Management Of Heritage Sites Research Articles

Mapping the Knowledge Structure of Image Recognition in Cultural Heritage: A Scientometric Analysis Using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix

The application of image recognition techniques in the realm of cultural heritage represents a significant advancement in preservation and analysis. However, existing scholarship on this topic has largely concentrated on specific methodologies and narrow categories, leaving a notable gap in broader understanding. This study aims to address this deficiency through a thorough bibliometric analysis of the Web of Science (WoS) literature from 1995 to 2024, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches to elucidate the macro-level evolution of the field. Our analysis reveals that the integration of artificial intelligence, particularly deep learning, has significantly enhanced digital documentation, artifact identification, and overall cultural heritage management. Looking forward, it is imperative that research endeavors expand the application of these techniques into multidisciplinary domains, including ecological monitoring and social policy. Additionally, this paper examines non-invasive identification methods for material classification and damage detection, highlighting the role of advanced modeling in optimizing the management of heritage sites. The emergence of keywords such as ‘ecosystem services’, ‘models’, and ‘energy’ in the recent literature underscores a shift toward sustainable practices in cultural heritage conservation. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between heritage preservation and environmental sciences. The heightened awareness of environmental crises has, in turn, spurred the development of image recognition technologies tailored for cultural heritage applications. Prospective research in this field is anticipated to witness rapid advancements, particularly in real-time monitoring and community engagement, leading to the creation of more holistic tools for heritage conservation.

The Venice Charter – between protection and socially useful purpose.

The principles of the Venice Charter are still invoked worldwide as a crucial reference point in discussions and practices related to heritage preservation. However, the Charter’s lack of clarity in defining stakeholders and procedural steps raises significant issues about who has the authority to determine the appropriateness of new functions for monuments. This deficiency can lead to decision-making that might not fully consider the diverse cultural values and historical significance of the sites, potentially resulting in conservation outcomes that are more economically than socially driven. This paper examines how national and international conservation policies have expanded upon the Venice Charter to address social participation and the concept of "socially useful purposes" in World Heritage site management. Focusing on Germany and Poland World Heritage cities, the study explores how national and international guidelines have expanded upon the Venice Charter to incorporate social participation and the concept of "socially useful purposes" in the management of World Heritage sites. It delves into the role of Site Management Plans as dynamic documents that have evolved from strict preservation frameworks to policies encompassing social participation, thereby enhancing community engagement and meeting a broader spectrum of conservation needs and stakeholder interests.

Analyzing spatial technology trends in urban heritage preservation: A bibliometrics study

This study addresses the notable absence of comprehensive syntheses and bibliometric analyses concerning the utilization of spatial technology within urban heritage preservation contexts. The research aims to elucidate the current status, methodologies, advancements, and future trajectories of spatial technology applications in urban heritage preservation. Employing a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis, the study examines pertinent 157 literature through Scopus, categorizes research applications, analyzes bibliometric data, evaluates influence rankings across multiple dimensions, identifies historical trends, and outlines prospective directions. The study findings unveil the evolving characteristics of spatial technology applications. Firstly, it reveals a gradual development trend, with spatial technologies experiencing an annual growth rate of 7.7% between 2010 and 2020. Nevertheless, a significant disparity persists, with more than 63.2% of countries still fully integrating spatial technology on-site at heritage sites. Furthermore, the study highlights varied collaboration levels between research institutions, with limited international cooperation and exchange, particularly evident between developed and developing nations. Lastly, the increasing demand for interdisciplinary research signals a shift towards fostering innovative approaches and solutions in heritage site preservation and management.

Resident well-being and perceptions of World Heritage Site management: divide between urban and rural WHSs

ABSTRACT This comparative case study focuses on residents’ subjective well-being (SWB) and their perceptions of conservation and tourism in two prominent World Heritage Sites (WHSs) in Turkey, i.e. (rural) Cappadocia and (urban) Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula, to evaluate them in tandem with their governance frameworks. A modified SWB survey instrument is administered to residents in both WHSs. The most notable differences in SWB surface in community, environment, and standard of living domains favouring Cappadocia – underlining tourism’s varied influence on SWB domains in rural and urban settings. While the perceived association between conservation and tourism is stronger in Cappadocia, Istanbul’s residents view conservation more positively. These differences point towards conservation’s perceived instrumental role in facilitating tourism development in rural WHSs and the disconnection of urban WHS residents from conservation efforts and tourism management. Our findings suggest SWB may complement tourism impact analysis and build a bridge between residents, policymakers, and administrators. Addressing the disconnection between residents and tourism and conservation-related frameworks and initiatives to increase resident awareness of heritage value are suggested as potential contributors to the long-term viability of WHSs as heritage tourism destinations.

Preventive conservation – a means of sustainability of cultural heritage: The case of the M’Zab Valley

Abstract The management of heritage sites is fundamental to their conservation and sustainability, and more broadly, it contributes to the preservation of the environment. This article highlights the conservation plan developed for one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Algerian context: the M’Zab Valley in Ghardaïa. It has managed to preserve its specific character over the centuries thanks to the management operations that have been necessary for its continuity. The main question of this study is what are the management actions adopted in the M’Zab Valley with regard to the Ksourian architectural heritage to ensure its sustainability? Given the exploratory nature of this research, we chose a qualitative and inductive method. The study is based on a combination of several investigative tools: interviews, observations and photographs. The aim of the article is to highlight the efforts made by the Algerian public authorities and the local community to implement cultural heritage management measures in a particular context. The results of the analysis reveal, first, that the implementation of the permanent plan for the safeguarding and enhancement of the protected sector of the M’Zab Valley has proven itself in the preservation of monuments, sites and historic buildings, but also all the contexts associated with the daily life of people. Second, the rehabilitation operations of the historic ksour shall ensure the authenticity of the buildings and their integrity with the environment will be kept while adapting them to the current needs of users. Third, the combination of efforts between public institutions, the Office for the Protection and Promotion of the Valley of M’Zab, the local community and associations avoided the weakening of traditions and ancestral values through awareness missions, heritage education programmes, the application of heritage laws and regulations, and scientific and historical documentation of local heritage. Finally, the involvement of the local community in all operations on their local heritage ensures the transfer of local knowledge.

Research on the Supply-side Reform Path in the Management of Chinese Cultural Heritage Sites

Research on the Supply-side Reform Path in the Management of Chinese Cultural Heritage Sites

Spatiotemporal changes and driving factors of ecosystem services between karst and non-karst World Heritage sites in Southwest China

Understanding the spatiotemporal variation and drivers of ecosystem services is fundamental to optimal management and sustainable development of World Heritage (WH) sites. Although WH sites face multiple natural and anthropogenic threats, our understanding of their ecosystem services is still limited, especially for karst WH sites. In this study, we assessed habitat quality (HQ), carbon storage (CS), soil retention (SR), water conservation (WC), and the combined ecosystem service (CES) of karst and non-karst WH sites in Southwest China from 2000 to 2020 using the InVEST model. We also assessed trade-offs/synergies among ecosystem services using the spatial overlay method, and identified driving factors of variation in ecosystem services using geographical detector and structural equation models. The results showed that ecosystem services of the WH sites exhibited high spatiotemporal variation. In particular, there were higher values in the property zone than in the buffer zone, and an increasing trend in SR but a decreasing trend in HQ and CES over time. Compared to non-karst sites, karst WH sites had significantly lower values of HQ, CS, SR, and CES, but higher spatial heterogeneity in CS, WC, and CES. Weak trade-offs among ecosystem services dominated the WH sites, with the proportion of weak synergies increasing over time. Compared to non-karst sites, karst WH sites had a significantly lower proportion of strong synergies and a significantly higher proportion of weak synergies. The provision of ecosystem services was primarily influenced by natural factors (e.g., landscape division index and normalized difference vegetation index), followed by anthropogenic factors (e.g., distance from road and population density). Overall, these findings may have important implications for decision-making aimed at protecting the outstanding universal value, authenticity, and integrity of WH with different attributes.

ARM4CH: A Methodology for Autonomous Reality Modelling for Cultural Heritage.

Nowadays, the use of advanced sensors, such as terrestrial, mobile 3D scanners and photogrammetric imaging, has become the prevalent practice for 3D Reality Modeling (RM) and the digitization of large-scale monuments of Cultural Heritage (CH). In practice, this process is heavily related to the expertise of the surveying team handling the laborious planning and time-consuming execution of the 3D scanning process tailored to each site's specific requirements and constraints. To minimize human intervention, this paper proposes a novel methodology for autonomous 3D Reality Modeling of CH monuments by employing autonomous robotic agents equipped with the appropriate sensors. These autonomous robotic agents are able to carry out the 3D RM process in a systematic, repeatable, and accurate approach. The outcomes of this automated process may also find applications in digital twin platforms, facilitating secure monitoring and the management of cultural heritage sites and spaces, in both indoor and outdoor environments. The main purpose of this paper is the initial release of an Industry 4.0-based methodology for reality modeling and the survey of cultural spaces in the scientific community, which will be evaluated in real-life scenarios in future research.

Unbalanced or Absent: Assessing Indigenous Representation in Interpretive Materials at Government Administered Heritage Sites in Cascadia and Hawai‘i

ABSTRACT Unbalanced or absent Indigenous representation in interpretive materials at government administered heritage sites in settler-colonial contexts can create contention and perpetuate a misinformed or one-dimensional visitor experience and historical narrative. This research therefore examines representation in interpretive materials accessible in 2019 at heritage sites with Indigenous ancestral connections in settler-colonial contexts. This study uses 10 U.S. case study heritage sites and two supplementary sites in Washington, Idaho, and Hawai‘i. Researchers utilized participant observation and systematic photography during two 2019 research phases to document interpretive materials. Quantification generated 731 analytic units which were subsequently assessed for the presence of inductively and deductively generated codes. The assembled empirical results illustrate three overarching themes: (1) controlled historical narrative; (2) absence of shared authority; and (3) challenges in representing and/or integrating different ways of knowing. This research contributes to heritage studies and practical heritage site management in two ways: (1) offering a timely multi-sited and multicultural sample of settler-colonial heritage site interpretive materials comparable to other sites; and (2) illustrating empirical trends in interpretive materials that privilege settlers over Indigenous peoples. This research suggests that future interpretation could benefit from a more balanced multivocal approach that recognizes ancestral and contemporary Indigenous homelands and the complexity of Indigenous-settler interactions.

Extending X-reality technologies to digital twin in cultural heritage risk management: a comparative evaluation from the perspective of situation awareness

DT systems, characterized by real-time capabilities, high precision, and high integration, have become essential in various domains. In the context of cultural heritage, a DT system encompasses comprehensive information about heritage sites, contextual data, and expert knowledge, forming a complex dynamic system. The substantial volume of information and diverse sources significantly increases the cognitive load for management personnel in understanding on-site situations. This study, from the perspective of situational awareness, introduces X-reality technologies (VR and AR) into DT systems for cultural heritage risk management. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of different X-reality technologies in cultural heritage risk perception and their impact mechanisms. A total of 184 participants were divided into two groups and experienced three different applications (2D desktop, VR, and AR). Using situational awareness rating techniques, participants' responses were measured across three dimensions: attention resource demand, attention resource supply, and understanding of the situation. SEM was employed to estimate the stability of the scale data. The results indicate that, compared to traditional 2D desktops, both VR and AR demonstrate advantages in enhancing heritage risk situational awareness. However, in AR mode, no significant advantages were found in the dimensions of attention resource demand and attention resource supply compared to traditional 2D desktop applications. Furthermore, a significant difference in immersion between VR and AR was found to affect the attention resource demand dimension. Although the results suggest differences in the interactivity of VR and AR in affecting the attention resource demand dimension, no significant differences were found. By comprehensively understanding the functional mechanisms of X-reality technologies in influencing cultural heritage risk situational awareness, this study provides design references for constructing DT systems for cultural heritage risk management. Additionally, it offers insights for heritage site managers, experts, and stakeholders to enhance risk perception efficiency, promoting more effective risk assessment, analysis, and strategic decision-making, thereby reducing damage to cultural heritage.

A modified geographical weighted regression model for better flood risk assessment and management of immovable cultural heritage sites at large spatial scales

With the increase in extreme climatic events globally in recent years, the increased frequency of flood hazards has had a great impact on immovable cultural heritage sites (ICHs) due to their prolonged exposure to the disaster environment. This poses a risk management challenge, especially on large scales. Most existing flood risk assessment models for ICHs are determined using common natural hazard methods directly and focus less on the characteristics of ICHs. In this paper, we propose a modified geographical weighted regression (MGWR) model to assess flood risk at ICHs, and this model considers the spatial and age properties of the ICHs. These two properties were used for the construction of the weight matrix in the MGWR model. Eleven selected indices and loss survey data with 417 sample points, including 5 types of ICHs, were utilized for model training and testing in Shanxi Province, China. The results showed that the MGWR model had good accuracy with an R2 of 0.928. A comparison between the MGWR and normal GWR models indicated that the accuracies of the older ICHs improved more in the MGWR than in the GWR. We also found that the proposed model performed better than the normal GWR model using age as an index. Moreover, in comparison with three machine learning methods (decision tree, logistic regression, and random forest), the MGWR model still performed better and was less limited by the number of training samples. This paper provides evidence that the characteristics of ICHs are crucial in the construction of flood risk assessment models, and the proposed model can benefit the risk management of various types of ICHs at large spatial scales.

Borobudur as priority tourism destination: how political economy affects world cultural heritage site management and heritage preservation

Borobudur as priority tourism destination: how political economy affects world cultural heritage site management and heritage preservation

UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE AS A TOOL FOR IMPLEMENTING THE GLOBAL GOALS OF UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The article analyses new approaches to respond to the challenges set out in the United Nations 2030 Agenda. The subject is relevant because seventeen Sustainable Development Goals are defined, which are a universal call to action for humanity to reduce poverty, overcome hunger, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all people live in peace and prosperity. According to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001),sites that fall under its protection include archaeological remains of ships, historic structures, submerged landscapes, sunken cities, and ancient fishing structures. Such sites must have been underwater for at least 100 years. They must also be partially or completely, periodically or permanently submerged in the waters of the ocean, sea, lake or river. On the basis of analyzing the studies of foreign and domestic scientists, the author found out that with responsible use and management of underwater cultural heritage sites, it is possible to achieve effective methods of conservation and sustainable economic development of humanity. This is possible by increasing and accumulating knowledge of the oceans. In particular, stone tidal weirs, which are underwater cultural heritage sites, were investigated. Using these ancient structures for fishing today could be an effective solution to the problem of hunger. The study found that protecting underwater cultural heritage sites and the areas in which they are located ensures the conservation of marine resources. And this is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. The relationship between the protection of heritage sites and the prosperity of marine ecosystems helps to create livelihoods for local communities through dive tourism. Organizing underwater tourism at historic shipwreck sites can create new jobs. And this will lead to an increase in the welfare of the population. Quality management and responsible use of underwater heritage sites will lead to increased tourist flows. And this will contribute to the sustainable development of cities and communities. Thus, underwater cultural heritage is characterized by the integrity of cultural, natural, archaeological, tangible and intangible heritage. Such knowledge can be applied to solve the problems of our time. This makes heritage an important tool for achieving certain objectives of the Global Programme for Sustainable Development as defined in the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

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

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.

Sustainable Water Governance in the Brazilian Pantanal Biome: Challenges and Lessons

Problems caused by land-use change and climate change transcend territorial boundaries, but often management of natural heritage sites can only influence what happens within the local area. Therefore, we need innovative conservation strategies that also transcend territorial boundaries. Hence, the approach to managing our natural heritage sites may need innovative strategies to ensure their effective conservation. This study examines the conservation approach in the Pantanal biome, which houses multiple centers of decision-making across Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Despite the region’s significant contribution in providing ecosystem services and playing an integral part in local cultural heritage and Native communities, Pantanal has suffered from a lack of clear rules and strategies, challenges in implementation, and, largely, capacity and coordination across different governance scales. This contribution synthesizes key challenges and potential opportunities through co-production and information sharing to ensure a socio-ecological approach to promoting the conservation and resilience of the Pantanal biome.

Tourism Policies and Performance of Nigerian Heritage Sites

Background: Tourism policies have a significant impact on the preservation, promotion, and overall performance of heritage sites for both domestic and international tourists. This review provides insights into the entities responsible for tourism policy formulation, the policy objective, and how the stated objectives are being realized while shedding light on their implications for sustainability, economic growth, and cultural preservation. The main objective of Nigeria's tourism policy is to protect and improve the nation's natural and cultural heritage. Many activities aimed at encouraging tourism development include planning, provision of infrastructure, taxation regime that supports tourism growth, education and training for tourism employees, marketing, legislation and regulation in order to protect and preserve tourist facilities as well as the country's natural resources, historical and cultural assets. The critical concern is the enforcement and effectiveness of regulations, specifically the probability of a policy successfully promoting sustainable and viable tourism development and management. Aims: This paper therefore investigates the influence of tourism policies on the performance of heritage sites in Nigeria and the need for policy review for improved performance of Nigerian heritage sites. Methodology: The qualitative research paradigm emerged from a comprehensive review of tourism policy literature in Nigeria. The examination of documents and research projects focused on various aspects of tourism policy planning and governance, policy formulation, policy objectives, and their implications for sustainability, economic growth, and natural/cultural heritage preservation. In the data analysis, the comprehensive review were presented with an interpretative narrative. Results: The findings revealed that Nigeria's tourism policy seeks to empower the tourism industry and position it as a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and cultural heritage preservation. However, the policy's ability to achieve its goals optimally has been significantly hampered by lack of relevant mechanisms to measure overall levels of compliance, overreliance on petroleum resources, poor planning, and inadequate participation of relevant stakeholders in policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring. Conclusion: Despite policies and frameworks, Nigeria's tourism sector, including cultural heritage sites, has failed to reach its goals, losing the economy numerous potential benefits. In order to address the current circumstances and ensure successful heritage site design, development, and management in Nigeria, there is an urgent need for revision of the country’s tourism policy objectives and adequate enforcement measures implemented to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities.

Differences in Heritage Tourism Experience between VR and AR: A Comparative Experimental Study Based on Presence and Authenticity

This study developed two distinct types of remote heritage virtual tourism programs, namely VR and AR. We utilized the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model to understand how users’ perceptions of vividness and interactivity in VR and AR influence their sense of presence and perceived authenticity. Furthermore, we explored how the sense of presence and perceived authenticity further impact tourists’ responses, including satisfaction and behavioral intention. The findings indicate differences between VR and AR in several aspects. To elaborate, in the context of VR, vividness significantly influences perceived authenticity, an effect not found within the AR setting. Furthermore, interactivity impacts the sense of presence in AR, but this is not the case in VR. Within an AR setting, a user's sense of presence directly influences their level of satisfaction, yet no corresponding impact was found in VR. Even though the results show varying influences of presence on user intention in VR and AR, no significant differences were discovered. By gaining an in-depth understanding of tourists’ actual perceptions of VR and AR applications, this study provides insights for heritage site managers on how to employ VR and AR to enhance the efficiency of virtual heritage experiences for tourists.

A Range of Pandemic Adjustments: Changes to Texas Heritage Site Business Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, heritage sites, which protect natural and cultural resources, experienced the dauting task of sustaining business operations during the pandemic while serving the public by preserving and conserving resources. These businesses undertook risk reduction measures, conceptualized as adjustments, to mitigate the spread of disease while maintaining business operations. By engaging with Gilbert White’s (1942) Adjustment Theory, this study examines the adjustments made by Texas heritage sites in response to emerging risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we analyze adjustments made to reduce risk to visitors, financial stability, and programmatic offerings; explore the extent to which these adjustments facilitated sustainability, business expansion, and innovation; and identify what factors contributed to or hindered their recovery. This mixed-methods study employed an online survey and a follow-up semi-structured phone interview with heritage site managers. Our findings indicate Texas heritage sites implemented a range of fiscal and health related adjustments in response to the pandemic. Specific to fiscal adjustments, we found changes in visitors led to adjustments in business operations which also facilitated revenue generation for these entities. We also observed how new opportunities arose from the health adjustments in the form of remote offerings and new markets. Our findings emphasize the importance of adjustments made by heritage sites to continue their operations during the pandemic while also offering strategies to mitigate future risks.

HBIM AND EXTENDED REALITY FOR CULTURAL MEDIATION OF HISTORICAL HERITAGE: A REVIEW

Abstract. In the realm of Cultural Heritage, emergent technologies such as HBIM (Historical Building Information Modeling) and Extended Reality (XR) are becoming instrumental in creating immersive Virtual Heritage experiences. A review of relevant literature indicates that these technologies have been utilized to build 3D HBIM models and highlight them on immersive platforms for purposes of cultural dissemination and promotion. Technological progress now accommodates the assimilation of historical data via HBIM methodology, which opens avenues for novel communication forms and the distribution of information through extended reality techniques. This, in turn, ensures cultural mediation and heritage site promotion. This study aims to present a comprehensive survey of research surrounding the application of HBIM in heritage site preservation and management. Moreover, this paper intends to provide an overview of the concepts and the role of XR within HBIM, in supporting the cultural mediation and promotion of historical heritage. This research further delineates a pathway for future endeavours concerning the integration of XR technologies within the policies of architectural and built heritage conservation and assessment.