic well-being. This study aimed to establish factors that determined access to the MCH assets in Bagamoyo and Kilwa, and the way the communities benefited from them. Purposive sampling was used to get 161 respondents from four groups, including 24 local tour guides,76 fishermen, 22 singers-dancers and 39 crafters. Four village government leaders and one antiquity official were also involved in the study. The study collected data through interviews and a questionnaire. The findings of the study revealed that the groups did not benefit from the MCH assets because of using poor technology, insufficient financial support, inadequate training and little community participation in decision making. The article recommends that the stakeholders should initiate efforts that will enable the communities to benefit from the MCH assets for poverty alleviation purposes.

Geographic Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors for Industrial Heritage Sites in Italy Based on GIS

A comprehensive understanding of industrial legacy, considering its social, economic, and environmental aspects, is crucial for its preservation. This study scrutinizes 120 industrial heritage sites, investigating spatial–temporal patterns and influential factors. The aim is to provide a scientific basis for the conservation and management of the Italian industrial heritage. (1) The research underscores Italy’s industrial legacy’s tendency for clustering and uneven dispersion, prominently concentrated in the northern regions while notably sparse in the south. (2) Geographical advantages, a history of advanced industrialization, higher economic levels, greater population density, and supportive policies foster a concentration of industrial development and greater diversity of heritage types in the North. (3) The recommendations advocate for tailored conservation and management strategies tailored to the distinct characteristics of Italian industrial history. These strategies advocate for increased public involvement, reinforced legislative protection, and the promotion of tourism and cultural education to sustainably develop heritage assets. The findings and methodologies of this study can effectively identify the causes of the formation of the Italian industrial heritage, thereby offering a broader perspective to bolster its preservation and administration. It also provides a valuable reference for global industrial heritage preservation and management strategies.

The Influence of Visitors on Heritage Conservation: The Case of the Church of San Juan del Hospital, Valencia, Spain

One of the greatest challenges in heritage management is to find a balance between the demands of visitor access and heritage conservation. The income generated prevents decay and benefits the conservation of buildings. At the same time, cultural tourism can accelerate the deterioration of buildings from increased use and an increase in agents harmful to conservation. This unique research analyses the influence of building use at San Juan del Hospital, the oldest church in the city of Valencia. Its architectural characteristics and the climate of the city mean that visits to the building put the conservation of its heritage assets at risk. Monitoring data from the summer months were put into a digital twin generated from a heritage building information model (HBIM), and the modelling of visitor numbers and the impact on indoor environmental quality was conducted. Monitoring and simulations confirmed that visitor numbers need to be reduced or mechanical conditioning systems need to be installed to prevent damage to the heritage artefacts within the building. This research provides building managers with information to make informed decisions about the preventive maintenance of heritage buildings. This research also demonstrates for the first time the value of using monitoring and a digital twin for conservation management.

Considering Second World War Archaeological Heritage in France

The archaeology of the Second World War has existed since the 1980s in English-language research. However, the vestiges of this conflict were only officially included in French national heritage at the end of 2013. Only since 2014, the year of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, do preventive archaeology operations prescribe for World War II (WWII) sites. Public research programmes have also been set up to identify and characterise the heritage linked to the conflict, in particular the numerous remains of the Atlantic Wall on France's western seafront. During this decade, several archaeological operations have revealed the strong scientific potential attached to WWII sites throughout the country. At the same time, researchers from the National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) have drawn up a general research theme based on these remains which now form part of an international discussion framework. There are three main lines of research based on the typology of material traces from the conflict. The first of these is dedicated to battlefield remains, which are currently being used to compile an archaeology of military operations in Normandy. The second is the study of defensive structures (bunkers on the Atlantic Wall and passive defence constructions) that are also the subject of exciting discoveries in Normandy and other French regions. The third area of research addresses remains linked to internment and mass crimes. In particular, this concerns the search, currently underway, of the only Nazi concentration camp on French soil, the KL Natzweiler-Struthof. This houses the European Centre of Deported Resistance Members (CERD) and performs important research on other deportation or internment memorials (e.g. Drancy, Mont-Valérien) and on a series of prison camps across France. These sites, long threatened by soil and coastal erosion, development or the looting of militaria, are now crystallising as powerful heritage assets, even though the expression and sharing of this archaeological memory of World War II comes in response to high levels of national and international public expectation.

Research Methodology for the Documentation and Analysis Phase of Industrial Architectural Heritage Preservation: The Case of “Nueva Cerámica de Orio”

Notable shortcomings and difficulties can be identified along the cultural-heritage value chain that can result in missed opportunities with respect to vulnerable cultural and architectural heritage, especially in the case of industrial architectural heritage. Shortcomings have been observed in the early documentation stage, which constitutes the foundation for subsequent processes. The objective of this article is to respond to this issue by presenting a research methodology for the documentation and analysis phase and demonstrate its application to an industrial architectural complex: “Nueva Cerámica de Orio.” This article describes the detailed study of the existing documentation through cross-referencing data from various sources. The application of this methodology facilitated the establishment of a general understanding of the heritage asset and its characteristic, providing a solid base for the development of the value chain.

DEVELOPING ENHANCED AND ENRICHED 3D MODELS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSETS AS PART OF THE EU CO-FUNDED 5DCULTURE PROJECT

Abstract. 5Dculture is a 24-month collaborative project co-funded by the European Union. It includes twelve partners from diverse sectors of cultural heritage, including archaeology, museums and fashion. It aims to enrich the offer of European 3D digital cultural heritage assets in the data space and fosters their reuse in important domains such as education, tourism and the wider cultural and creative sectors towards socially and economically sustainable outcomes. In particular, the project will deliver high-quality 3D content by identifying and engaging existing datasets from partners’ collections focusing on topics of fashion, archaeology and architecture, all of which occupy a central place in the vast cultural heritage of Europe. It will also develop several reuse scenarios, which will experiment with the aforementioned assets in their complexity (from high-quality to derivatives).The Discovery Programme has a long research interest in 3D digital documentation and has participated in collaborative projects in the past, notably 3D-ICONS. However, opportunities and challenges in the reuse of 3D archaeological content exist, including the reuse of 3D content to enhance visitors experience at archaeological sites and the ability to exploit 3D surrogates for different sectors (tourism, education, gaming, the arts, conservation and heritage management).This paper will present the research that has been undertaken in this context, through the development of an enhanced processing pipeline to improve the quality of 3D models of cultural heritage assets, resulting in their improved re-use. It will present the approaches to improving model geometry, generating and applying enhanced textures, creating rich and functional metadata and strategies for persistence and archiving.A core component of our research has been the development of the processing pipeline to improve 3D model appearance through the application of parametric materials in the development of synthetic textures which artificially enhance the visualising of cultural heritage objects. Through the visual enhancements of 3D content improvements to the interpretation and aesthetic appearance of monuments and artefacts can be achieved, adding value to the original surveyed data. The paper will detail the processing pipeline, working from prime survey data in survey specific software, through 3D modelling techniques, and finally visualising and presentation approaches which enable increased accessibility and usability.The paper will conclude with a discussion of deliverables, particularly in the context of value to conservation. The Discovery Programme works together with many of the state agencies in Ireland on heritage and conservation projects, and it is the delivery of enhanced but practical outputs that their archaeologists and architects require. These include the Office of Public Works, National Monuments Service & the Heritage Council.

A HBIM pipeline for the conservation of large-scale architectural heritage: the city Walls of Pisa

In the architectural heritage field, a complete and in-depth knowledge of the assets is indispensable for any restoration and conservation strategy. In this context, the Historical Building Information Modelling (HBIM) technique is gaining much interest in supporting the diagnostic phase and the design and management of conservation activities. The HBIM provides opportunities to collect, organize and integrate information coming from different sources, inspections, and diagnosis techniques as well as to use standardized and effective tools for orienting cultural heritage asset management. This study addresses the challenges of developing HBIM for large-scale assets, that require adapting the conventional workflow to deliver results in a reasonable time. To this aim, a novel procedure involving a fit-for-purpose Inventory form and a scan-to-BIM approach is proposed. The data acquisition process is speeded up using multiple surveying techniques, and the modelling and information phases benefit from the interoperability among different tools that are already known by professionals in the field. As such, the main innovation lies in the ability to oversee the entire process through a single software, ensuring centralized and efficient control. This innovative process has been applied to investigate a significant portion of the city walls of Pisa, proving its ability to support the decision-making phase for planned conservation of large-scale architectural heritage. The emphasis is on the all-encompassing, interdisciplinary understanding of the assets across different scales. The suggested approach ensures a swift yet precise and reliable outcome in the diagnostic process and facilitating the critical temporal assessments and the review of information by any actor involved in the conservation.

Power dynamics in Australian public sector accounting reform: A Machiavellian interpretation

AbstractDuring the era of New Public Management from the 1970s to the 1990s, government accountability in Australia underwent a significant transformation from compliance to performance evaluation. This change underscores a Machiavellian interpretation presented in this paper, emphasizing the politicized and power‐driven nature of public sector accounting reforms. The Australian Government employed a commercial accounting model to legitimize these reforms, leveraging Machiavellian principles to strengthen political power. Despite the accounting profession's role in legitimizing public sector financial reporting, its control over Australian accounting standard setting diminished. The new public sector accountability framework allowed the shifting of blame to the profession when problems arose. An analysis of the New South Wales Government's journey through the reform, from embracing accrual accounting to rejecting heritage assets measurement and applauding fair value, illustrates the complex interplay between self‐interest and the protection of public interest. The Australian Government strategically enlisted the support of the outer fringe accounting profession and successfully instituted reforms premised on the principle of public accountability and liberty for Australian society. Once the reformer's goals were achieved, the facilitating elites found themselves marginalized from the bureaucratic group and power reclaimed deftly to the Government with CLERP reforms paving the way for the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards. This shift exemplifies Machiavelli's perspective, where liberty is used as a means to garner public support and ultimately attain power, a strategy that continues to hold validity in contemporary political contexts.