World Heritage Research Articles

Evolution of pore structure and cement composition during weathering of conglomerate at Mogao Grottoes in alkaline and arid regions, NW China

Numerous conglomerate grottoes have been excavated and preserved in the arid and alkaline regions of NW China. After millennia of weathering, these conglomerate grottoes have suffered from various weathering issues (such as seepage and collapse) that are internally governed by the distribution of pore networks and the degree of cementation. However, studies on conglomerate weathering have mostly been reported in humid and tropical climates, where intensive chemical weathering occurs. Additionally, characterizations of pore evolution during conglomerate weathering have been restricted due to limitations in detecting pore size and pore type using a single pore characterization method. To fill this gap, this study jointly used mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and computed tomography (CT) to characterize the pore evolution process during conglomerate weathering at Mogao Grottoes, a world heritage site in NW China. Mineralogical, hydrological, mechanical and microscopic characterization were also conducted to understand the changes in compositions of bulk samples and cements during weathering. Results revealed that the majority of pores in conglomerate are concentrated in macropores > 5 μm, followed by mesopores and micropores. During weathering, volume fraction of macropores significantly increases and that of micropores decreases, with median/average pore diameters experiencing an 8- to 10-fold increase. Permeability, porosity and fractal dimension exhibited strong positive linear correlations with median/average pore diameters. Throughout weathering, the abundances of calcite and clay minerals show notable decrease, particularly in cements, resulting in an enrichment of feldspars. Frequently occurring sand-carrying wind activities and salt weathering in arid regions are inferred to be responsible for the major cement loss and porosity generation through physical processes. Our combined MIP-CT method for pore network characterization is also applicable to other lithologies with a wide range of pore sizes. The proposed mechanism of pore evolution and cementation failure provides a scientific base for protecting stone heritages in arid zones.

Assessment of Slope Stability at Erbil Citadel, Kurdistan Region of Iraq Using Bejerman’s Method

The Erbil Citadel is located in the center of Erbil City; the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The shape of the citadel is a large, oval hill. The Citadel was inhabited more than 6,000 years ago and is thought to be one of the longest-continuously inhabited sites in the world. Therefore, the Citadel was announced in 2014 as a World Heritage by UNESCO. The height of the Citadel is not uniform; it ranges between (28–30) m, the top elevation is 429 m (a.s.l.), whereas the bottom elevation ranges between (407– 416) m (a.s.l). The Citadel has an oval shape with diameters between (350 – 420) m, the E–W being the longest. The slopes of the Citadel (Tell) display severe erosion and slope stability problems, the main types are creep, which can endanger the existing historical buildings, especially on the edges of the Citadel. Different data about the Citadel have been reviewed but couldn’t find special studies concerning the slope stability of the Citadel. Therefore, we have applied Bejerman’s method, which is a quick field method to assess the slope stability of the slopes of the Citadel to find the Landslide Possibility Index (LPI). Eleven stations were selected around the Citadel to apply Bejerman’s method, the stations were selected in the site; wherever clear indications were found for slope instability. The results of the assessment showed that the LPI ranges between 18–22, which means grade IV, and Failure possibility of Medium (2 stations), and High (9 stations). Recommendations are given to keep the slopes of the citadel as safe as possible.

Rock art in the stone age of Gobustan: an archaeologist’s view

Gobustan is home to a large group of archaeological sites and many thousands of rock images dating from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages. Due to its extraordinary scientific and artistic significance, the Gobustan complex is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. This paper focuses on rock images dating back to the Stone Age. An attempt is made to systematize petroglyphs, taking into account their types, artistic styles, techniques of their creation, and themes of the images. The author considers relative dating and correlation of the distinguished styles with Gobustan sites of various stages of the Stone Age. Based on the analysis, style 1 of the region’s petroglyphs is dated from the first half of the Upper Palaeolithic (no later than 25–24 kya). Style 2 is synchronized with Mesolithic sites, and styles 3a and 3b are dated, with a certain degree of conditionality, from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic.

Communicating value and making plans at a UNESCO World Heritage site: Ephesus

Communicating value and making plans at a UNESCO World Heritage site: Ephesus

Modern risk assessment of the influences of natural and military man-made factors on the state of the historical buildings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

During its thousand-year history, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has experiences many disasters. At the time when the fight against religion was part of the state ideology, the cathedral and monastery were closed, and its countless treasures were confiscated. Even in the turbulent 1930s, when the bolsheviks destroyed dozens of unique temples and churches in Kyiv, the Assumption Cathedral remained intact. Black days for the age-old shrine came during the German occupation in the fall of 1941. First, the shrine was looted, and many material and artistic valuables were taken. In November 1941, a series of explosions destroyed the main temple of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which had served as a tomb for the Kiev princes. In February 2022, the war had started again in our country, and modern scientific technology allows us to assess the impact of military events on buildings of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra from viewpoint of the level of seismic hazard assessment, which have lasted in Ukraine for more than two years, because Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The article presents the results of the analysis of the operation of devices for various purposes ― from the recording of seismic-acoustic waves, which have a high frequency of natural oscillations, to low-frequency ones, which are recorded by a laser inclinometer. The article also presents the results of modern automated data processing using various methods ― from the spectral method of signal recognition to the modern autopicker method of determining the time of arrival of waves AIC, which allows you to clearly determine the arrival time of vibration waves of various origins ― from the formation of cracks in historical buildings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to vibration waves of technical and natural origin.

Using floristic data to shed light on the origin of flora in the poorly studied common cypress habitats of Northern Iran

Despite the ecological importance, there is a large knowledge gap on different habitat types of the Hyrcanian World Heritage. The Hyrcanian Common Cypress Habitats (HCCHs), the easternmost part of the Common Cypress habitats in the world, are one of these habitat types. HCCHs are understudied and threatened by a variety of anthropogenic disturbances. In the current study, synthesizing the floristic data of all HCCHs, we compared the species composition of HCCHs to 20 habitats from the Hyrcanian, Irano-Turanian, and Mediterranean regions. Also, we candidate the HCCH with the highest conservation priority by calculating the phylogenetic richness of HCCHs. The ordination analysis results showed that the HCCHs form a distinct group from the three regions. Thus, we found that the HCCHs have a unique floristic composition. The geographical distance had a weak effect on the grouping (Procrustes Sum of Squares = 0.886 and p-value < 0.001). We also detected that the phylogenetic richness of the HCCHs is highest in the Golestan National Park which is the easternmost habitat of HCCHs. Therefore, this park had the most conservation value. Our results provide new insights into the floristic composition and conservation status of the Hyrcanian World Heritage. We conclude that the bioclimatic classifications might be a better predictor of floristic compositions than biogeographical classifications. Based on the observation of Hyrcanian habitats with intermediate floristic composition, it is necessary to reconsider the biogeographical classifications of the region. Our findings are useful for developing management strategies for HCCHs.

Study of the importance of plants with tubers and edible roots in the life of local populations in the Nimba Mountains Biosphere Reserve

This study focusing on root and tuber plants in the riverside villages of Nimba aims to promote the importance of roots and tubers in the lives of people living near the UNESCO heritage site, Nimba Mountains Biosphere Reserve. . The method of collecting data from resource people and the focus group through a questionnaire developed using the Kobocollect tool was used. The survey concerned 190 people including 79 women or 41.58% who were grouped into age groups with an interval of 5 years and the age group over 20 years was the most interested with 143 people or 75 .26% of respondents. Among all agricultural productions, cassava ranks first (42%), followed by taro (30%), sweet potato (18%) and yam (10%) the least cultivated due to lack of knowledge of its cultivation method, which allows us to affirm that roots and tubers have a primordial place in the nimba zone. The adaptation of these crops to the difficult conditions of the area, their nutritional energy value and their economic contribution deserve the encouragement of these crops despite the difference in yield between these four crops. So for the development of these cultures, authorities at all levels, NGOs, businesses etc. must strengthen the technical and financial capacity of producers, by forming groups or cooperatives, providing them with improved seeds and inputs.

Exploring Strategies to Market SMEs’ Activities: The Role of Personality Traits and Travel Motivations in Tourist Activities

Traditionally, professionals in the tourism sector have been encouraged to segment their market based on socio-demographic variables. However, the multifaceted nature of tourist activity calls for consideration of psychological factors to effectively shape marketing strategies. This study aims to provide insights for tourism industry practitioners by investigating the roles of tourists’ personalities and travel motivations in shaping their activities and their commitment to sustainability in Cumbria, home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Lake District National Park and Hadrian’s Wall. Data were collected using quantitative methods to identify correlations between personality traits, travel motivations, and tourist activities. Additionally, a qualitative focus group with SME representatives from Cumbria provided insights into their understanding of the model. The findings provide significant insights into how the relationships between personality traits, travel motivations, and tourist activities can benefit tourism SMEs. By comprehending tourists’ behaviour, SMEs can tailor their offerings to appeal to the right audience, mitigating the adverse effects of overtourism, and therefore do more than allude to the concept of sustainability. Using these insights, SMEs could make informed decisions and create more effective marketing strategies, fostering sustainable practices that benefit both their customers and the long-term viability of their businesses and the destination.

New Approaches for Regeneration of an Outstanding Baroque Living Heritage, the Széchenyi Linden Allée in Hungary

Allées used to be the essential artistic tools and indispensable parts of the strictly architectural, formal Baroque gardens. Beyond the practical purposes of edging paths and garden ways for walking, hunting, or horse and carriage riding, allées played a vital role in marking visual and landscape connections and thus the spatial projection of the noble estate, its wealth, and social rank. In Historical Hungary, Baroque architecture and garden art appeared in German-Austrian and French examples in the 18th century. The Széchenyi Linden Allée is an outstanding linear garden space of Baroque Garden art at Nagycenk, West Hungary. The generous composition, created by the prominent Count Széchenyi family in the mid-18th century, has remained a magnificent entity in the landscape ever since. Despite barely two hundred years of detected or unknown environmental or habitat changes, as early as 1942, the allée received a nature conservation nomination. More than a half-century later, in 2002, the allée became a historical and landscape aesthetical heritage within the Fertő-Hanság Cultural Landscape World Heritage site. Unfortunately, the once magnificent tree lines have severely eroded in recent decades due to mature trees’ subsequent death, inadequate replacement, lack of regular maintenance and tree care, and effects of climate change. In recent years (2011, 2018), landscape and horticultural analyses and visual and instrumental tree assessments were performed to help the conservation and rebirth of the allée, maintain the mature trees, and restore the landscape within a long-term renewal plan. Along with the 2018 survey and plan, the short-term maintenance works were completed in 2019–2020. This study, based on site surveys in 2022 and 2024, aims to identify the results of the primary management, analyses the vitality of mature trees after crown reductions, and then proposes a resilient and sustainable regeneration method with the habitat, cultural, natural, and genetic heritage, and the feasible maintenance contexts in focus. As proposed in the 2018 plan, the reproduction of mature trees started in 2020 and resulted in well-developing grafts for a later allée restoration. Due to the challenges of climate change, the regeneration project requires a special, long-term restoration management plan with a special focus on the still vital and possible remaining mature trees, the well-growing individuals from previous replanting, and the nursery school seedlings conserving the genetic heritage of the Széchenyi lime trees with long-viability capacity.

Influence of Livelihood Capitals on Landscape Service Cognition and Behavioral Intentions in Rural Heritage Sites

Farmers’ livelihoods are critical for global sustainable development and the conservation and transmission of rural heritage. However, neglecting farmers’ livelihoods increases the risks to living heritage conservation. Therefore, it is essential to explore the impact of livelihood capital on farmers’ landscape services cognition and their behavioral intentions. Based on the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, this study examines the rural areas of Mulanbei irrigation district, which was recognized as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure in 2014, and uses a structural equation model to investigate the relationships between farmers’ livelihood capital, landscape services cognition and behavioral intentions. The study’s key findings include the following: (1) The levels of human capital (0.541), social capital (0.671), and cultural capital (0.645) are relatively high, while the levels of natural, physical, and financial capital are comparatively low. (2) There are significant differences in landscape service cognition and behavioral intentions among farmers of different livelihood strategies, with diversified livelihood farmers demonstrating the highest levels of both cognition and intentions, while subsidy-dependent farmers show the lowest levels. (3) Natural, cultural and financial capital play a crucial role in influencing farmers’ landscape services cognition and their behavioral intentions. Landscape service cognition mediates the relationship between livelihood capital and behavioral intentions. (4) To increase farmers’ willingness to protect and promote rural heritage, efforts should focus on enhancing natural, physical, and financial capital while fostering cultural capital to promote advocacy.

Heritage volunteerism, cultural journalism and participatory placemaking: insights from ‘European Heritage Times’ and Erzgebirge cultural landscape

This study investigates the impact of collaborative creative approaches and voluntary work in the heritage domain, particularly exploring how participatory journalism can involve young volunteers pursuing serious leisure careers. The investigation utilises concepts from citizen humanities, participatory informal placemaking, and serious leisure theory to explore the potential advantages of engaging in voluntary heritage-related activities for both serious leisure volunteers and applied World Heritage Sites. These activities encompass visits to historic locations, short-term stays in heritage sites, and participation in experiential and formative programs. Furthermore, the study explores the effects of this volunteering process on transformation, highlighting both the volunteerism and placemaking aspects of the learning-making process. The researcher, serving as both a serious leisure volunteer and participatory action researcher, employs the editorial project ‘The European Heritage Times’ to assess the impact of this process on volunteers and the heritage sector, as well as on informal placemaking within the applied cultural context of Erzgebirge.

Volcanic tuff as a World Heritage Georesource, a Case Study of Tokaj Wine Region UNESCO Cultural Landscape

Volcanic tephra and pyroclastic rocks are common georesources worldwide. Volcanic eruptions produce these materials, and the freshly deposited volcaniclastic sediments undergo variable diagenesis and possible hydrothermal alteration. The rhyolitic pyroclastic rocks of the Carpathian Basin were formed as a result of major silicic volcanism during the Miocene and are exposed in several volcanic regions. The use of these stones depends on their physical properties, such as hardness, colour, and transportability, especially in masonry and ornamental design. The study site, the Tokaj Wine Region (TWR) Historic Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO site located in NE Hungary, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2002. The silicic pyroclastic rocks, here we also referred to them as rhyolite tuffs, are significant geological resources in the UNESCO cultural heritage designation. The pyroclastic formations cover an area of about 100 km2 and were deposited by three major explosive eruptions (13.1–11.5 Ma). The local varieties are defined by primary volcanological features and secondary (diagenetic, hydrothermal) effects. The stone was extracted from more than 40 open pit quarries dating from the Middle Ages. The wine cellars and dry-built terrace walls are important cultural features of the volcanic tuff use. The geoconservation value of the rhyolite tuff is well illustrated by the exposed special geological features, which represent important sites of volcanic formations. However, only one site has been declared a nature conservation area. Several historic quarries are currently abandoned, and there are many problems due to the lack of their restoration. The most common problems are the instability of quarry walls, illegal dumping, pollution, and dense vegetation covering the geological values. The volcanic tuff has a great potential as a georesource (quarries, cellars, and terrace walls) adding value to World Heritage Site, but special efforts are needed to demonstrate its potential for geoconservation, geotourism, and geo-education.

Managing Climate Change at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, Albania

Abstract The UN’s panel on climate change identified the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, Albania, as vulnerable to sea-level changes in the coming decades. This article summarises the site’s history and environment before considering new institutional developments to manage Butrint as a major tourist destination. It also considers the challenges posed by the prospect of subsidence caused by tectonic events and climate change. The article considers appropriate mitigation strategies made possible by the Albanian government’s policy of instituting a new management authority at Butrint.

Comparison of Nature Tourism in Two Hungarian Forest-Dominated Areas—Results of Visitor Surveys

Recreation and nature-based tourism targeting forests are important cultural services provided by forests, and are also considered non-productive social functions of forests. Many factors influence the demand for forest recreation and tourism that are worth exploring for each forest area. The main aim of our study was to compare the results of visitor surveys related to two mountainous forested areas (Börzsöny and Cserhát) that are both located near to the capital city of Budapest but have different characteristics regarding the forests, accessibility, and the level of tourism infrastructure and services. The questionnaires focused on the characteristics of the visits, perceptions of visitors regarding the values of the areas, and the development needs besides the characteristics of the respondents. In addition to basic statistics, Chi2 and Fisher’s exact tests were used to detect the differences between the two sites. Despite the different characteristics of the study areas, the main results were quite similar at both sites. Most respondents came from Budapest or within a 60 km distance of the sites by car with family and friends, mainly for hiking and nature walks, and spent less than a day in the areas. The state of forests was perceived as good in both areas. Landscape and fresh air were the most attracting factors for visiting both sites. There was a demand for more guided tours, and regarding tourism infrastructure development needs, benches and toilets ranked high at both sites. However, there were also some slight differences between the sites. For example, Börzsöny was visited more frequently, and railway and bicycle were more often used to access this site. Pleasant climate, easy access and fresh air were more important reasons to visit Börzsöny, and it was more associated with wilderness. In Cserhát, low prices and cultural values seemed more important reasons to visit; Hollókő as a world heritage site was highlighted, and more nature-related and other tourism development needs were mentioned regarding this site. These differences were probably due to the different characteristics of the forests (more mosaic forests in Cserhát), the level of the public transportation network, tourist infrastructure and services (higher in Börzsöny), and cultural heritage (more important in Cserhát). Based on our results, Cserhát needs more development in tourism infrastructure and services, while in Börzsöny, the development of a visitor management plan would be useful to harmonize the different uses of the forest.

UNESCO heritage, remembrance, and contemporary identity: festivities of Jewish culture in small towns in the Czech Republic

ABSTRACT Třebíč is the only Czech town, but one of several in the world, to have its Jewish quarter separately listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For more than twenty years, this small town has held not one but two events related to Jewish culture: Shamayim Jewish Culture Festival and Jewish Town Revived, a cultural and historical festivity. Based on long-term and repeated fieldwork from 2017 to the present, the article explains how the acquisition of the UNESCO World Heritage status of the local Jewish quarter determined the reinterpretation and appropriation of the tangible monuments and immaterial references to Jewish culture from a more or less tolerated and dilapidated relic of the past into an essential and prestigious identity marker of today’s completely non-Jewish Třebíč. What elements other than Jewish material cultural heritage do the Třebíč festivities refer to, and how do today’s music/dance/theatre performers – who are overwhelmingly non-Jewish – present them? How do the festivities relate to the local Jewish past and where are the limits of imagination and reference to historical realia? What other purposes do the festivities serve today and how do they affect the revitalization of the quarter?

Estimating Carbon Stock in Unmanaged Forests Using Field Data and Remote Sensing

Unmanaged forest ecosystems play a critical role in addressing the ongoing climate and biodiversity crises. As there is no commercial interest in monitoring the health and development of such inaccessible habitats, low-cost assessment approaches are needed. We used a method combining RGB imagery acquired using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Sentinel-2 data, and field surveys to determine the carbon stock of an unmanaged forest in the UNESCO World Heritage Site wilderness area Dürrenstein-Lassingtal in Austria. The entry-level consumer drone (DJI Mavic Mini) and freely available Sentinel-2 multispectral datasets were used for the evaluation. We merged the Sentinel-2 derived vegetation index NDVI with aerial photogrammetry data and used an orthomosaic and a Digital Surface Model (DSM) to map the extent of woodland in the study area. The Random Forest (RF) machine learning (ML) algorithm was used to classify land cover. Based on the acquired field data, the average carbon stock per hectare of forest was determined to be 371.423 ± 51.106 t of CO2 and applied to the ML-generated class Forest. An overall accuracy of 80.8% with a Cohen’s kappa value of 0.74 was achieved for the land cover classification, while the carbon stock of the living above-ground biomass (AGB) was estimated with an accuracy within 5.9% of field measurements. The proposed approach demonstrated that the combination of low-cost remote sensing data and field work can predict above-ground biomass with high accuracy. The results and the estimation error distribution highlight the importance of accurate field data.

The Influence of World Heritage Sites on Tourism Dynamics in the EU 27 Nations

Culture and tourism are crucial for economic growth and sustainable development, working together symbiotically. Culture boosts tourism by supporting heritage, production, and creativity, while cultural heritage, reflecting national identity and traditions, strengthens local economies. This study uses a panel data analysis to examine the impact of cultural factors on international tourist arrivals in 27 EU nations. The Driscoll–Kraay method reveals that UNESCO World Heritage Sites, government cultural expenditures, household recreation and cultural expenditures, real GDP per job, and bed capacity positively influence international tourist numbers. Regarding cultural factors, World Heritage Sites have the most significant influence, with each additional UNESCO site leading to a 0.22% rise in tourist numbers. The most crucial determinant of tourist arrivals is bed capacity, with a one percent increase leading to a 0.66% increase in tourist arrivals. Conversely, healthcare expenditures and political civil liberties have a negative impact on tourist arrivals. This study discusses managerial implications and offers recommendations for future research.

“Wait” to promote high sighting rates of wildlife in tourism: evidence from a wildlife disturbance experiment

ABSTRACT Ecotourism is often seen as beneficial for both people and nature, but unregulated wildlife tourism can harm wildlife. To improve management practices, we studied rabbit tourism involving Amami rabbits (Pentalagus furnessi) at a Natural World Heritage Site in Japan. The study aimed to determine the sighting rates of wildlife under different car schedules and density scenarios. Using wildlife disturbance experiments and model simulations, we estimated the recovery rate of rabbits after being disturbed by tourists. Our findings revealed that a 20-minute time lag between cars resulted in a 90% recovery rate for the rabbits. Additionally, a regular car schedule increased rabbit sighting rates by approximately 1.85 times compared to random schedules and 2.4 times compared to normal schedules under optimal conditions (maximum density and 50 cars). We also evaluated the profitability of tourism under different rabbit densities and money-back guarantee (MBG) rates. While introducing more cars increased profits, it decreased rabbit sighting rates and increased the likelihood of activating the MBG. In conclusion, our study showed that considering both animal behavior and human interests in developing a tourism management system can balance profitability and minimize the impact of overutilization.

Extraction of deterioration and analysis of vegetation impact effects on the south palace wall of Weiyang Palace

Weiyang Palace, the royal palace of the Western Han Dynasty, is a part of the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor on the World Heritage list. The south palace wall of Weiyang Palace is a well-preserved earthen heritage site within the palace, but it is undergoing continuous deterioration due to the influence of vegetation and external environmental factors. This study pioneers the integration of high-resolution three-dimensional LiDAR scanning with multi-source data analysis, including unprecedented on-site botanical surveys, to explore the subtle effects of different vegetation types on the structural integrity of the south palace wall. Through contour line analysis and facade grid analysis, we extracted the deterioration locations of typical sections of the earthen heritage sites. And we classified the overlying vegetation types on the wall using an object-oriented classification algorithm. Our findings reveal a complex interaction between vegetation and earthen structures: paper mulberry exhibits protective qualities against erosion, while Ziziphus jujuba significantly exacerbates structural vulnerabilities. The methodologies applied in this study for extracting deterioration at earthen heritage sites and integrating multi-source spatial data can serve as a technical application model for monitoring and analyzing the driving forces of earthen heritage sites along the entire Silk Road network, thereby better guiding the conservation of earthen heritage sites.

Brickwork in Norway: tradition encounters a new age of industrial construction, 1905–1912

During the first decades of the twentieth century, construction technology experienced rapid developments, which also affected industrial buildings. This paper demonstrates this evolution between 1905 and 1912 through the case of the Rjukan and Notodden UNESCO World Heritage site in central southern Norway. The site was established for the purpose of producing synthetic nitrogen fertiliser by the company Hydro. There, building systems changed from timber frames with brick infill to pure brick bearing walls and finally to more sophisticated wall-braced cage buildings where steel was incorporated. Increasing the structural capacity was the answer to the growing demand for higher and larger industrial buildings. This case study presents the characteristics and establishes an initial account of the types of construction systems. Embedded steel that is concealed within brickwork can be subject to corrosion and compromise structural integrity. Studying these systems and materials in greater detail and identifying conservation issues will support future repair work. The studied buildings reveal also that used systems were not unique to this remote mountain area, but the technology used was in line with developments in leading industrial nations around the world. This places the site also in an international context of architecture and engineering history.