World Heritage Centre Research Articles

ISTORIJAT ZAŠTITE PRIRODE NA PODRUČJU NACIONALNOG PARKA SUTJESKA

U radu iznosimo istorijat zaštite prirode na području Nacionalnog parka „Sutjeska“, od samih početaka,koncem XIX vijeka, do danas. Kao jedno od najočuvanijih prirodnih područja u BiH, Nacionalni park jeu prošlosti bio predmet brojnih naučnih istraživanja koja su ukazala na potrebu njegovog proširenja naokolne vrijedne i značajne predjele, što je tokom godina dovelo do više različitih prijedloga proširenja.Na ovom mjestu vršimo sistematski pregled i analizu tih prijedloga te na kraju dajemo svoje viđenje potencijalnihgranica Parka. Rad treba da posluži kvalitetnijoj zaštiti prirodnih vrijednosti, pokretanju jačeinicijative za proširenje granica Nacionalnog parka i ostvarivanje ideje o prekograničnom zaštićenompodručju Sutjeska-Piva-Durmitor.

Isolation and purification of phycocyanin from cyanobacteria of a mangrove forest

A cyanobacterium is an ancient group of photosynthetic prokaryotes that are thought to be the first organisms to carry out oxygenic photosynthesis. Phycocyanin (PC) is used to capture light energy for photosynthesis, unique to cyanobacteria. Sundarbans, a mangrove forest, is situated in the delta of Ganges, Meghna and Brahmaputra rivers, India. It has been declared as world heritage centre for its biodiversity. We would be the first to report on the photosynthetic pigment, phycocyanin of any strain of cyanobacteria isolated from a mangrove forest, Sundarbans. We have isolated the photosynthetic pigment from a cyanobacterial strain, AP24. Sequential precipitation of crude extract was done by the use of ammonium sulphate. Dialysis of the protein sample, anion exchange chromatography on a DEAE-cellulose DE 52 column and gel filtration chromatography with Sephadex G-100 column chromatography increased the purity ratio of phycocyanin. The purification was done both by DEAE-cellulose [purity ratio of the eluted cyanobacterial phycocyanin (C-PC) (A620/A280) increased to 4.31] and by Sephadex column. The molecular weight of purified C-PC was found to be 72 kDa, which include two subunits α (17 kDa) and β (19 kDa) in a dimer association (αβ)2. The purified C-PC shows antioxidant activity. It was observed that the rate of haemolysis is decreased with increasing concentration of C-PC.

American Mission activities in Libya 2005–16: report

AbstractThis essay outlines the capacity-building work of the American Archaeological Mission to Libya between the years 2005 and 2016. This work was made possible by grants from the US Embassy to Libya, the US State Department Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in Washington, DC. The principles and objectives underlying our capacity-building programme were inspired by the 2003 UNESCO World Heritage Centre Mission Report by Giovanni Boccardi, in particular his recommendation that the Libyan Department of Antiquities obtain training in the best modern cultural heritage management practices via sustained partnerships with external professionals and organisations.

Enabling Capabilities: Innovation and Development in the Outer Hebrides

The existing challenges to non-profit heritage organisations are increasing in these volatile and austere climates. Particularly, existing organisational and strategic mission developments are needed to enable more resilient organisations. This paper explores the relationship between Ionad Hiort and the Glasgow School of Art’s Institute of Design Innovation (INDI) as a six-month case study for understanding how design innovation can build creative capabilities within this unique partnership. In this case, the “building” of a new type of heritage centre on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. It focuses on the concept of innovation in approaching complex situations as an alternative to existing means of problem solving. Through a series of workshops and engaging informal sessions a new strategy was built, which focused the group’s potential. The outcome being a new way to build confidence within communities and build new relationships, enabling new creative capabilities within a rural island community.

‘…to exercise in all loyalty, discretion and conscience’: on insider research and the World Heritage Convention

While research on the World Heritage Convention has expanded tremendously in the last decade, little attention has been directed towards the research published by a handful of what can be characterised as insider researchers. Within this context, ‘insider researchers’ refers to individuals working at or on behalf of the core international institutions implementing the World Heritage Convention, such as the World Heritage Centre, and thus conduct research on a system they are part of. Coding articles published in international peer-reviewed journals, this article explores the themes and topics tackled in these articles and addresses the strengths and weaknesses of insider research within the World Heritage context.

AJANTA CAVES: A PERSPECTIVE ON CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

Ajanta Caves, UNESCO World Heritage Centre in India had its historic glory dating back to 2 nd Century BC to 6 th Century AD has become an outstanding exemplary for Ancient Rock Cut Architecture in India. The series of Buddhist caves comprising Chaityas (Commemorative Prayer Halls) and Viharas (Private Prayer Halls with resting cells) onto the horse shoe cliff away from the chaos, amidst nature must have assured the serenity in environment and tranquility for the inhabitants then. Ajanta, exhibits its efficiency in terms of various construction methods and techniques adopted for manifestation by the then artisan, as well as richness in terms of awe inspiring ornamentation both in paintings and reliefs where in majority of the interpretations in accordance to Gandhara Art. This paper focuses mainly on discussing various construction techniques and methods adopted for extrusion of form, purpose of various spatial fragments within vicinity and reflectance of various functional attributes of potential building elements that reinforced sustainability of the vicinity both structurally and aesthetically with the support of visual analysis. Also, other essential strategies such as ornamentation throwing light on Buddhist theology and water management to ascertain the comfort factor for the then inhabitants. This paper concludes with the appraisal of the rock cut mechanisms, design strategies and approaches while promoting a scope for further research in bringing out the practical applications as well issues regarding ambient indoor lighting and ventilation. Also with an anticipation of exploring the then safety concerns along with management strategies for serene and isolated living. Ajanta with its physical setting and articulation of various functional spaces as a sustainable habitat for centuries together does have heritage footprint with an exuberant research quotient.

Monitoring Natural World Heritage Sites: optimization of the monitoring system in Bogda with GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis

Natural World Heritage Sites (NWHSs) are invaluable treasure due to the uniqueness of each site. Proper monitoring and management can guarantee their protection from multiple threats. In this study, geographic information system (GIS)-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) was used to assess criteria layers acquired from the data available in the literature. A conceptual model for determining the priority area for monitoring in Bogda, China, was created based on outstanding universal values (OUV) and expert knowledge. Weights were assigned to each layer using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based on group decisions, encompassing three experts: one being a heritage site expert, another a forest ranger, and the other a heritage site manager. Subsequently, evaluation layers and constraint layers were used to generate a priority map and to determine the feasibility of monitoring in Bogda. Finally, a monitoring suitability map of Bogda was obtained by referencing priority and feasibility maps.The high-priority monitoring area is located in the montane forest belt, which exhibits high biodiversity and is the main tourist area of Bogda. The northern buffer zone of Bogda comprises the concentrated feasible monitoring areas, and the area closest to roads and monitoring facilities is highly feasible for NWHS monitoring. The suitability of an area in terms of monitoring is largely determined by the monitoring priority in that particular area. The majority of planned monitoring facilities are well distributed in both suitable and less suitable areas. Analysis results indicate that the protection of Bogda will be more scientifically based due to its effective and all-around planned monitoring system proposed by the declaration text of Xinjiang Tianshan, which is the essential file submitted to World Heritage Centre to inscribe as a NWHS.

Focus Meeting 2, “Astronomical Heritage: Progressing the UNESCO–IAU Initiative” Introduction and overview

AbstractMarking seven years of formal cooperation between the IAU and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to implement UNESCO's “Astronomy and World Heritage” Thematic Initiative, this Focus Meeting reviewed achievements, challenges, and progress on particular World Heritage List nomination projects.

The Geography of Urban Heritage

The heritage community has long faced difficulties with the theoretical as well as practical challenges of managing continuity on the scale of historic cities. Identifying individual components of the architectural heritage and selected areas for a variety of levels of conservation, from the benign to the interventionist, has largely proved to be the limit of attainment. In the generality of situations, where the survival of the components depends on their place within the whole, urban heritage is consequently at risk of suffering unnecessary losses. This is especially the case where the culturally sensitive historic cores of towns and cities are the primary focus of pressures for major change or redevelopment and counterbalancing policies are not in place to address those pressures proactively. Recent years have seen a number of reflections on urban heritage: notably, at the international level, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Centre and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Deriving as they do from a vital but largely self-contained set of cultural heritage parameters and interests, their impact on positioning heritage at the core of urban planning and development processes has been limited. The essential human factor has not really been taken into account. With a focus on Europe, this paper looks beyond a paradigm founded on a limited perception of values to the objective of positioning the spectrum of urban heritage within the mainstream of urban planning policy and practice. This is a province dominated on a professional level by the broad discipline of geography, in which the urban geographer is the often-overlooked but essential ally for a constructive partnership. A second paper, in the following issue of this journal, takes the debate forward and addresses the governance of urban heritage.

Sustaining indigenous geographies through world heritage: a study of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park

In this article, the author will argue that development of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa nomination dossier involved collaborations between multiple actors, involved the recognition of indigenous knowledge systems, and resulted in the co-creation of hybrid mapping representations. This empirical research examines data sources like World Heritage dossiers and state/UNESCO correspondence letters held at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre archives in Paris, France and cultural site dossiers archived at the International Council on Memorials and Sites (ICOMOS) in Charenton-le-Pont, France. Actor-network theory informs this research and will act as a heuristic tool for collection, organizing, and analyzing the archival documents. A framework called postcolonial centers of calculation will be introduced to untangle technoscientific processes associated with World Heritage nomination documents. A case study of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa nomination dossier reveals historical cycles of accumulation geographic information around Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa, a strong network of indigenous and state collaborations, and the creation of hybrid geographic representations. The discussion and conclusion section relate this research to sustainability science and indigenous geographies, and suggest future research directions.

UNESCO Thematic Initiative “Astronomy and World Heritage”

Introduction The Convention concerning the protection of cultural and natural World Heritage of 1972 provides a unique opportunity to preserve exceptional properties world-wide and to raise awareness about scientific concepts linked to these properties. The mission of UNESCO regarding World Heritage consists of assisting the States Parties to this Convention to safeguard sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, to support activities led by States Parties in the preservation of World Heritage, and to encourage international cooperation in heritage conservation. The World Heritage Committee adopted in 1994 the Global Strategy whose objective is to establish a representative and balanced World Heritage List, to fully reflect the cultural and natural diversity of heritage of outstanding universal value. Considering that properties related to science are among the most under-represented on the World Heritage List and recognizing the absence of an integrated thematic approach for sites which have a symbolic or direct connection to astronomy, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, in close consultation with States Parties, has elaborated the Thematic Initiative “Astronomy and World Heritage”.

A DEFINITION OF AUTHENTICITY CONCEPT IN CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL LANDSCAPES

Cultural landscape can be defined as the result of human interaction with nature over time, which has led to the formation of the many and diverse layers of value. Currently, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre has a unique role among other scientific associations. In recent years, the World Heritage Center has put efforts into developing a framework and measures for evaluation and management of cultural landscapes. Moreover, the concept of authenticity; as the transmitter of values and significance of cultural landscape, is considered as the key component in the process of cultural landscape conservation. A lot of scientific resources have pointed out the importance of authenticity in the process of conserving cultural landscapes. However, the role of authenticity within the domain of conservation of cultural landscapes has received little attention. One of the main reasons can be lack of adaptation between conventional definitions of UNESCO and international documents concerning the authenticity for including the flexible and dynamic structure of cultural landscapes around the world. Therefore, this paper seeks to explore and develop a flexible framework in order to redefine the concept of authenticity in relation to cultural landscapes, which has some overlaps with UNESCO definitions despite its differences. For developing this framework, Iranian-Islamic philosophy of Mollasadra is applied and described with some examples of cultural landscapes in Iran.

Assessment of World Heritage List Nominations under Country Profile of Turkey

World Heritage List is a vital symbol for States to prove their cultural and natural properties nominated by the three Advisory Bodies of the World Heritage Convention (ICCROM, ICOMOS, IUCN) and the World Heritage Centre. Not only the selected property becomes a flagship for the national protected area, being nominated also encourages the states to provide better techniques for protection, conservation and management. Turkey ratified the World Heritage Convention in 1983. Three properties were nominated initially in 1985. Even though approximately 30 years have passed since 1983, there have been only 11 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. While comparing the other countries representation on the list, Turkey seems to be presented with a fewer number of properties until now. The researcher with this starting point aimed to analyze the World Heritage List Nomination historical process and complementary policies of Turkey. The method of the study is based upon interviews and documentary monitoring. Interviews with the chairman of UNESCO Turkish National Commission Prof. Dr. Ocal Oguz and sector experts have been carried out. As a result of these studies, the researcher has identified three major problem areas on the implementation process of World Heritage List. From the findings, it can be concluded that improved site management, well-developed links with ICOMOS, IUCN, ICCROM in coordination with their experts, and offering a property for nomination with an integrated approach including a wider stakeholder perspective, a wider region and perspective could increase the number of the properties nominated in the prospective period. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n13p307

The World Heritage Centre’s approaches to the conservation of New Gourna Village, and the assessment of its authenticity and integrity

New Gourna Village, which is located inside one of the World Heritage Sites in Egypt, has never been recognized as an element contributing to the site’s Outstanding Universal Value. The recognition of the village as a contributing element is reliant on the successful assessment of its authenticity and integrity. Responding to the dramatically declining integrity of the village, the World Heritage Centre has carried out an architectural study to guide the potential conservation works in the property. The study has recommended that a group of objectives and two approaches to the conservation of the village should be adopted. One of these two approaches has been concerned with the conservation of the village according to the architect’s original intentions and principles. The previous approach can be called the principles-based approach. The main aim of this study was to examine the agreement of the World Heritage Centre’s objectives and their proposed principles-based approach to the conservation of the village with the aim to improve its chance in meeting the conditions of authenticity and integrity. The study approached the previous aim by assessing, by means of a proposed methodology; the level of significance, authenticity and integrity of the property. Based on the previous assessment, a list of conservation interventions was proposed to improve the property’s chance in meeting the conditions of authenticity and integrity. Finally, the World Heritage Centre’s recommended approaches and objectives were examined against the previous proposed conservation interventions. The findings indicated the possibility to adopt the principles-based approach to the conservation of New Gourna Village, as well as the other World Heritage Centre’s objectives, without limiting the property’s chance in meeting the conditions of authenticity and integrity. The study recommends to carry out further studies that are concerned with the identification of the architect’s philosophy and architectural principles that should be the key reference of all the potential conservation interventions in the village.

States of Conservation: Protection, Politics, and Pacting within UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee

The title, States of Conservation, deliberately references the two “states” that now occupy critical yet oppositional nodes within UNESCO’s 1972 Convention and its conservation agenda. It recalls the State of Conservation (SOC) reports commissioned by the World Heritage Center in conjunction with its Advisory Bodies that relay the condition of World Heritage properties to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. But more critically, “states” here also refers to the most powerful, emergent players in World Heritage Site inscription and protection processes—the States Parties of the 1972 Convention. Many researchers have debated the merits and consequences of World Heritage. While this work remains critical, my own contribution specifically traces the international political pacting, national economic interests, and voting blocs through which particular states increasingly set the World Heritage agenda and recast UNESCO as an agency for global branding rather than global conservation. I contend that as the rush for World Heritage inscription increases and economic and geo-political pacting between nations intensifies, the resources, concerns, and commitments for conservation of sites already inscribed potentially declines. The politics of inscription has now spilled over into the politics of conservation and endangerment. But whereas the former seeks international status and socio-economic benefits through global branding, the latter may jeopardize protection of those same sites through the unhindered interventions of conflict, mining, exploitation, and other infrastructural developments. Whether describing World Heritage, the environment, or manufacturing, denationalized economic life goes hand in hand with renationalized political life. I draw World Heritage case studies from around the world, with a particular focus on the Historic District of Panama—one example of what happens with the cutting of conservation, and concomitantly communities, from the Convention.

The Convergence Effect: Real and Virtual Encounters in Augmented Reality Art

The Convergence Effect: Real and Virtual Encounters in Augmented Reality Art

CONNECTING WORLD HERITAGE NOMINATIONS AND MONITORING WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SILK ROADS CULTURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE INFORMATION SYSTEM

Abstract. Serial transnational World Heritage nominations are challenging the way cultural heritage has been managed and evaluated in the past. Serial transnational World Heritage nominations are unique in that they consist of multiple sites listed as one property, distributed in different countries, involving a large diversity of stakeholders in the process. As a result, there is a need for precise baseline information for monitoring, reporting and decision making. This type of nomination requires different methodologies and tools to improve the monitoring cycle from the beginning of the nomination towards the periodic reporting. The case study of the Silk Roads Cultural Heritage Resource Information System (CHRIS) illustrates the use of a Geographical Content Management System (Geo-CMS) supporting the serial transnational World Heritage nomination and the monitoring of the Silk Roads in the five Central Asian countries. The Silk Roads CHRIS is an initiative supported by UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC) and the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO), and developed by a consortium headed by the Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation (RLICC) at the KULeuven. The Silk Roads CHRIS has been successfully assisting in the preparation of the nomination dossiers of the Republics of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and will be used as a tool for monitoring tool in the Central Asian countries.

La Liste du patrimoine mondial : une approche par le système d’information

The World Heritage List of UNESCO : an Approach Through the Information System. The list, the preferred tool for the classification and management of cultural heritage, now seems threatened by the emergence of new complex, dispersed and interconnected heritage objects. This article aims to explore the transformation of the list facing these new objects through the analysis of the exemplary case of the World Heritage List of UNESCO. To study this case, we use the methodology of the “reverse knowledge engineering”. Through the observation of the information system of the World Heritage Centre, we identify the mechanisms that underlie the selection of World Heritage and the solutions that the World Heritage List sets up to deal with the enlargement process of cultural heritage.

Capacidad de carga en grandes recursos turístico-culturales

The concept of tourism carrying capacity has been widely reported in the literature since the early sixties of the twentieth century. However, its application in cultural resources and destinations has lower asset development. This article presents the development of scientific approaches to study tourism carrying capacity, focusing on approaches that have guided the positioning of international agencies feel doctrine in the field of heritage tourism management (ICOMOS, the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization). Presents itself a methodology for the preparation of studies of carrying capacity in cultural tourist resources, and shows its application in two great monuments of Spain: the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the Royal Collegiate Church of San Isidoro of Leon.

The impact of future climate on historic interiors

The socio-economic significance of climate change is widely recognised. However, its potential to affect our cultural heritage has not been discussed in detail (i.e. not explicit in IPCC 4) even though the cultural impacts of future outdoor climate have been the focus of some European Commission projects (e.g. NOAH'S ARK) and World Heritage Centre reports. Recently there have been a few projects that have examined the changing environmental threats to tangible heritage indoors (e.g. Preparing Historic Collections for Climate Change and Climate for Culture). Here we predict future indoor temperature and humidity, and damage arising from changes to climate in historic rooms in Southern England with little climate control, using simple building simulations coupled with high resolution (~5km) climate predictions. The calculations suggest an increase in indoor temperature over the next century that is slightly less than that outdoors. Annual relative humidity shows little change, but the seasonal cycles suggest drier summers and slightly damper winters indoors. Damage from mould growth and pests is likely to increase in the future, while humidity driven dimensional change to materials (e.g. wood) should decrease somewhat. The results allow collection managers to prepare for the impact of long-term climate change, putting strategic measures in place to prevent increased damage, and thus preserve our heritage for future generations.