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Restoring a World Natural Heritage Site (WNHS) after a disaster to attract tourists raises multifaceted issues that concern heritage authenticity, environmental ethics, and tourists' acceptance. In the case of Jiuzhaigou post-earthquake landscape, this study analyses authenticity perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral intentions of tourists and explores environmental ethics through three perspectives. Results reveal tourists' authenticity perception affects their attitudes and behaviors towards environmental restoration. Moreover, tourists tend to recognize and support Awe for Nature (Awe-N) more than Respect for Nature (Res-N) and significant differentiation exists among potential tourists according to their environmental ethics, demographic characteristics, and behaviors. Altogether, our work presents innovative arguments on post-disaster WNHS restoration by highlighting the complexities of heritage authenticity, environmental ethics, and tourist' dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores tourists’ perceptions of the Sigiriya UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. The study has used TripAdvisor reviews and analysed using content analysis employing the 5’A’s framework for destinations (Attractions, Accessibility, Amenities, Activities, Accommodation). The results indicate that tourists perceive the attraction based on scenery, historical significance, features, cost, and crowd levels. Their perception highlighted the availability of accommodation, facilities and amenities. The activities including rock climbing, garden visits, photography, and artefact observation along with the accessibility considerations, such as fitness requirements, were also highlighted in their perceptions. The study revealed a key finding that ‘authentic experience’ is a crucial component of heritage tourism. Accordingly, this study proposes expanding 5’A’s framework incorporating ‘authentic experiences’ to understand tourists’ perceptions and their recommendation behaviour. Practical implications include preserving the site’s natural and historical value, improving accessibility and amenities, and offering authentic experiences in heritage destinations to enhance tourists’ perceptions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lahore is among the most important historical cities in Pakistan, and many cultural heritage structures, such as Shalamar Gardens and Lahore Fort, which are recognised as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, are located there. The rapid increase in transit operations and infrastructure development in Lahore can increase the vulnerability of nearby heritage structures to ground-borne vibrations. In this study, a vibration vulnerability assessment of the heritage structures present in Lahore was performed with the help of the framework provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), USA. A remote survey was carried out to gather valuable information regarding the distance between the heritage structures and potential vibrational sources, as well as the latitude and longitude of the heritage structures, via the web-based mapping tool Google Earth. A vibration vulnerability map of heritage structures was developed on the basis of a vibration vulnerability assessment to make it convenient for policymakers to visualise the present state of heritage structures with respect to vibration vulnerability. The performed vibration vulnerability assessment was validated by experimentally measuring vibrations at the Buddha's Tomb (Buddha Ka Awa) heritage structure. The study revealed that 17% of the heritage structures present in Lahore are vulnerable to vibrations at present, with potential vibrational sources such as road traffic, metro trains, and rail traffic. The vibration vulnerability assessment revealed that 72% of the vibrationally vulnerable heritage structures in Lahore are most influenced by vibrations from road traffic. The results of this study can aid policymakers in creating intervention packages for vibrationally vulnerable heritage structures in Lahore in relation to their respective needs, which will make it possible to achieve the sustainable conservation of heritage structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Conserving frankincense trees (Boswellia) is crucial for both ecological and socio‐economic reasons. Surveying these trees in the field and using remote sensing unmanned aerial vehicles in the Socotra Archipelago, we found that Socotran frankincense trees are threatened by forest fragmentation, overgrazing, and increasingly frequent extreme climate events. A better understanding of the distribution and the threats of these important insular species will improve the conservation policy of the local authorities and benefit local communities in the Socotra Archipelago. At the same time, this work serves as a good practice example to guide conservation efforts for other culturally important threatened tree species around the world, therefore helping to sustain local livelihoods, fostering ecological resilience, and supporting socio‐economic stability. Summary: Globally, frankincense trees (Burseraceae: Boswellia) are increasingly under threat because of habitat deterioration, climate impacts, and the olibanum trade. Despite harboring nearly half of the species in the genus, up‐to‐date insights are lacking for the insular endemic frankincense trees of the Socotra Archipelago UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site (Yemen).We combined georeferencing of individual trees in the field with remote sensing applying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to evaluate Boswellia distribution and (sub)population sizes in the entire Socotra Archipelago.We counted 17,253 trees across all 11 taxa and we surveyed almost 55% directly in the field, collecting individual information on threats and health indicators. We estimate that the current total population sizes of the relatively common Socotran Boswellia taxa (Boswellia elongata, Boswellia popoviana, and Boswellia ameero) consist of a few thousand mature individuals with fragmented distribution of which a large proportion occurs in highly disjunct relictual stands, while the more range‐restricted species survive only through a few hundred (Boswellia nana and Boswellia samhaensis) to fewer than a hundred trees (Boswellia scopulorum). Our field data show that the Socotran frankincense trees are threatened by fragmentation and overgrazing resulting in a lack of natural regeneration, in combination with effects of extreme climate events (e.g., higher frequency and intensity of cyclones and prolonged drought) and potential future infrastructure developments; the species are less impacted by resin collection.We provide recommendations to strategize urgent protection of the declining Socotran frankincense trees, and we update their conservation status, resulting in an endangered status for seven and a critically endangered status for four taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity conservation is impossible without empowerment and benefit to local communities. This happens through a cultural landscape that supports sustainable human and natural communities. We report on a 3-year project to help four local communities sustainably create semi-natural ecosystems in an area under threat in south Jerusalem that is a candidate World Heritage site. One part of the project involved biodiversity assessment with local participation and resulted in the designation of the area as a protected area. A second part of the project reported here focused on enhancing ecosystem services via enhancement of ecotourism, agricultural production, and marketing in eco-friendly ways all done via community participation. This agroecological approach for 80 farmers in four communities enhanced their production of organic health produce, marketed their products, while learning about local biodiversity (benefiting more than 500 individuals). This happened via agricultural inputs and capacity building (by professionals and by exchanging knowledge). The socioeconomic status of women cooperatives was also improved through the project creating sustainable income and empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature shows that tourists can make significant financial contributions towards efforts of erosion prevention, but very few studies are done in the context of developing countries, especially to protect World Heritage sites. This paper provides the first estimates of willingness to pay (WTP) for differing coastal erosion measures by domestic and foreign tourists visiting Hoi An, an UNESCO World Heritage site located in Vietnam. Using a discrete choice experiment, our study presents several new and important findings. Tourists support visible protection structures and trees on beaches even though these hard measures can affect the natural aesthetics. There exists preference heterogeneity among tourists. Most importantly, our analysis shows that WTP of each tourist is USD $13.45, nearly seven times greater than WTP by local residents estimated in previous literature for a similar erosion protection program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of New Architecture is the property of New Architecture Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Natural beauty evaluation is an important branch of geography and landscape studies and has profound impact on the protection and sustainable development of World Heritage sites (WHs). However, systematic literature reviews in this field are insufficient. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed 262 relevant studies in the Web of Science and CNKI databases published since 1982, systematically reviewed the research progress in the field of natural beauty evaluation, analyzed the current main research methods, theoretical frameworks, and application practices, and explored their specific implications for the World Heritage karst sites (WHKs). The following observations were made. (1) The number of publications has been increasing year by year, reaching its peak in 2019, indicating increasing research interest in this field. (2) The research content covers five aspects: theory, evaluation indicators, methods, technology, and World Heritage value. The proportion of research on technology integration (33.94%) and evaluation methods (28.05%) is the highest, accounting for 61.99% of the total, and indicating a positive inclination toward innovation and development of research methods. (3) Methodology tends toward interdisciplinary collaboration, and evaluation methods have gradually shifted from a single qualitative description to quantitative, diversified, and interdisciplinary comprehensive evaluation. The combination of traditional and emerging technologies such as SD method, SBE method, AHP method, neuroscience, and UGC data has increased, breaking through time and space constraints and expanding data sources. (4) In future studies, the assessment of natural beauty should concentrate on aesthetic preferences across diverse cultural contexts, develop a concept of global localization, and enhance evaluators' aesthetic perception through multisensory integration. Simultaneously utilizing UGC data to balance the authority of evaluation standards and the inclusiveness of evaluation systems, developing quantifiable indicators, and improving quantitative research in analogy methods; Finally, a karst landscape aesthetic evaluation model is constructed from both global and local perspectives, providing scientific reference for the formation of a unified evaluation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are growing calls for travellers to apply the principles of ethical visitor behaviour (EVB) however, only a few studies have been conducted to date to measure the extent to which visitors perceive such calls and heed them at World Heritage Sites located in developing countries. This study was conducted at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in South Africa with the aim was to measure visitors’ perceptions of the importance and application of EVB at the IWP. A total of 323 respondents were conveniently surveyed to rate EVB items related to perceptions of importance and behaviour. Results revealed that, although respondents perceived EVB as being important few actively applied the principles in a heterogeneous manner. The study revealed that different socio-demographic groups perceived ethical behaviour patterns differently. Such findings have practical implications, as an awareness of visitors’ perceptions of EVB patterns might assist authorities in formulating effective strategies to encourage EVB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to the surrounding climatic environment, the intrinsic characteristics of the stones used in construction are a critical factor to understand a building's conservation state and define the necessary planning and conservation management activities. The use of environmentally susceptible stones, such as carbonate stones, in heritage buildings can be especially problematic. The present investigation presents an overview of past research and contributes to identifying the types of carbonate stones used over time in Coimbra's Old Cathedral in Portugal, which was classified as a National Monument and integrated into the Coimbra World Heritage site by UNESCO. Our mineralogical and chemical analyses revealed the use of carbonate stones from different quarries (Coimbra region), including Ançã limestone and dolostone (Porta Especiosa portal), Portunhos limestone and Outil limestone (in the perimeter of windows), and marlstones and Outil limestone (side facades). These stones, which were installed at various times during the construction and alteration of the monument, represent a great challenge for conservation planning due to their intrinsic vulnerability to adverse environmental conditions and pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religious tourism is a growing phenomenon that is increasingly intertwined with cultural tourism, particularly in countries like Bulgaria, which possesses a wealthy heritage of religious interest. The Ancient City of Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a rich religious history, provides a unique case study for examining this dynamic. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, including documentary analysis and case study methodology, to investigate the current state of religious tourism in Nessebar. The research revealed the underutilization of Nessebar's religious sites for tourism purposes, despite their potential value. A complex interplay between mass tourism, cultural preservation, and the decline of traditional religious practices was identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It took nearly a century to discover a total of 430 figurative Nazca geoglyphs, which offer significant insights into the ancient cultures at the Nazca Pampa. Here, we report the deployment of an AI system to the entire Nazca region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, leading to the discovery of 303 new figurative geoglyphs within only 6 mo of field survey, nearly doubling the number of known figurative geoglyphs. Even with limited training examples, the developed AI approach is demonstrated to be effective in detecting the smaller relief-type geoglyphs, which unlike the giant line-type geoglyphs are very difficult to discern. The improved account of figurative geoglyphs enables us to analyze their motifs and distribution across the Nazca Pampa. We find that relief-type geoglyphs depict mainly human motifs or motifs of things modified by humans, such as domesticated animals and decapitated heads (81.6%). They are typically located within viewing distance (on average 43 m) of ancient trails that crisscross the Nazca Pampa and were most likely built and viewed at the individual or small-group level. On the other hand, the giant line-type figurative geoglyphs mainly depict wild animals (64%). They are found an average of 34 m from the elaborate linear/trapezoidal network of geoglyphs, which suggests that they were probably built and used on a community level for ritual activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earthquakes which struck Nepal's capital in 2015 were humanitarian disasters. Not only did they inflict tragic loss of life and livelihoods, they also destroyed parts of the Kathmandu Valley's unique UNESCO World Heritage site. These monuments were not just ornate structures but living monuments playing central roles in the daily lives of thousands, representing portals where the heavens touch earth and people commune with guiding deities. Their rehabilitation was also of economic importance as they represent a major source of tourist income and employment. Unfortunately, the social and political desire for rapid reconstruction resulted in the swift removal of many traditionally constructed foundations and their replacement with modern materials without assessments of whether they contributed towards the collapse of individual monuments. These actions, combined with the wholesale removal, mixing and dumping of modern and historic debris, contributed to a second, equally destructive, cultural catastrophe – irreversible damage to Kathmandu's Medieval fabric, in a process which frequently excluded local communities and custodians. This case study draws from our collective reflections and lessons learned from our attempts to enable equitable and ethical research partnerships between UK and Nepali colleagues as well as local communities in the debris of the Kasthamandap, Kathmandu's eponymous monument. After briefly describing the potential of mobilising archaeologists in post-disaster contexts and outlining the challenges of undertaking research in such a setting, our case study utilises the TRUST Code to assess the character and success of our multidisciplinary collaboration in a time of crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a few Swiss fossil localities are known globally and of which, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Monte San Giorgio, which extends from Switzerland into Italy, is the most important one. Following the discovery of the occurrence of articulated skeletons of marine reptiles in the local mines, large excavations were organized by Bernhard Peyer from the University of Zurich starting 1924. With this collection of articles, we commemorate the successful excavations and research, which initiated the publication of a series of monographies, mostly on the vertebrates but also on the invertebrates of this locality. Especially with the discovery of several remarkably similar Konservat-Lagerstätten in China, the discoveries from Monte San Giorgio gained global relevance. New methodologies such as computed tomography produced a wealth of new data, particularly on endocranial anatomy of several tetrapods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we explore how China mobilised its unique whole-nation system (juguo tizhi) to become a global cultural power, focusing on the encounter between Chinese and global heritage discourses. This article is based on field ethnography of three World Heritage sites in Hangzhou, China: The West Lake Cultural Landscape, the Grand Canal of China, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City. The juguo tizhi is a hierarchical system mobilised to achieve national goals. In the process of China's 'successful' inscribing of cultural heritage sites based on juguo tizhi, we suggest that Chinese heritage discourses are compromised, and grassroots discourses are overshadowed. The juguo tizhi reinforces statist narratives more than it protects Chinese culture, which, we argue, is linked to the tensions between cultural and national nationalism. Furthermore, we suggest that China is now moving beyond the compromising Chinese heritage discourse phase to align with global heritage discourse, and has begun to present the Chinese discourse internationally, where the juguo tizhi is mobilised. It will be noteworthy to observe how this occurrence will affect China and the global heritage landscape in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience to severe crises like COVID-19 is critical for small businesses. However, little empirical research has been conducted to examine the crisis resilience of small businesses to the pandemic from the perspective of business operators. This research note aims at exploring the resilience of small tourism businesses to the COVID-19 crisis in a world heritage city. In-depth interviews with 25 operators were conducted and the results showed that the operators considered the pandemic crisis as a flame to the previous political and economic crises. Different resilience strategies such as business closure, survival, adaption and innovation were applied by different business operators. The results also confirmed that integration and togetherness helped businesses find better resilience when they share pains. The study further found that despite negative impacts, the pandemic created positive social impacts such as cohesion and solidarity among small businesses. In addition, the government supportive policies were not healing, and their plans in dealing with the crisis were not transparent and professional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Officially branding local heritage through recognised labels is a strategy that regions can use to promote economic development. Regions increasingly seek more sustainable tourism development, which can be captured by the quality of local tourist service development. This paper examines whether the UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) label is associated with local tourism development of a higher quality and offers the first comparative study across European regions. Using TripAdvisor reviews of over 38,000 European locations, our results reveal a positive correlation between WHS labelling and measures of perceived quality and breadth of local tourist services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poland has many wooden churches that require special protection under current climatic conditions. In this study, geographicl, land use, hydrological, climate, and meteorological data were collected for the area under investigation. Taking the six wooden churches near Krakow, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as examples, I qualitatively and quantitatively explored the impact of climatic conditions on the cultural heritage sites of Poland. Findings include the following: (i) the region is located at the headwaters of Polish rivers, with higher elevations making it less prone to major floods, thus reducing hydraulic impact on wooden churches; (ii) although the fire risk in the area of the wooden churches studied in this research is relatively low compared with that in Poland as a whole, the buffer zones of the wooden churches consist mainly of forests, grasslands, and farmland, with a low proportion of artificial surfaces and minimal human activity, leading to significant fire risks, notably, the Church of the Archangel Michael in Binarowa faces the greatest fire risk, with a fire weather index near 50%; (iii) under current climatic conditions, the relative humidity around the wooden churches typically exceeds safe levels for wooden structures year-round, only falling within protective ranges during the summer; (iv) on the basis of historical climate conditions over the past 40 years, the relative humidity in September and total annual precipitation in the study area show a significant increasing trend, indicating that the moisture protection pressure on the wooden churches in the area is expected to increase in the future. Finally, I offer specific guidelines for safeguarding and restoring Poland's wooden churches, focusing on moisture control, insulation, and drainage. This study is expected to offer potential data and theoretical support for future related work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) is a critical tool in managing cultural heritage, evaluating the impacts of development and construction projects on the visual aspects of heritage values. However, VIA is often constrained by subjectivity, low public participation, and a lack of generalizability. This study aims to develop a methodological framework for a more objective and comprehensive assessment of visual impacts on cultural heritage. The study establishes criteria for indicators based on the value attributes of cultural heritage, develops an assessment indicator system, and integrates visual sensitivity assessment through multi-factor calculations with visual perception assessment using the AHP method and questionnaire surveys. This constructs an assessment framework that combines both objectivity and subjectivity. The Shangri-La Hotel East Building project at the World Heritage site of the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, China, is employed as a case study to empirically demonstrate the framework's practicality and effectiveness. The results indicate that the Shangri-La East Building significantly impacts the attributes of the West Lake. The conclusion demonstrates that the indicator system, grounded in the attributes of cultural heritage, enhances the framework's applicability across different contexts. The integrated assessment framework, which includes both a quantitative assessment of visual sensitivity and a public-participation-based assessment of visual perception, is shown to be effective in predicting the visual impacts of proposed projects on heritage values. The study also underscores the importance of Heritage Impact Assessment as a preliminary evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on exploring the cognitive and affective perception of Hokkien ethnic Chinese born abroad visiting their hometown, Quanzhou, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study examines the interplay between the collective gaze, affective, and cognitive perception of diaspora visitors who visit Quanzhou to reclaim their cultural identity and explore new opportunities. The analysis was conducted using a combination of fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis and natural language processing techniques for sentiment analysis, based on 44 tourist interviews and 10 local key informant interviews. The results suggest that the primary image formed after the visit has a significant effect on the affective image and the affective attribute has a significant impact on the collective gaze and overall perceived image of diaspora visitors. These findings have important implications for destination image marketing and the sustainability of diaspora tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the seismic vulnerability of facades of historic masonry buildings is essential not only for their significant historical and heritage value, but also to evaluate the safety of this type of construction. This work applies a simplified methodology to assess the seismic vulnerability of the facade of masonry buildings in the historic center of Morelia, Michoacán, México. The historic center of Morelia was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. On the facades, there is ornamentation with sculptural and vegetal decorative elements. The methodology involved conducting visual inspections to identify the location, type of structure, construction materials, doors, windows, balconies, cornices, ironwork, pediments, niches, and sculptures, among other characteristic elements of colonial architecture. The seismic demands were determined specifically for the city's historic center based on a recent seismic hazard assessment of Morelia. Based on the methodology and the compiled database, characterized vulnerability indices were defined for the different damage scenarios that buildings may present. Results indicate that earthquakes with intensities greater than VIII on the Modified Mercalli scale risk collapsing heritage masonry buildings' facades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a critical analysis of the conservation of a historic earth building: the Saint Bartholomew's Church in Nigeria. It presents the conservation actions carried out through the application of conservation principles adapted to local context and contributes to building knowledge regarding building conservation in Africa. The conservation actions consisted of diagnostics, technical interventions and developing guidance for future maintenance of the building. The conservation was carried out between August 2021 and April 2023. A dualistic approach that combines local resources and internationally acceptable conservation practices was employed in the conservation of the church. This approach ensured that the appropriate interventions were carried out on the church building fabric simultaneously with training and knowledge exchange between experts from Nigeria and the UNESCO World Heritage site in Djenne, Bamako, Mali. This article highlights the challenges of conserving earthen architectural conservation in the 21st century and how these challenges can be mitigated through repair and documentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban riparian vegetation is frequently dominated by invasive weeds, whose growth is often attributed to the elevated nitrogen and phosphorous in urban waters and soils. However, less recognition is given to other urban contaminants that may influence riparian vegetation. Previous studies have indicated that the dissolution of concrete modifies water and soil geochemistry and potentially enhances the growth of invasive species. This study investigated the relationship between urban water quality and the growth of an invasive urban riparian weed, willow (Salix spp.), to examine the contribution and influence of concrete materials. The study used water from endangered upland peat wetlands within and adjoining the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, many of which are in urban catchments and suffer degradation from water pollution and invasive weeds. In this study, willow cuttings were grown in a laboratory using four water treatments: pristine (non-urban), urban, and non-urban water exposed to two different concrete materials. The urban and concrete-exposed water treatments were associated with increased plant growth measures in addition to increased concentrations of barium and strontium that bioaccumulated in plant tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe aim of this study is to present a novel measure of which pairs of human-made factors are most threatening to a Cultural World Heritage Site when time as well as its characteristics, including location, are controlled for. A system of Probit equations is employed on information from the UNESCO State of Conservation and World Heritage databases on the nine most frequently reported external threats (housing, tourism, transportation, destruction, illegal activities, land conversion, accommodation supply, loss of identity and war and civil unrest). This allows an analysis that covers all sites, with 22,190 observations over a time period of 45 years. Threats from war and civil unrest, destruction of heritage and illegal activities all appear in pairs and are strongly correlated with each other. There are also high positive correlations between threats from housing and land conversion, tourism and housing, accommodation and transportation as well as tourism and accommodation. Until 2009, there is an increase in the probability of threats, after that, stagnation is observed. Cultural World Heritage Sites in Africa and the Arab countries face the highest risk of a reported threat. Based on the novel measure, a second step of the analysis employing fixed-effects Logit estimations reveals that threats from tourism, housing and transportation are more seldom identified if the site in question has a management plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, global warming, invasive alien species and tourism development pose major threats to Natural World Heritage sites, and the strengthening of conservation methods and management programs in buffer zones is urgent for the sustainable development of sites. Agroforestry, as a nature-based solution, not only promotes the buffer zone to effectively maintain the Outstanding Universal Value of the heritage site, but also balances the relationship between the conservation of the heritage site and the economic development of the buffer zone, and effectively enhances the protection of the buffer zone in response to various threats. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive understanding of research trends, research focuses, and recent developments, regarding the conservation of natural heritage sites and buffer zone agroforestry development. Therefore, this study utilized the Scopus database along with Excel and Bibliometrix software to conduct a bibliometric analysis and explore and visualize popular research topics and foreword issues related to Natural World Heritage conservation and buffer zone agroforestry development. We discuss the current publication trends and quantity, keyword and abstract word frequencies, thematic maps and evolutions, journal productivity, national publication outputs, collaboration relationships, and contributing institutions. The research shows that the relationship between biodiversity conservation and agroforestry has been the focus of research in the field since 1992, and the development of agroforestry has contributed to biodiversity conservation in heritage sites. However, there have been fewer studies addressing the geomorphic and aesthetic value of agroforestry conservation, and little attention has been paid to buffer zone development. Based on this, this manuscript suggests that in the future, emphasis should be placed on the linkage between the development of buffer zones and heritage conservation, especially in the Karst World Heritage Sites with ecologically fragile, and that the role of agroforestry development in buffer zones should be strengthened in the promotion of ecological balance and sustainable development of the sites, to provide scientific references for the conservation and development of other geoheritage sites around the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates long-term adaptation and resilience to floods at World Heritage sites through a case study of Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, Vietnam. Drawing on fieldwork observation, document review, and unstructured interviews conducted in Hoi An, we examine the enduring processes and experiences of co-living with floods. The article considers residents’ ability to comprehend, acknowledge, and address the challenges of flooding using the conceptual lens of adaptation and adversity acceptance as resilience. Our findings reveal an inseparable bond between residents and their built environment, encompassing invaluable lessons and experiences, local beliefs, resource availability, and adaptive strategies aimed at harmonious cohabitation with flooding described as ‘leaning into nature’. Strikingly, residents have developed their own practices and identities shaped by the town’s inundation by flood waters over a few centuries. Various modern flood prevention measures trace their origins to historical efforts, underscoring the vital role of traditional knowledge and practices in coping with the impacts of climate change. Those efforts are also framed within the local policy context such as Heritage Management Plan, Disaster Risk Management Plan, and Regulation for the Protection of the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The revisit intention of tourists has long been a focal point of academic inquiry. However, there is still insufficient research on the antecedents of revisit intention from the perspectives of historical storytelling, destination image and perceived value. Taking the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a case study, this paper, based on stimulus–organism–response (SOR) theory, examines the impact of historical storytelling on the destination image, perceived value, and revisit intention. Additionally, it further explores the mediating role of destination image and perceived value, as well as the moderating effect of place attachment in this chain. The research findings indicate that: (1) Historical storytelling significantly enhances tourists' perception of the tourism experience and revisit intention; (2) The study supports the mediating effect of destination image and perceived value; (3) Place attachment has a significant positive moderating effect between historical storytelling and revisit intention. Effective historical storytelling can significantly enhance destination image and perceived value, improve tourists' participation and satisfaction in tourism, stimulate revisit intention, and promote the sustainable development of tourist destinations. These findings enrich the research content of cultural heritage tourism, providing valuable suggestions for improving the management level of cultural heritage tourism attractions and increasing visitors' revisit intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World Heritage Sites (WHS) possess outstanding universal value (OUV) centered on science and aesthetics, and the large scale of tourism has a certain influence on sustainable development, which will have some degree influence on the quality of tourist service and experience. Taking the World Natural Heritage Site Mount Sanqingshan National Park in China as a case, we collected 535 samples of tourists and used structural equation modeling as a methodology to construct a theoretical framework from the perspective of tourists' perception, including tourism crowding (functional crowding, personal crowding, and social crowding), service quality (interpretation, goods, commuting, accommodation, and catering), tourists' satisfaction, and OUV attractiveness as intermediary variables. The results were: (1) tourist crowding has a substantial negative influence on satisfaction, and the negative influence on OUV attractiveness is not tenable; (2) service quality has a substantial positive impact on OUV attractiveness and satisfaction; (3) the tourists' perception of OUV attractiveness has a mediating influence on service quality and satisfaction, but there is no mediating impact on tourism crowding and satisfaction; (4) this paper puts forward the SCA-S (service, crowding, attractiveness, and satisfaction) framework of WHS, and explores impact factors and mechanisms of visitor satisfaction of WHS from different aspects. The relevant research conclusions have some theoretical value and practical significance for the interpretation and display of heritage value, improved service quality, and tourism experience, and they are conducive to protecting WHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpine natural heritage sites hold significant value due to their unique global resources. Studying land cover changes in these areas is crucial for maintaining and preserving multiple their values. This study takes Kalajun-Kuerdening, one of the components of Xinjiang Tianshan World Natural Heritage Site, as an example to analyze land cover changes and their driving factors in alpine heritage sites. Highlights include: (1) Between 1994 and 2023, Forest and Grassland increased by 55.96 km2 and 18.16 km2, with notable forest growth from 2007 to 2017. Trends in Forest changes align with forest protection policies, and a substantial amount of Bareland converted to Grassland indicates an increase in vegetation cover. (2) Elevation, precipitation, temperature, and evapotranspiration are key drivers of land cover changes, as validated by Random Forest algorithm and Geodetector model. (3) Favorable conditions for Grassland to Forest transition include annual precipitation between 275 and 375 mm, annual temperature between −2 and 3 °C, annual evapotranspiration between 580 and 750 mm, elevation between 1800 and 2600 m, and aspect between 0 to 110° and 220 to 259.9°. Continuous monitoring of land cover changes and their driving factors in mountain heritage sites contributes to the protection of the ecological environment and provides data and information support for addressing climate change, resource management, and policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World Heritage Sites (WHS) are unique places of cultural or natural significance. However, the increasing demand to visit these sites threatens conservation efforts. Visitor flows exceeding carrying capacity pose risks such as physical deterioration, economic imbalance, negative interactions between visitors and local communities, and cultural erosion. Visitor management mitigates these risks by ensuring the preservation and sustainability of heritage sites, balancing environmental, cultural, and economic factors, and safeguarding these sites for future generations while enhancing the visitor experience. The Bağlar, Kıranköy, and Çukur (Historical Bazaar) districts of Safranbolu are designated WHS. Known as the "capital of conservation," the city preserves its cultural and natural fabric, maintaining its originality and integrity. Most visitors to Safranbolu concentrate on the Historical Bazaar, while the Bağlar and Kıranköy districts receive comparatively little attention. This study analyzes the relationship between cultural heritage and tourism and management tools through document analysis and examines spatial conditions through fieldwork.The study explores Safranbolu's promotion, tour programs, and itineraries, investigating the reasons behind visitors' preference for the Historical Bazaar, and evaluates Safranbolu's visitor management. Recommendations regarding goals and actions to balance visitor distribution and promote other districts were made to contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of tourism in historic areas imposes immense pressure on heritage conservation, leading to issues such as commercial encroachment and the loss of cultural uniqueness in many domestic areas. Dayan Ancient Town, as an integral part of the Old Town of Lijiang, a World Cultural Heritage Site, faces increasing challenges due to commercialization. This paper explores the cultural and commercial development of Dayan Ancient Town from the perspective of tourist perception. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), this study develops an evaluation system and visualization to analyze both cultural and commercial perceptions of tourists. The findings reveal that tourists' cultural perception of the town is limited, while their commercial perception is prominent. Furthermore, the study examines the distribution of cultural attractions and commercial establishments, revealing that the current cultural attractions can't contribute to high and continuous cultural perception results. The study finally proposes recommendations for enhancing tourist perception of the ancient town, such as establishing multi-level protection and development strategies, infusing cultural attributes into business, and expanding cultural attraction clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Grand Canal is a network which for over one millennium connected the rice growing regions of southern China with the centres of political power in the north. During the 19th and 20th centuries it fell into decline. In the 1980s calls for the Grand Canal's heritage preservation appeared. China's heritage system was transitioning from a focus on 'cultural relics' to that of 'cultural heritage'. This transition involved the theorisation, construction, and governance of a 'cultural market' in the context of an expanding leisure economy and mobile society. We seek here to outline features of the heritagisation of the Grand Canal that constitute an example of cultural route heritage as mobility narrative. Firstly, we bring attention to the ways in which the 'Dayunhe' was rediscovered, valorised and subject to a dramatic transformation in its conceived heritage value. Secondly, we examine how the Grand Canal is indicative of China's growing interest in 'mobility narratives' including that of the Belt and Road Initiative. We argue that this not only reflects the project to develop narratives that bind the population to the story of the nation, but also the expansion in mobility and connectivity domestically and internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a book by Michael D. Calabria titled "The Language of the Taj Mahal: Islam, Prayer, and the Religion of Shah Jahan." The book examines the Taj Mahal's inscriptional cycle in connection with Shah Jahan's religiosity and personal life. It provides new perspectives on the monument and its relationship to religion and culture in early modern India. The book is commended for its refreshing perspective on Shah Jahan and its exploration of the performative nature of architectural spaces. It is recommended for those interested in architectural history and religious history. [Extracted from the article]

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The influence of cartographic representation of landslides on susceptibility models is well-known but often neglected by academic studies, which rarely explore its practical implications. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by evaluating the impact of different landslide sampling strategies on statistical models of landslide susceptibility in Ouro Preto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in South-eastern Brazil. The study's main objective was to assess how different landslide sampling strategies affected statistical susceptibility models. It adopted an innovative methodological approach that categorized dependent variables between training and test subgroups, adopting both balanced and unbalanced divisions of dependent variables, and focusing on shallow and deep landslides. In addition, the study introduced a systematic and critical approach to cartographic representation, providing valuable insights for future research and practice on landslide susceptibility mapping. Eighteen models were produced using an inventory with 57 historical landslides mapped with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The area and volume of these landslides were determined. Three divisions of dependent variables were adopted between training and test subgroups: one balanced division, with large and deep landslides in both subgroups, and two unbalanced divisions, with a predominance of large and deep landslides in the training subgroup or test subgroup. The construction of landslide susceptibility models employed the information value method, validated through success and prediction curves. The results show the significant influence of cartographic representation (point or polygon) on the quality of statistical models and the spatial distribution of susceptibility classes. The polygonal cartographic representation and balanced partition of dependent variables produced the best results. However, it is emphasized that this cartographic representation is not universally optimal in other contexts. The worst result was obtained using a point and random cartographic representation. Overall, findings indicate the need for more accurate landslide inventories and databases, possibly through standards and regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores strategies to promote sustainable tourism for people living in natural areas through a case study implemented in the renowned World Natural Heritage Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, a World Heritage Site inscribed for its natural values. The study is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Program's Chinese Pilot Studies. Various interventions, including understanding local values, revitalizing traditional handicrafts, and making culinary innovations, were implemented to enrich tourist experiences, empower local communities, and boost economic opportunities. Based on these interventions, this paper discusses community capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and conflict resolution as initiatives to enhance heritage conservation and promote sustainable tourism at the community level. On the level of the World Heritage property, a new management zone, the Traditional Eco-agricultural Heritage Zone, recognized the residency of the locals within the heritage site and fostered the harmonious co-existence of culture and nature. The successful integration of heritage conservation, community development, and sustainable tourism in Wulingyuan not only ensures the conservation of the site but also contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This case study offers a model for sustainable development of Natural World Heritage Sites, emphasizing the importance of respecting and involving diverse local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the growing recognition and implementation of living landscape conservation, which emphasizes holistic approaches, partnership, and community engagement in protected area management. It highlights the recent passage of the National Heritage Area Act as a significant milestone in this transformation. The article also explores various case studies and perspectives on heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, agricultural lands, and the intersection of politics and landscape conservation. Overall, the article emphasizes the need for collaboration, respect for diverse perspectives, and creative approaches in landscape conservation. [Extracted from the article]

The study of materials and constructive systems for the conservation and preservation of architectural heritage is of great relevance in the case of the Royal Alcazar of Seville, a World Heritage Site since 1987. This palatial complex stands out for its plasterwork decorations and this work aims to study the most significant anomaly: the detachment of all the pineapples presented on the sebka surfaces. The present study focused on the organoleptic inspection of pineapples, together with a planimetric survey and the study of their environmental conditions. The study developed has allowed (i) to establish the hypothesis of the different fixation systems used over time; (ii) to identify anomalies present in decorative pineapples; and (iii) to analyse recent emergency actions undertaken in the pineapples to prevent their detachment. The results obtained represent novel information of historical, artistic, and constructive interest in these ornamental pieces in plaster, useful for future conservation and restoration interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on the observation of gaps in current research, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the spatial patterns of heritage sites along the Silk Road, focusing on how historical trade routes shaped what are now recognized as heritage sites. Using data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List, the research examines heritage sites across Eurasia and North Africa, with a specific emphasis on the Silk Road corridors. This study employs a spatiotemporal approach, categorizing sites into northern overland routes and southern maritime routes to highlight regional variations in network development. The key findings of this study reveal the significant influence of historical trade routes on the development of settlements, cities, and cultural landmarks along the Silk Road. These findings identify clear trends in the Silk Road network's evolution over time, illustrating a shift in its spatial focus across different historical periods. Initially, the network was centered in the eastern Mediterranean during the Classical Period. In the medieval period, this focus expanded to include a dual core area in both the eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia. By the late Medieval period, the network had shifted again, with a new core emerging in Europe. This chronological and spatial analysis allows for a detailed examination of the Silk Road network's heritage landscape evolution. The study underscores the interconnectedness of heritage sites across these regions, contributing to a deeper understanding of how landscape connectivity and trade network dynamics evolved over time. Furthermore, by identifying patterns of network development and shifts in centrality and density, this research offers valuable insights for the conservation and management of heritage landscapes. These findings are particularly crucial for preserving the historical and cultural integrity of Silk Road heritage sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Natural Heritage Sites (WNHSs), which have unique ecosystems, ecological landscapes, and biodiversity, are the common heritage of all of humanity. The evolutionary pathway of ecosystem services (ESs) in the Karst WNHS between the years 2000 and 2020 has been examined, and the trade-offs and synergies among the ESs have been quantified. This research serves as a point of reference for the rational utilization of natural resources and for the protection of the ecological environment within the Karst WNHS. This research aims to assess the following ESs in the Karst WNHS, for the period 2000–2020: water conservation (WC), soil conservation (SC), carbon sequestration (CS), and habitat quality (HQ). Additionally, the objective of this study is to examine the space–time evolution of these ESs. Spearman's correlation coefficient and spatial auto-correlation analyses were utilized to ascertain the temporal and spatial trade-offs and synergies for each ES. The results of this study indicate the following: (1) Between the years 2000 and 2020, the inter-annual changes in HQ and CS at the Shibing and Libo-Huanjiang WNHS exhibited a relatively stable pattern, with a gradual increasing trend, and in contrast, the inter-annual changes in WC and SC exhibited greater fluctuations; (2) the distribution of ESs is closely linked to land use patterns, and woodland is the most critical land type of the ESs, contributing the most to each ES; (3) population density is negatively correlated with various ecosystem services, while GDP is positively correlated with each ecosystem service; and (4) the Karst WNHS in Southern China demonstrates a clear and significant synergistic relationship between WC and CS. This relationship is primarily characterised by a strong synergistic effect. The synergistic relationship between HQ and WC exhibited a weakening trend within both study areas. Furthermore, the SC demonstrated a spatial trade-off relation with HQ, CS, and WC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt marshes in the southern North Sea are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wadden Sea, the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world. They provide a very high nature value while significantly contributing to coastal flood and erosion risk management as a nature-based element of flood and erosion risk management systems for densely populated coastal areas. Climate change-induced sea-level rise is a significant concern: an integrated approach to salt marsh management adapted to the effects of climate change necessitates an understanding of the impact of different management strategies. This review commences with a description of the biogeomorphological conditions and processes in salt marshes for a better understanding of the natural dynamics and how they are influenced by management and climate change. Next, the impact of salt marshes on hydrodynamic processes and their role as nature-based elements of flood and erosion risk management is presented; management options and implementation methods are discussed and analysed concerning coastal flood management and nature conservation requirements. In conclusion, targeted salt marsh management needs to consider the initial conditions and the development aims of the specific site are integrated into a conceptual framework. Salt marshes have the potential to adapt to sea-level rise, thereby contributing to the long-term protection of coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although tour guides' role in encouraging pro-environmental behavior has been confirmed in the literature, little research has been undertaken to examine how world heritage site (WHS) type may influence the relationship between tour guides' performance and tourists' pro-environmental behavior. The difference between cultural world heritage and natural world heritage in terms of tourists' behavior is under-explored. This research aims to assess the moderating effect of world heritage type (cultural and natural) on the relationship between tour guides' performance and tourists' pro-environmental behavior. A self-administrated survey was used for collecting data from two of the most famous natural and cultural WHSs: Petra Archeological Park in Jordan and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. PLS-SEM was employed to conduct multi-group and path analysis. The results showed that world heritage type partially moderates the relationship between the performance of tour guides, tourists' experience, satisfaction, and pro-environmental behavior. Managerial and theoretical implications and research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations into how ecotourist resorts and their visitors impact local ecosystems and their wildlife have produced mixed results. One characteristic of ecotourist infrastructure is anthropogenic noise, and especially how fluctuations of visitors contribute to it. Furthermore, we do not understand how these noise levels influence animal species richness and/or assemblages. Here, we used passive acoustic recording over nine months to quantify how variation in weekly and seasonal human activity influence local bird assemblages at a popular ecotourist resort situated on K'gari (Fraser Island), Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an Important Bird Area (Birdlife International). Background noise levels were highest during peak tourist season, especially proximate to main buildings. This noise was primarily associated with machinery and vehicles, but not human voices or music. Bird species richness correlated with noise (levels and detections), but did not appear to be sensitive to peak seasons or human voices. Community composition, however, was influenced by temporal and spatial fluctuations across peak tourist seasons. This study has implications for the development and maintenance of ecotourist infrastructure attempting to support visitors seeking sightings of rare or sensitive bird species and highlights anthropogenic noise as an important consideration for the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The historic city of Macau is China's 31st world heritage site, and its residents have actively contributed to preserving its heritage and will continue to reside there for the foreseeable future. Residents' satisfaction with the current urban environment is closely related to the landscape characteristics of the towns surrounding the historic center of Macau. This study aims to analyze the relationship between landscape characteristics and residents' satisfaction, determine the key factors affecting their satisfaction and how they are combined, and provide a scientific basis for urban planning. This study used a decision tree machine learning model to analyze 524 questionnaire survey responses that addressed five aspects of the historic town's landscape: the architectural, Largo Square, street, mountain and sea, and commercial landscapes. The data-driven approach helped find the best decision path. The results indicate that (1) the layout of Largo Square, the commercial colors and materials, the location of the former humanities and religion center, and the commercial signage system are the primary factors influencing residents' satisfaction. (2) Incorporating decision tree parameters with information entropy as the splitting criterion and a minimum sample split number of two (with no maximum depth) led to the best performance when investigating residents' satisfaction with Macau's historic town landscape characteristics. (3) A reasonable layout for Largo Square (satisfaction > 3.50), prominent and harmonious commercial colors and materials (satisfaction > 3.50), rich cultural and religious elements (satisfaction > 4.50), and an excellent commercial signage system (satisfaction > 4.00) can significantly improve residents' satisfaction. This provides important empirical support and a reference for urban planning and landscape design in Macau and other historical and cultural cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Han Dynasty Ruins in Chengcun Village of Wuyishan City, also known as the Ruins of the Imperial City of the Minyue Kingdom, are located on the hilly slope southwest of Chengcun Village, Xingtian Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, China. These are ruins of a Han Dynasty city. Wuyi Mountain's World Cultural and Natural Heritage Committee declared it a World Heritage Site in 1999. It is also the only imperial city site from the Han Dynasty that has been declared a World Heritage Site in China, and it is the most well-preserved large-scale imperial city site from the Middle Ages on the Pacific Rim. This study used comprehensive archaeological techniques, including archaeological excavation work, site information recording, erosion situation analysis, and geological surveys, to design and implement protective engineering projects in response to existing problems. In this study, the researchers conducted a geological survey of the study area to analyze the topography, rock and soil distribution characteristics, groundwater storage conditions, and geotechnical engineering conditions. At the same time, they explored the preservation status of the site, including the preservation status of the East Gate and the East City Wall, and they analyzed the causes of damage. Finally, the investigation and analysis results guided the design of a site display project, which included safeguarding against collapse and erosion, treating trees and shrubs, and designing the exhibition project for the East Gate. This study provides some practical reference for the excavation and archaeological work of the royal city in the surrounding areas. At the same time, in terms of the technical process of the project, it is also hoped to provide ideas for international ancient city excavation, display, and protection projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]