Local Places Research Articles

Archaeological Tourism, World Heritage and Social Value: A Comparative Study in China

ABSTRACT This article investigates the relationship between archaeological tourism, UNESCO World Heritage designation, and the social value attached to archaeological sites in China. It aims to provide novel insights into such connections by examining the impact of archaeological tourism on the social values that local communities place on archaeological sites that are in the process of becoming World Heritage Sites. In recent decades, the increasing commercialization of archaeological sites for tourism, combined with the growing influence of the World Heritage listing process, has had a significant impact on the lives of communities in close proximity to archaeological sites. One way to comprehend such an effect is to examine changes in the social values assigned to those sites by their local residents. This is due to the ability of tourism development to (re)create and modify such values attributed to archaeological sites by changing their function, capacity, quality, and meaning. The World Heritage listing process, particularly during the pre-nomination period, plays an important role in shaping the tourist transformation of these sites in preparation for World Heritage inscription. Against this backdrop, this article focuses on two archaeological sites that have recently obtained the World Heritage status: the Daming Palace archaeological site and the Huashan rock art area. By applying ethnographic approaches, the article illustrates the complex influence of tourism development and the World Heritage Convention on contemporary Chinese society, in order to encourage further reflection on the existing management and development mechanisms of archaeological sites in China and around the world.

Vernacular Architecture: Exploring the Architectural Characteristics and Changes in Traditional Settlements of Rana Tharu from Far Western Nepal

Vernacular architecture and settlements are considered culturally meaningful, socially acceptable, locally harmonized, and ecologically sustainable. The traditional buildings seem to be more connected to the local places, environment, culture, indigenous technology and people. However, with the development of new technologies along with increase in population, replacement of these vernacular buildings and settlements has become a regular phenomenon in many of the nations including Nepal. In this regard, considering the case of vernacular buildings and settlements of Rana Tharu from far western region, this paper aims to (i) examine the characteristics of settlement pattern, house form, construction technology, materials and spaces in Rana Tharu settlements; and (ii) identify the changes and crucial factors behind the acceleration of such changes. The paper applies a qualitative approach through explanatory qualitative analysis for exploring the transformation in architectural style, settlement patterns, house forms, construction techniques, use of spaces, and community livelihoods in the Rana Tharu settlements. Field observations, key informant's interviews and informal discussion with locals were carried out. This research contributes in understanding the factors causing changes in traditional Rana Tharu buildings and settlement, and also highlights on significance of vernacular architecture and settlements.

The politics of heritage and place-making in Tanmen, China

Heritage is both embroiled in, and constituted by, complex, intertwined and contradictory processes. Using ethnographic research, the paper illustrates how heritage-making driven by the Authorised Heritage Discourse (AHD) intersects with socio-spatial and economic processes of place-making in China. The findings reveal the complex, entangled relationship between heritage and place in which elite and non-elite groups participate and interact. Local heritage of Tanmen is active, power-laden and intersects with political, social and economic affairs and expectations, not least to support Chinese sovereignty claims over the South China Sea. This analysis reveals the interplay in Chinese top-down and bottom-up heritage-making processes, in which elite groups tend to dominate by means of ICH policies and local residents tend to internalise the AHD in an attempt to reap benefits or reputation from it. The paper argues that there is a mutually reinforcing relationship between the nation-state and the local in the heritagisation process of local heritage, that works to add a scenario to the multifaceted relationship between places at different scales in heritage literature. Politically charged heritage-making processes, including re-narrativisation, commercialisation and reworking memories, are explored in terms of their impact and intersection with the local place regarding issues of identity, memory, economy and the street landscape. Overall, this paper provides a case study that seeks to understand a specific version of the AHD that reflects Chinese policies, ideologies and aspirations. It aims to reveal the intersection of heritage-making with place-making, to help comprehend the complex, intwined concepts of heritage, power and place in a non-Western society.

The eel connection: Developing urban adolescents’ sense of place through outdoor interactions with a local organism

In response to growing concern about the increased disconnect between youth and their outdoor environment, this study examines how nature-based citizen science experiences with a local animal (American eels) influence urban adolescents’ (high-school students) sense of place in a US city. The juvenile American eel is a unique animal due to its see-through body, small size, lengthy migratory pathway, high periodic population density, and conservation concern. Interview, written, and observational data were collected through a case study of ten high-school students during a citizen science project that lasted three months. Analyses of these data indicate that students developed greater ­ecological place meaning and place attachment. Students developed greater ecological place meaning by learning more about the ecology of the river and the eels, and developed greater place attachment by developing pride and empathy. Based on these findings, we argue that nature-based citizen science programs can help environmental educators in the US foster more equitable access to nature by providing urban youth with much-needed opportunities to deeply experience local places and develop a closer and more meaningful relationship with their local environment.

Development of shear deformation in lath martensite of medium alloy steels under tension

Evolution of shear deformation in steel with the structure of tempered martensite was studied under active tension. Purpose of the work was to identify the patterns of deformation development at the scale-structural levels: package, plate, fragment of a package and a lath. The authors investigated the deformation relief formed at different stages of plastic deformation by optical, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Quantitative characteristics of the deformation relief were measured: shear strength (P), distance (X) between the shear traces and their length. Statistical processing was carried out, the average values and relationship with the degree of plastic deformation were determined. It was established that development of shear deformation in the lath component of martensite occurs with the formation of two subsystems of shear traces: thin and coarse. Subsystems of thin traces are formed from the very beginning of plastic deformation. Appearance and evolution of the subsystem of coarse traces correlates with formation of the first (long) neck in the sample, and it is the main mechanism leading to the localization of plastic deformation on the sample scale. The places of localization of rough shift are the border areas of the laths and fragments of the package. Connection between localization of subsystems of coarse shear traces and formation of a fragmented dislocation structure were revealed. The values of the average shear power in thin <Pf> and coarse <Ps> traces do not depend on the degree of local plastic deformation of the sample in the entire range of deformation degrees and remain constant until destruction (<Pf> = 0.1 μm and <Ps> = 0.3 μm).

Making Landscapes, Building Communities. A Journey along the Kopais Corridor in Boiotia

Summary This article explores how the narrow passageway along the southern shores of Lake Kopais evolved into a sacred landscape that provided space for the building of a political community among the inhabitants of ‘two Boiotias’. The Kopais corridor was a highway for the movement of people and ideas since the Late Bronze Age. Its high frequency of cult sites offered ample opportunity for the nourishing of sentiments of togetherness. The first section of this article surveys the key determinants in the relations between the two major cities on either end of the corridor, Orchomenos and Thebes, prior to the creation of their first federal union. This lays the groundwork for the second step of the analysis, when the article examines the local environment of the Kopais corridor. Revisiting its cult sites, the discussion delves into the experience of local place – each one distinct and with its own sacred aura, but lined up along a path and linked with other places. In conclusion, the findings are put in the wider context of storied environments and sacred landscapes in the Archaic Age. It will be argued that the union of the Boiotians was subject to the dynamics of sacred landscape making in the Kopais corridor, a dynamic that allowed the ethnos to relate to a space critical to its origins.

Spatial Adverbs in Laz

Laz spatial adverbs are notional lexical items making up rather numerous and semantically diverse groups. They play a significant role in linguistic representation of spatial structures determining in which circumstances and with what features an action, conveyed by a verb, proceeds. They are satellites outside a verb stem; in sentences, they occur as adverbial modifiers and convey space-related information: direction of movement and place of localization of bodies. The function of an adverb is to establish: location of a figure when it is immobile, beginning of action, point of departure, orientation towards the final point of motion, either to determine a target point or convey terminativity, approaching that point . In Laz, adverbs occur as three different patterns:  Simple, that is, primary, basic patterns; Derived - patterns formed by means of case markers, particles, postpositions, preverbs and other affixes; Compound – by means of various types of reduplication. Formal structures of adverbs reflect their semantic structures; for instance, derived adverbs are sequences of functional elements, being associated with representation diverse structures of semantic components: direction and area, localization, starting, target and terminal points, arrangement of objects in an area, topology of place, widening-narrowing of an area, visualization, reference-orientation.

Post cryosurgical rehabilitation of ear chondroma. Case from practice

A typical place of localization of chondroma is the cartilaginous tissue of the auricle, which rarely develops and most often in people at a young age. Existing treatment methods are effective and widespread, however, any injury to the tumor accelerates its growth. Therefore, significant development of chondromas is observed after a trial excision or incomplete removal. Cryosurgical treatment refers to gentle, less traumatic methods. Тhe authors describe a case from practice: removal of the chondroma of the outer ear using a СAO-2 cryoapparatus with an individual polyethylene cap, which allows for accelerating and simplifying the process of thawing and re of the instrument. This intervention is outpatient and does not require special preparation. Taking into account the undesirable complications after cryotherapy (swelling, pain due to increased tissue turgor, local deterioration of blood circulation) on the one hand, and taking into account the antitoxic, calming, relaxing, and analgesic effect of magnesium on the body as a whole, the authors used balneotherapy in the form of a course of applications with a natural balneological agent with a high content of magnesium chloride on the zone of cryotherapy, as well as its drinking course consumption. The observation showed that the intervention using a cryoapplicator is a gentle method, slightly damaging the surrounding tissues, minimizing the possibility of intraoperative bleeding, allowing to accelerate the operation process and healing time, and, accordingly, reducing the patient's incapacity for work. Applying the results in clinical practice will significantly reduce the likelihood of deformation of the outer ear and maintain its primary functions.

Analyzing Tea Tourism Products and Experiences From India and Turkey

Tea is considered an important symbol of expression of socio-cultural heritage, community bonding, ethnicities, and customs to strengthen local place identity. Tea tourism offers an engaging and enduring gastronomic experience due to the active participation of tourists. This study aims to identify the key destination tea tourism products or experiences. This study uses a qualitative research approach to identify the prime tea tourism products and experiences from two important tea-growing nations, i.e., India and Turkey, ranked second and fifth in global tea production, respectively. The research findings present four main categories: facilities, activities, tours, training, Observation, and twenty-five sub-categories relating to tea tourism products and experiences. This study also strives to discover the contribution of tea tourism products or experiences in the tours conducted by Indian and Turkey travel agencies. This study is one of the first studies to examine the selected elements of tea tourism at the destination. The results will contribute to several theoretical and practical implications concerning tea tourism in tea-producing countries. The study will also offer essential insights into how travel agencies may use tea tourism products and experiences efficiently in packaging their tours.

Can southern Europe lead an urban energy transition? Insights from the Energy Transition Roundtable in Valencia, Spain

Multi-stakeholder engagement spaces are important instruments for transition governance. Due to their nature they require acute consciousness of the local context and place they are based in. The research presented in this paper adds to the body of literature on how to govern the energy transition at a local level, and contributes to filling the gap on the role of multi-stakeholder engagement groups in the energy transition process within a southern European context. Empirical evidence is drawn from the city of Valencia, Spain, where innovative formulas are being developed. One such innovation, the Mesa de Transición Energética (MTE – Energy Round Table), emerges as a multi-stakeholder, participatory and inclusive mechanism to define the roadmap towards achieving the energy transition and urban sustainability. This new experience in the city led to the discovery and exploration of the challenges, barriers, benefits and opportunities the city had to face, as well as clarifying how such multi-stakeholder engagement spaces can facilitate the energy transition path. The research evidenced that while participants and organizers were very satisfied with the development of the stakeholder group and the resulting demonstration projects used to enhance experimentation in the city, they signaled various difficulties. Such difficulties were rooted in the context and included dealing with an uneven vision of the transition, the vulnerability of the group due to the predominant role of the local administration, and a perceived lack of action. Nevertheless, the multi-stakeholder engagement space for the energy transition in Valencia can be seen as an important driver of change for the city. It can also be seen as an experimental model to be replicated in other Spanish or southern European cities.

Bacterial Meningitis, Streptococcus Suis Isolate: A Case Series (P1-10.007)

<h3>Objective:</h3> NA <h3>Background:</h3> Streptococcus Suis is an avoidable infection in humans with exposure/contact of contaminated pigs/pig products causing meningitis and septicemia; loss of hearing is a more frequent complication (Gill, C.O. et al). We present here 2 cases of bacterial meningitis from streptococcus suis infection. A 57-year old male with fever, biparieto-occipital headache, non-rotatory dizziness, vomiting, left ear hearing loss, and decreasing sensorium. He recently ate at a local Samgyupsal place. He was febrile, drowsy, disoriented, had left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and signs of meningeal irritation. On brain MRI, splenium restricted diffusion with bilateral frontal flair hyperintensity without enhancement seen. Blood culture showed streptococcus suis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was turbid, leukocyte 60 cells/uL, elevated protein and glucose, other CSF studies were unremarkable. He was started on Penicilin G and steroid therapy. A 51-year old female with fever, bi-parietal headache, non-rotatory dizziness, vomiting, hearing loss, and signs of meningeal irritation. She recently ate at a local Samgyupsal place. She was febrile, awake, had right ear sensorineural hearing loss, and signs of meningeal irritation. On brain MRI, there was bilateral cerebral sulci and cerebellar interfoliar spaces diffuse flair hyperintensities with ventral brainstem and leptomeningeal enhancement. CSF was clear with leukocyte 16 cells/uL, elevated protein, and low glucose. Blood and CSF culture showed streptococcus suis; other CSF studies were unremarkable. The patient was started on Penicilin G and steroid therapy. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> NA <h3>Results:</h3> NA <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Streptococcus suis in humans is acquired from occupational or household exposure to contaminated pigs/pig meat (Huang, Y.T. et al). It is recognized that suboptimal pork preparation/consumption may increase the risk of acquiring this disease, as our cases above. The treatment principles in bacterial meningitis are mostly the same regardless of the isolate. The treatment with steroids is still controversial however there are studies that show improvement in the patient’s hearing and dizziness. <b>Disclosure:</b> Ms. Abbot has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ng has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Unilab. Dr. Ng has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Menarini. Dr. Ng has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Torrent Pharma. Samantha Anne Gutierrez has nothing to disclose.

Geographies of COVID‐19

Geographies of COVID‐19

A Companion to Early Modern Istanbul

A Companion to Early Modern Istanbul

A Review and Comparative Analysis of IWCM Concepts in Australia and Similar Jurisdictions

Interpretations of integrated water cycle management (IWCM) differ across jurisdictions. This paper discusses 10 interpretations of the IWCM concept globally, in Australia and in jurisdictions similar to Australia. Five interpretations of many IWCM versions in Australia are reviewed. This strategic concept aims to address the internal challenges of managing water demand and supply, achieving appropriate disposal and/or wastewater recycling for re-use and distribution networks and providing services at an affordable rate, per changing community needs. The IWCM concept is also recognised as a resource planning tool to address external challenges, such as the uncertainties of climate change, the circular economy and resilience. All 10 IWCM concepts reviewed in this paper acknowledge governance and stakeholders to be of primary importance: governance to drive the conceptual interpretation and stakeholders to develop, drive, implement and promote IWCM as adept at addressing local challenges. The two global interpretations place primary importance on governance, stakeholder engagement and natural resource management, whereas the local interpretations place equally high importance on water critical infrastructure and water economy. Technology, which is changing at an unprecedented pace, is considered, but not as an immediate or primary challenge. These differences are mainly attributed to the organisations’ responsibilities and constraints, which drive IWCM concept design.

Rethinking Interpretation to Support Sustainable Tourist Experiences in Protected Natural Areas

Interpretation in protected natural areas can minimize visitors’ negative environmental impacts and encourage them to adopt sustainable practices at and beyond tourist sites. Despite this, interpretation has typically focussed on showcasing the specific features of natural areas rather than using these features as a resource for sustainability education more broadly. We argue that designing effective interpretation for complex issues such as sustainability is challenging and that new approaches may be needed. This paper reports on a front-end evaluation study that used online archival analysis and participant observation to assess the viability of an interpretive approach that requires no additional site hardening, is widely accessible, and focuses on fungi as a topic that can be easily connected to sustainability action beyond the site. Guidelines for developing effective interpretation in natural areas and practical implications of using this approach to link local places to global sustainability are also discussed.

Containing Contagion in a Garrison State

Containing Contagion in a Garrison State

전시컨벤션센터가 지역주민의 장소애착심과 공동체의식에 미치는 영향 연구 - 킨텍스(KINTEX)를 중심으로

The purpose of this study is to investigate the significant effects of local residents' place attachment and sense of community subject to exhibition and convention centers, with the focus on the relationship between the convention and exhibition center and the local residents, which is the foundation of its industry. In addition, this study is to find out the place meaning of the convention and exhibition center and to suggest that there is a strong connection between local residents and local community. With this point of view, the theory and measurement scale of the place affection which has been actively studied in the field of environmental psychology was applied to the convention and exhibition field. The place meaning in the convention and exhibition center was analyzed, and in addition, the relationship between sense of community was identified and the direction of the role of the convention and exhibition center to the local residents and community is proposed. This study used a total of 289 valid samples of surveys responded by the local residents over 20 years of old and above, living in west-Ilsan and east-Ilsan centering ‘KINTEX’ which is located in Goyang city in Gyeonggi province. As a result of structural equation model analysis using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 22.0 programs, the factors such as place identity and place dependence from the place attachment has shown a significant impact on the effects of economic, social and cultural influences on the convention and exhibition center. On the other hand, the relationship between tourism influence factor and place attachment impact was not significant. As a result of analyzing the effect of place attachment on sense of community, both place identity and place dependence were all significant in sense of community. These results can be used as basic data to analyze the perception of local residents in the operation of the convention and exhibition center. Also, it is expected that the convention and exhibition center will continue to develop and serve as a medium to build a stable image and a differentiated characteristic of a location.

지역정체성과 공공조형물의 연계성에 대한 기호학적 연구

Recently, along with interest in public design, interest in strengthening regional identity through public design is also increasing. In this study, a study was conducted by specifying Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, which has various natural and cultural heritages among various regions. Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, is an area where rest-type tourist attractions and extreme leisure sports are developing with a high possibility of development through strengthening local identity. In particular, among the various fields of public design, it is necessary to link and strengthen local identity through public sculptures, and this study analyzed the basic identity of Inje-gun and analyzed public sculptures and semiotics in public designs. As a result of the analysis, as shown in Inje-gun's “Skyfall Inje” brand, it advocates clean nature, and public sculptures of various attractions are classified into sculpture shape, guide plate shape, sign stone shape, and gate shape. In terms of design, it was found that creativity, consistency, harmony with the surrounding environment, meaning and linkage were needed, and in terms of semiotics, the meaning of public sculptures was slightly different, and the relevance of local identity and place was considered.

Heavy Metal Contaminants in Popularly-consumed Vegetables of Freetown, Sierra Leone

The contamination of the environment with heavy metals is one of the challenges that make up Sierra Leone's environmental problem, with urbanization being one of the main causes; due to the lack of proper waste dumpsites and landfills for infrastructural development, rivers, and streams are polluted. The loss of biodiversity, but river and stream pollution have a significant impact on aquatic life. Animals and plants in contaminated water sources "may perish or reproduce improperly". This study assessed the level of concentration of heavy metals namely; chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) in some commonly-consumed vegetables like Manihot esculenta (Cassava) leaves, Ipomoea batatas (Potato) leaves, Amaranthus viridis (African spinach), Corchorus olitorius (Krain krain); Solanum lycopersicum (Tomatoes); Cucumis sativus (Cucumber); Brassica oleracea (Cabbage); Abelmoschus esculentus fruits (Okra); Capsicum annuum (Bell Pepper); and Lactuca sativa (Lettuce) which were all purchased at local market places in Freetown. The vegetable samples were analyzed using an X-ray fluorescence machine (XRF) to determine their heavy metal concentration. The goal was to determine the food safety status of the vegetables by comparing the results to the maximum permissible limit (MPL) for vegetables, as set by WHO/FAO. The levels of Zn, Cr, Fe, Cu, and Pb in all vegetable samples varied from 4.70 – 5.69 %; 3.46 – 4.58 %; 4.00 – 4.52 %; 2.87 – 3.42 %; and 0.5 – 1.2 %, respectively. This result indicates that the metals were present at unsafe levels. According to the result, the maximum concentration values are much higher than the MPL value suggested by WHO/FAO for vegetables, implying that eating vegetables from the source market sites in this study may pose a health risk to humans. Heavy metals in vegetables should be monitored on a regular basis to prevent excessive accumulation of these heavy metals in the human food chain. When it comes to vegetable marketing, certain precautions should be implemented.

A hazai pálya előnye

&#x0D; The paper deals with the effects of the structure and the working of the egocentric network to the immobile status of rural youth. The research was made in 2018 among 19-25-year-old youth living in villages with not more than 2500 inhabitants. More, than a hundred (104) structured interview was made: 53 youth and 51 parents. Firstly, the study shows the network size and composition of the examined population, then the influence of the revealed functions of the egocentric network of the youth to their immobility. Based on the data the egocentric network of the youth mainly consist of strong ties: close kin and other relatives. From the weak ties the most frequent contacts belong to the education institutions as primary or grammar school, university. The local schools have a great role in the forming of the friendships. The local working place contacts, neighbours and acquaintanceships are not general actors of the egocentric networks of the youth. &#x0D;