World Heritage Site Research Articles

Immersive virtual reality experiences: boosting potential visitor engagement and attractiveness of natural world heritage sites

ABSTRACT Natural world heritage sites as destinations can have multiple orientations, namely cognitive (learning), affective (hedonism), and sustainability (nature). This study investigates how potential visitors can be attracted to such destinations using virtual reality (VR). Using the Sundarbans mangrove forest (Bangladesh) as a case, and adopting customer engagement and TAM as underlying theories, we collect data from 316 subjects to investigate how ease of use, perceived usefulness, and enjoyment of VR experiences affect intention to visit. In doing so, we reveal that psychological, but not behavioural, engagement serves as a mediator in explaining intention to visit in the context of VR.

Enhancing Visualization of Roman Aqueducts and Water Canalization in Volubilis, Morocco: A Study Using UAV Photogrammetry and Field Observations

This study investigates the application of Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) photogrammetry alongside field observations to enhance the visualization of aqueduct and water canalization systems in Volubilis, Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Focused on the Roman period, the research explores the aqueducts’ role in supplying water to diverse structures, including private houses, cisterns, public fountains, baths, official buildings, and public latrines. The city’s growth from the Mauretanian period to its establishment as a Roman municipality in 42 A.D. witnessed the development of significant structures and an intricate water management system. The aqueducts sourced water from the springs of Fertassa and Laksar, utilizing the topography and gravity to direct water from upland to Volubilis. In contrast to previous studies relying on surface observations and/or geophysical methods, the research herein study integrates both photogrammetry and field observation techniques. Orthomosaics maps, digital 3D models, and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) obtained from Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) surveys of Volubilis were used to illustrate the aqueducts’ orientation and direction of canalization within the city. The complex network of water systems within houses is exemplified by the House of Venus and the House of Orpheus. The study identifies three main categories: surface and subsurface canals, intra-wall conduits made of ceramic or lead, and/or a combination of both. Despite gaps resulting from the loss or collapse of entire structures, the study successfully connects water conduits from aqueducts to various locations in Volubilis. The DEM underscores the crucial role of gravity in water distribution, prompting inquiries into the mechanisms involved and suggesting potential employment of surface, siphoning, over-wall canalization, and/or a combination thereof. Photogrammetric analysis, coupled with meticulous field observations, contributes to the reconstruction of a comprehensive conceptual model of the hydraulic system of Volubilis. The latter showcases elaborate water basins, latrines, baths, and fountains, with water directed through a vertical ceramic pipe fed by underground channels originating from the main aqueduct crossing the center of Volubilis. This research provides valuable insights into Roman water supply and infrastructure management, highlighting the seamless integration of photogrammetry, field observations, and historical evidence. The findings significantly contribute to our understanding of ancient aqueduct systems and their role in sustaining urban life in the Roman city of Volubilis.

A Comprehensive Seismic Monitoring of the Pillar Threatening the World Cultural Heritage Site Chauvet‐Pont d'Arc Cave, Toward Rock Damage Assessment

AbstractFragile geological features must undergo frequent structural health assessments to prevent catastrophic failure events. The mechanical behavior of natural sites is largely guided by vibrations of the earth and environmental exposure, but damage is rarely assessed, except empirically. The Chauvet‐Pont d’Arc cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represents a shining example of fragility that would benefit from monitoring. It is overhung by a rock column known as Abraham's pillar that extends out from the cliff like a natural tuning fork. For this study, we monitored dancing movements of this pillar for over 2 years to analyze its elastic response to weather conditions. Using ambient‐seismic‐noise‐based methods, we identified the pillar's first two natural resonance modes. Through extensive monitoring of the site, we observed the striking temporal evolution of these two resonance frequencies on hourly, daily, seasonal, and pluriannual scales in response to changes in air temperature and insolation. Based on thermo‐acousto‐elastic modeling with a simplified 3D geometric structure, we determined how thermally‐induced stress stiffening affects the rock material, by applying convective and radiative heat fluxes to the model. From the results obtained, we suggest a novel quantitative method based on daily observations that can estimate the level of damage within the rock material. Our work provides a foundation for distinguishing between reversible processes and damage for hazard studies in the frame of climate change. Such knowledge is crucial not only for the preservation of heritage sites but also for enhancing risk assessment protocols and informing conservation efforts worldwide.

Visitors’ Attitudes Toward the Expansion of Alternative Shuttle Bus System in Shiretoko National Park

In some natural parks, introducing a shuttle bus system as an alternative to private cars can help reduce congestion and protect nature. This study examines the pilot program to effectively induce visitors to switch to the shuttle bus, while examining the visitors’ understanding of the expansion of the restricted vehicle section in Shiretoko National Park—a World Natural Heritage site known for its rich natural resources, especially as a high-density habitat for brown bears. There are concerns about conflicts between visitors and brown bears that appear along roads. Visitor restrictions, such as limited access to transportation, limit the use of a place and alter the behavior and experience. Therefore, careful consideration is needed before introducing visitor restrictions. The results of our questionnaire survey of visitors indicated that most favored the expansion of the shuttle bus section. The choice experiment revealed that the guides on the bus and an optional experience encouraged visitors to switch to the shuttle buses. Nonetheless, awareness of the pilot program was low, and some visitors preferred their cars, indicating the need for further promotion of awareness and understanding of these new measures.

Mortality Mapping of Pinus wallichiana in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in India

Mortality Mapping of Pinus wallichiana in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in India

THE ROLE OF GEOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP AND BRAND OF GEOPRODUCT ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN SAMOSIR ISLAND OF GEOPARK CALDERA TOBA WITH MEDIATING METHOD

Geoproducts have a specific philosophy, a geological relationship that visible and understandable through the utilization of geological and geomorphological features from diversity of geological, biological and cultural heritage then strengthened by geo-brand as added value of the product. As local products of certain region, geoproducts as an unique tourism product, through membership of Geopark Global Network (GGN), play role identifying the geopark itself and become market tools where geo-brands can take it. Samosir Island, as part of Toba Caldera Geopark, is the world's greatest Caldera with outstanding potential, became member of GGN in year of 2020. Data processing in this study used smartPLS SEM (Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modeling) software.Various tourism products as geoproducts activity grow, whereas geoproducts are expected to follow the philosophy then becoming sector in development region of geopark, yet have no geo-brand. The geological relationships significantly impact the rise of tourism activities in the regional development of Toba Caldera. This is achieved by incorporating the products' geological, biological, and cultural factors. Usin g geological features must catch up to its potential as a world heritage site. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain these highly delicate elements through geotourism. A study was conducted on geoproduct actors from the supply side of tourism to see how the geological relationship is related to various products that can provide regional development in principle of sustainability a nd how geoproduct actors comprehend geo-brand on their products as an identity of worldwide product.

City-scale analysis of PV potential and visibility in heritage environment using GIS and LiDAR

Increasing the share of renewables, especially utilizing solar power in our energy mix is a highly prioritized aim of the EU. Budapest, the largest city and the capital of Hungary, contains almost 1 million flats in more than 190 thousand buildings, organized in various characteristic urban fabric types. Although on-site renewable energy production is severely limited in dense urban environments, the roofs offer a considerable potential to generate energy on-site.The present paper introduces a method to estimate the PV potential of rooftops on a large scale applying a GIS approach. Using LiDAR data, a Digital Surface Model (DSM) was created. The DSM was utilized to evaluate roof slope, orientation, and global irradiation. Solar potentials, available roof area, photovoltaic (PV) system capacities and estimated annual electricity production were derived from the GIS model. The method was used to develop an open access website called the Budapest Solar Map, which provides decision-makers with solar PV data. However, the nominal PV potential is limited by layers of heritage protection regulations that safeguard the sight of our case study area, Budapest, which is a World Heritage Site. Visibility is also surveyed with GIS and geometrical modeling from designated high points and from the street level, respectively.

Buffer zone policy and its impact on the land value and the quality of the built environment in world heritage sites: the case of kampung jawa, melaka, malaysia

Introduction: Buffer zones in the context of World Heritage sites play an important role in protecting historic monuments and buildings, as well as their adjacent conservation areas, from disruptions caused by urban development. However, properties within the boundaries of buffer zones may be subject to legislative limitations and restricted construction regulations. This may affect the market value of these properties and make them unfavorable for public and private investors. Purpose of the study: The study aims to critically analyze the impact of buffer zone policy on urban development, specifically on the land value and the quality of the built environment in the context of World Heritage sites. The case study for this research is Kampung Jawa (KJ) in the World Heritage City of Melaka, Malaysia. Methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used to conduct this research. The required data was gathered through direct observations, semi-structured and informal interviews with stakeholders and local authorities, as well as a review of available statistical data and maps. A site observation and a questionnaire survey were conducted to examine all the structures in KJ. Results: The research findings revealed that the low land value of buffer zones might be caused by several context-specific conditions, eventually turning them into greyfields. The research recommends a design solution for the area. The research also suggests that certain decisions at the policy-making level, including the involvement of all stakeholders, can be the key to improving the land value and property market within buffer zones.

Developing Heritage Preservation on Ilha de Moçambique Using a Historic Urban Landscape Approach

In 2011, a new approach was introduced into the management of heritage on Ilha de Moçambique by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Known as the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach, this seeks to expand current understanding of the island’s historic urban heritage, recognising that ‘heritage’ is not limited solely to monuments or the built environment. Importantly, HUL incorporates urban sustainable development within the scope of heritage preservation. Given this, the adoption of the HUL approach has the potential to contribute to ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the built heritage, as prescribed by the 1972 UNESCO Convention, of Ilha de Moçambique, and effectively maintaining the Outstanding Universal Values that resulted in the declaration of the island as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. This paper discusses how local communities use the resources and heritage available to them and the central role of commerce, and the marketplace, in the heritage landscape of the island. A critical aspect of this is the sale of antiquities, including archaeological items, to tourists. Perspectives developed within the Rising from the Depths (RftD) network recently supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) UK, with funding from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), offer positive alternative solutions to overcome this challenging situation. In particular, the network sought to identify how the tangible submerged and coastal Marine Cultural Heritage (MCH) of Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar, and its associated intangible aspects, can be utilised to stimulate ethical, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in the region. Our paper demonstrates how the implementation of the RftD initiative when combined with the HUL approach can help to increase awareness among communities on Ilha de Moçambique about the relevance of their heritage and the need for preserving it while meeting everyday needs.

Issues of Ecological Tourism Development on the Territory of Pribaikalye

Over the past few years, Russians' interest in domestic tourism has been steadily growing. This trend is due not only to external factors, but also to the initiatives of the Russian Government and governors implemented at the federal and regional levels. Tourism is becoming a strategic resource for the development of the Russian economy. The article gives examples of regions that are leaders in eco-tourism, demonstrates data confirming the development of tourism in Russian regions. Irkutsk region is characterized by the richness of flora and fauna, diversity of specially protected natural areas (SPNA). Protected areas are represented by two federal reserves (Baikal-Lensky and Vitimsky), Pribaikalsky National Park, two wildlife sanctuaries (Tofalarsky and Krasny Yar). Also in the Irkutsk region there is a part of the territory subject to protection — Lake Baikal World Natural Heritage Site. The ecosystems of protected areas are fragile in their structure, and serious interference in their structure can lead to destruction and death. Therefore, it is important to strike a balance between the development of tourism infrastructure and the preservation of natural heritage. In the world practice ecological tourism is a tool that allows designing modern ecological centers of international scale. This issue is particularly relevant for Pribaikalsky Krai; a number of documents at the federal and regional levels have identified the development of eco-tourism as one of the priority directions. In this context, it is very important to find such tools and mechanisms that will allow to preserve the environment for future generations, since the influx of tourists not only brings profit, but also leaves behind unfavorable consequences for the environment.

(Re)framing built heritage through the machinic gaze

Built heritage has been both subject and product of a gaze that has been sustained through moments of colonial fixation on ruins and monuments, technocratic examination and representation, and fetishisation by a global tourist industry. We argue that the recent proliferation of machine learning and vision technologies create new scopic regimes for heritage: storing and retrieving existing images from vast digital archives, and further imparting their own distortions upon this gaze. We introduce the term ‘ machinic gaze’ to conceptualise the reconfiguration of heritage representation via artificial intelligence (AI) models. To explore how this gaze reframes heritage, we deploy an image-text-image pipeline that reads, interprets, and resynthesizes images of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Employing two concepts from media studies— heteroscopia and anamorphosis—we describe the reoriented perspective that machine vision systems introduce. We propose that the machinic gaze highlights the artifice of the human gaze and its underlying assumptions and practices that combine to form established notions of heritage.

The effects of world heritage status on European city residents’ subjective quality of life

PurposeBeing awarded world heritage status is a distinguishing factor when it comes to promoting tourism in a city. Tourism in these cities should be developed in a way that does not compromise either the city’s heritage or the inhabitants' quality of life. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of a European city achieving world heritage status on the subjective quality of life of its citizens.Design/methodology/approachFirst of all, we classify European cities according to whether or not they have been declared world heritage sites. Then, we analyze the effect of this classification on the main aspects used to measure the residents' perception of quality of life that are available in the Flash Eurobarometer 419.FindingsThe results show that achieving world heritage status has a negative effect on residents' perceptions of the noise level, air quality and feeling of safety. However, it does not affect their perceptions of public transport or cleanliness. In addition, world heritage status positively affects residents’ perceptions of the cultural activities in the city and their ease of finding a job. Residents report high levels of happiness in both world heritage and non-heritage cities, although levels are somewhat higher in non-heritage cities.Originality/valueResidents' perceptions of the influence of tourism on their quality of life are undoubtedly of major importance; however, due to a lack of available data, few studies have examined this subjective quality of life at the city level.

Novel Class Discovery for Representation of Real-World Heritage Data as Neural Radiance Fields (Student Abstract)

Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) have been extensively explored as a leading approach for modeling and representing 3D data across various domains. Their ability to capture arbitrary scale point clouds and generate novel views makes them particularly valuable for digitizing cultural heritage sites. However, despite their impressive rendering capabilities, prior methods have often overlooked a significant real-world challenge: handling open-world scenarios characterized by unstructured data containing multiple classes in a single set of unlabeled images. To address this challenge, we propose a novel method NCD-NeRF that leverages Novel-Class Discovery to effectively tackle the complexities inherent in real-world data with unlabeled classes while excelling in producing high-quality NeRF representation. To validate our approach, we conducted a benchmarking analysis using a custom-collected dataset featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites in India. We observe that our proposed NCD-NeRF can parallely discover novel classes and render high-quality 3D volumes.

Distribution and composition of floating marine debris in Shiretoko peninsula, Japan, using opportunistic sighting survey

Floating marine debris (FMD) poses several threats to marine species, such as entanglement, ingestion, and the transport of pollutants. The Shiretoko Peninsula, located in northern Japan, is a registered World Natural Heritage Site and a biodiversity hotspot. However, FMD has not yet been thoroughly investigated in this region. In 2022, sighting surveys were conducted in Abashiri (west side of the peninsula) and Rausu (east side) to assess the abundance, composition, and distribution of FMD. The mean densities were notably higher in Abashiri, and there was more fishing-related debris in Rausu. Regarding local human activities, the population and number of tourists are higher in Abashiri, and fishing activities are higher in Rausu. While marine pollution is a global issue, our study suggests that addressing it should commence with community-based management at the local level.

Outstanding Universal Value of World Natural Heritage Sites: Definition Issues

The paper provides an in-depth analysis of the concept of outstanding universal value of world heritage sites, which is the supporting category of the entire system of protection of unique natural sites. The paper considers the normative basis for the definition of this concept in the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the Guidelines for its implementation, the practice of the World Heritage Committee and the acts of its advisory bodies. The tripartite division of the composition of outstanding universal value is critically analyzed and the reasons for its appearance are highlighted. Methods of formalizing the analyzed concept are explored, shortcomings in the formulation of wordings of outstanding universal value are highlighted, and various ways to improve this institution are proposed. The comparative legal method of research is widely used: all the problems discussed in the paper are illustrated by the current law enforcement practice of the World Heritage Committee in reviewing the state of conservation of unique natural objects located in foreign countries. The results obtained are compared with the problems of protecting Russian World Natural Heritage sites.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the seawater quality of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam with unique natural scenery. Development and socio-economic activity impact its water quality. In the context of the Vietnam National Standards, historical follow-up data taken over a five-year period (2016 to 2020), for twenty-eight widely dispersed sampling sites, has been used to carry out a temporal assessment of seawater quality utilizing a Water Quality Index (WQI) method. The analysis shows that the seawater quality is generally acceptable over this period. However, the calculated WQI values for the “pandemic year” of 2020 compared to the data for 2016 to 2019, demonstrate a significantly lesser impact for the bay overall and, more specifically, for seventeen individual sites. Ten sites remain unaffected, and one site shows a significantly higher impact. This study demonstrates how the occurrence of the pandemic in 2020 may be exploited for the interrogation of anthropogenic impacts around the bay.

Accessibility of Urban Tourism in Historical Areas: Analysis of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Safranbolu

Expansion of cities with population growth leads to the differentiation of urban texture, negatively affecting the accessibility of tourism areas in historical regions. For this reason, there is a need to develop tourism areas that enable people to experience the areas of historical heritage. Sustainable urban development, which is also the theory of the study, has become an agenda for the protection and revitalization of historical areas in order to increase accessibility to tourism. The Safranbolu Protected Area, which is one of the oldest settlements with its traditional housing texture and which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in Turkey, was chosen as the study area. In this study, the aim is to examine the accessibility of historical tourism centers, analyze the spatial configuration of the street texture in the city of Karabük and determine the features of the formation mechanism of the Safranbolu historical region. The research questions are based on the impact of (1) the accessibility of the street network on the formation mechanism of the urban architecture and (2) the shaping of urban tourism areas in historical cities. The space syntax method was used to examine the relationship between the building features of the Safranbolu Urban Protected Area and the formation features of the space. Within the scope of the study, the accessibility of the Safranbolu historical center was examined through the street texture that shapes the city form using data from Open Street Map. Segment and axial analyses were made based on the current street network data of the city. The key findings of the research revealed that the accessibility level of the city’s street network was practically effective in shaping the Safranbolu Urban Protected Area. It was theoretically found that the streets with a high global integration value in the city have an impact on the shaping of traditional architecture and constitute important routes for tourism in sustainable development. The findings serve as a reference for researchers in sustainable development, urban planners and local governments who will use it to test the methodology for understanding the street layout of the historical area and improving the experiential characteristics of the users.

Authenticity and Satisfaction The Role of Government Policy in Quanzhou Homestays' Service Quality

This study examines the influence of government policies on the service quality and tourist satisfaction of homestays in Quanzhou, China, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Results indicate positive perceptions of government efforts in maintaining homestay authenticity and ensuring safety, significantly affecting tourist satisfaction. The research identifies the importance of preserving cultural authenticity in enhancing the heritage tourism experience, with policy enforcement playing a crucial role. Recommendations focus on regulatory involvement and promotion of authentic cultural interactions. The study's limitations include its localized scope and suggests further exploration into cultural impacts on satisfaction in broader heritage settings.

Investigating the Co-Management of Natural Resources: Lessons Learned from the iSimangaliso World Heritage Site, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Co-managed protected areas globally provide economic and environmental benefits through an equal partnership with communities. However, the African context of natural resource co-management differs, necessitating further research. This paper examines if the co-management of iSimangaliso World Heritage Site’s natural resources in South Africa leads to sustainable use. Qualitative research was conducted via semi-structured interviews and random surveys were conducted with Khula Village residents. The results suggest partial success with challenges such as poaching, non-compliance, communication gaps and gender differentiation over land ownership. Some recommendations include transparency from the co-management committee with residents, education and empowerment programmes on co-management, and involvement of all residents, including non-landowners in co-management decisions for resource protection.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR CONSERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE IN SOUTHERN ALGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF THE M'ZAB VALLEY

The M'Zab Valley, located in Ghardaïa in southern Algeria, was classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1982. The M'Zab valley has benefited from numerous restoration, rehabilitation, and consolidation projects to ensure the preservation of its monuments and historical sites. This article focuses on social sustainability, a key element of sustainable development and a crucial component of cultural heritage protection. The study aims to identify and assess social sustainability in two fortified villages (Ksour) in the M'Zab Valley. The research uses the case study method in the M'Zab valley's unique social context, taking into account several indicators: social networking, safety, and security, sense of attachment, quality of the home, and quality of life, measured through a survey of 200 households. Results show that the indicator that locals value most is “quality of housing”, whereas “participation” is less significant. Only 5.0% of residents of Al-Atteuf and 7.0% of those in Beni-Isguen express a need to leave or change residences. This article also contributes to highlighting the Mozabite community's advantages and challenges, especially after the social and cultural changes that society has undergone.