Search

Writer identification form historical manuscripts presents a challenging problem with significant implications for understanding the authorship of ancient texts. In this paper, we propose a novel deep learning framework tailored for the task of historical manuscripts writer identification. Our approach leverages data-driven features, harnessing the power of neural networks to extract and learn discriminative patterns from handwritten historical documents. The key innovation of our framework lies in its ability to automatically discover and utilize relevant features from data to profile the writer, eliminating the need for manual feature engineering. Our methodology encompasses three well-defined steps: initially, manuscript preprocessing involves image denoising using advanced techniques such as non-local means and total-variation, followed by binarization using a Canny-edge detector. In the subsequent phase, we employ Harris corner detector for automatic key-point detection and clustering, allowing us to identify the regions of interest within the documents. Lastly, the features extracted from these regions are subjected to classification through transfer learning, utilizing a deep learning-based model specifically trained on the extracted patches. To achieve the final document-level identification, we enhance the system accuracy by implementing a majority vote scheme, where the aggregated decisions from multiple patches contribute to the ultimate classification outcome. We validate our approach on "ICDAR 2017" dataset, spanning different periods and writing styles of historical manuscripts. Experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of our method in accurately identifying the authors of historical documents, surpassing existing techniques. Moreover, our framework exhibits robustness in scenarios where limited training data is available. This work not only contributes to the field of historical manuscripts analysis but also highlights the potential of deep learning in solving intricate problems in the realm of document analysis and authorship attribution. Our framework offers a promising avenue for scholars and historians to gain deeper insights into the authors of historical texts, opening new doors for historical research and preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article explores the trajectory of vernacular architectural documentation and preservation in China, including both notable successes and unfortunate failures. While the documentation and preservation of monuments of the past have a long-recorded history, the story of the 'discovery', documentation, and preservation of vernacular sites—individual structures as well as building complexes—is less known. This essay presents how 'outsiders'—mainly intrepid academics within China—travelled to out-of-the-way villages and towns after 1949 to find historic structures that were known to local residents but not to the broader world, even within China. Tragically, their findings were unpublished for decades. During politically charged periods, there was an orgy of calamitous destruction of countless vernacular buildings, an astonishing loss caused by the abandonment, renovation for alternative uses, and even razing of historic residences, temples, lineage halls, bridges, and walls in both rural and urban areas. Despite these enormous losses, many today marvel at the abundance of seemingly 'historic' structures that are still standing. This essay examines the roots of this apparent contradiction. Rural revitalisation has become a national issue for China in recent decades. In support of this initiative, an extraordinary amount of successful historic preservation work in villages has been accomplished. Today, unlike in the past, heritage protection focuses on broader village landscapes rather than on individual buildings. The challenges of preserving architectural sites are centred around issues of restoration versus recreation as well as redevelopment, that is, demolition followed by reconstruction. The commodification of heritage through the acceleration of tourism continues to have both positive and negative impacts. Judgements about authenticity often continue to be at odds with investors' need to recoup costs and ensure ongoing profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brick warehouses represent interdisciplinary heritage sites developed by social, cultural, and economic impacts. This study aimed to connect warehouse details and GIS maps in augmented reality (AR) based on the former Camphor Refinery Workshop Warehouse. AR was applied as an innovation interface to communicate the differences between construction details, providing a feasible on-site solution for articulating historical brick engineering technology. A complex warehouse cluster was georeferenced by the AR models of brick details. The map was assisted by a smartphone-based comparison of the details of adjacent warehouses. Sixty AR models of warehouse details exemplified the active and sustainable preservation of the historical artifacts. The side-by-side allocation of warehouse details in AR facilitated cross-comparisons of construction differences. We found that a second reconstructed result integrated AR and reality in a novel manner based on the use of a smartphone AR. GIS and AR facilitated a management effort using webpages and cloud access from a remote site. The vocabulary of building details can be enriched and better presented in AR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges posed by conserving historical earthen structures in seismic-prone regions prompted the initiation of the Seismic Retrofitting Project (SRP) by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and the Ministry of Culture of Peru. Since 2009, the SRP has aimed to enhance the structural performance and safety of historic earthen buildings while preserving their historical fabric by combining traditional techniques, local materials, and technical expertise with advanced computational tools. The project has focused on four Peruvian earthen buildings as case studies, including the seventeenth-century adobe church of Kuñotambo. An intervention was carried out between 2016 and 2019 by the regional branch of the Ministry of Culture in Cusco based on techniques developed by the SRP. The GCI is now working on a monitoring and maintenance plan for the site, collaborating with local stakeholders, including the Ministry of Culture of Peru in Cusco, the Archdiocese of Cusco, and the community of Kuñotambo. This paper primarily discusses the practical aspects of on-site monitoring, including the tools and techniques used to track changes in the building and its decorated surfaces. It also outlines the implementation of a structural health monitoring system and the development of capacity-building activities for Latin American engineers. The overarching goal is to provide a sustainable framework for the long-term preservation of historic earthen structures in seismic-prone regions, highlighting the importance of community involvement and multidisciplinary collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the nomination of the Williams Avenue YWCA in Portland, Oregon, in the National Register of Historic Places as a crucial event in recognizing and preserving Black heritage within American national history. Our analytical framework combines Black geography and multilevel governance theory (MLG) to examine documents used for the nomination process. We unpack the historic significance of the Williams, illustrating its multifaceted role in Portland's African American community and emphasizing the role of various private and public actors in the nomination process. This analysis reveals that cities play a crucial role in protecting local history and highlights the importance of nurturing connections between cities and other levels of government. Moreover, it illustrates how the documents used for the nomination process are a tool for racial equity and it shows how historic preservation contributes to a more inclusive understanding of cities by celebrating their local, diverse, and pluralistic pasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a single-class and multi-class instance segmentation approach applied to ancient Palmyrene inscriptions, employing two state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms, namely YOLOv8 and Roboflow 3.0. The goal is to contribute to the preservation and understanding of historical texts, showcasing the potential of modern deep learning methods in archaeological research. Our research culminates in several key findings and scientific contributions. We comprehensively compare the performance of YOLOv8 and Roboflow 3.0 in the context of Palmyrene character segmentation—this comparative analysis mainly focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of each algorithm in this context. We also created and annotated an extensive dataset of Palmyrene inscriptions, a crucial resource for further research in the field. The dataset serves for training and evaluating the segmentation models. We employ comparative evaluation metrics to quantitatively assess the segmentation results, ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of our findings and we present custom visualization tools for predicted segmentation masks. Our study advances the state of the art in semi-automatic reading of Palmyrene inscriptions and establishes a benchmark for future research. The availability of the Palmyrene dataset and the insights into algorithm performance contribute to the broader understanding of historical text analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the impact of urban design performance qualities on pedestrian behavior in a cultural heritage site designated by UNESCO. The study employs a multi-method approach, including a questionnaire survey, empirical observation of pedestrian activities, and empirical axial line and visibility graph analysis using the space syntax technique. The first part of the study involved a questionnaire formatted as a polling sheet to gather expert assessments of spatial performance measures. The second part used a pilot survey to capture the perspectives of end users regarding the study's objectives and their perceptions of the site. Pedestrian flow was observed using a technique called "gate counts", with observations recorded as video clips during specific morning and afternoon periods across three pedestrian zones. The study also examined the behavioral patterns of pedestrians, including their movement patterns. Finally, the ArcGIS 10.3.1 software was employed to evaluate the reliability of the results. The main finding of this research is that pedestrian behavior and walkability in the historical areas are significantly influenced by landmark integration, wayfinding behavior, and the socio-economic functions of heritage sites. This study highlights the importance of using cognitive and syntactic analysis, community engagement, and historical preservation to enhance walkability, accessibility, and social interaction in heritage contexts. In addition, it identifies the need for improvements in urban design to address inconsistencies between syntactic maps and actual pedestrian flow, emphasizing the role of imageability and the impact of environmental and aesthetic factors on pedestrian movement. This research provides valuable insights for urban designers and planners, environmental psychologists, architects, and policymakers by highlighting the key elements that make urban spaces walkable, aiming to enhance the quality of public spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Planning Education & Research is the property of Sage Publications Inc. 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.)

The urban living environment is a crucial determinant of the well-being and survival of city residents in modern society. Accurately evaluating the Quality of Human Settlements (QHS) and identifying its influencing factors are essential for advancing sustainable urban development. This study develops an assessment system for the Quality of Human Settlements Index (QHSI) by integrating three dimensions and 29 sub-indicators. The AHP and VIKOR methods are employed to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the QHS while proposing a factor system of QHS-influencing indicators based on four dimensions and 29 sub-indicators. Additionally, a novel hybrid RBFNN and GARSON method is introduced to identify the importance of QHS-influencing factors. Using Wuhan, China, as a case study, the results reveal that (1) RBFNN-GARSON demonstrates robustness and generalization ability under optimal parameters, effectively revealing the inherent relationships between QHS-influencing indicators and evaluation indicators; and (2) the overall QHSI for Wuhan City is 0.724, with the importance of cultural facilities, historic district preservation, and street cleanliness identified as 0.060, 0.057, and 0.056, respectively, denoting them as the most critical factors influencing the QHS. This method is expected to provide city managers with a deeper understanding of the QHS, enabling them to formulate policies more efficiently, ultimately promoting social progress and enhancing residents' sense of achievement and happiness. This study contributes to the advancement of sustainable urban development and residents' well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout history, the architecture of worship structures has been shaped based on different cultures and belief systems during the Roman, Seljuk, Anatolian Principalities, and Ottoman periods. Additionally, it is understood that the sociocultural and ritual structure in which the worship place is built plays a significant role in church architecture. In province of Ordu, rich in historical and cultural heritage, historical structures outside the city center have not been well preserved. In recent years, neglected historical structures have been restored through various methods with public investments, aiming to reintegrate them into urban life. Through chemical and mineralogical (by microscopy) examinations aimed at determining the types of historical structural materials used for this purpose, the preservation of historical structures in Ordu province and their transfer to future generations is targeted. Church structures, holding a distinct significance in the region's history, exhibit various characteristics in terms of location, climate, and sociocultural and ritual aspects in the Black Sea region. In this regard, the restoration of the historical Taşbaşı Church in the Altınordu district of Ordu province has been carried out considering scientific techniques and methods, serving as a guide for similar studies in the region in terms of laboratory analysis, studies, planning, project development, and implementation stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban tourism has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by various factors that foster the transformation of urban areas into tourist hotspots. These factors include a rising interest in culture and heritage, ongoing urban redevelopment and conversion processes, and the introduction of new experiences and activities. Two particularly influential factors contributing to this growth are low-cost travel, which facilitates more accessible access to urban destinations, and the emergence of new types of accommodation, such as short-term rental (also known as local accommodation or Airbnb-type accommodation). The sudden and continuous growth of this type of tourist accommodation brings new challenges to cities and local communities. On the positive side, it contributes to job opportunities, the dynamism of the local economy, and urban revitalization. On the other hand, it also represents more difficulty in retaining the local population in city centers, as more and more buildings are converted into hostels and tourist apartments. In this context, it becomes essential to conduct studies evaluating the impacts of these dynamics in urban areas and how they influence residents' and visitors' perspectives. Therefore, this study aims to identify the main transformations resulting from short-term rental (STR) development, focusing on the impacts felt by tourists and residents in Porto. A questionnaire was distributed to tourists and residents in Porto's city center in June 2023. The results reveal differences in opinions between tourists and residents, particularly concerning historical heritage preservation, local population relocation, and reduced housing availability for residents. Nevertheless, there is a similarity in their opinions regarding the stimulus that local accommodation brings to the economy and the rehabilitation of buildings and urban areas. This study reinforces the need to pay more attention to the future development of tourist accommodation in city centers, especially regarding local policies and territorial planning, to balance better tourism development and local communities' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

In the contemporary era of urban design, the advent of big data and digital technologies has ushered in innovative approaches to exploring urban spaces. This study focuses on the application of Augmented Reality (AR) and Extended Reality (XR) technologies in the metropolitan areas of Houston and Amsterdam. These technologies create immersive 'Phygital Installations' that blend physical and digital elements, effectively capturing people's perceptions and enhancing urban design proposals. By fostering human-centered planning, AR and XR technologies make urban design more interactive and accessible to the public. Houston, with its rapid industrial growth and diverse socio-economic landscape, provides a unique setting to examine the impacts of these technologies on urban form and socio-environmental dynamics. In contrast, Amsterdam, with its rich historical layers and socio-cultural diversity, offers insights into the integration of AR/XR technologies in urban planning, particularly in the realm of historical preservation and contemporary urban development. This research contributes to the emerging field of AR/XR in urban design by highlighting the transformative potential of these technologies in enhancing the understanding and engagement in urban design and spatial planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arts and historic preservation are well-established as strategies that can underpin urban planning and development. Although there is documented alignment between the arts and preservation, they are not typically formally integrated in city planning and existing research tends to address one or other, but not their integration. We fill this gap through an exploration of the intersection of the arts and historic preservation. We focus on who employs these strategies and why, the synergies and tensions between these practices, and how the arts and preservation relate to contemporary urban development in terms of gentrification, community control, and placemaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bazaars are considered essential components of a society's economy and significant features in the urban context of cities, which have emerged based on exchanging goods and meeting people's needs. Since the late Qajar period, amidst the rapid changes resulting from interaction with modernization, the form of Tabriz Grand Bazaar has undergone significant changes. The research aims to explain the contemporary transformations of marketplace form in the leather and shoe sectors. The objectives aim to elucidate the contemporary physical, functional, and sementic changes and propose strategies. The research method is qualitative, with a phenomenological approach. The results indicate that the Bazaar has lost some physical and sementic functions. Despite providing goods, it has failed to meet the public's demands because of eliminating production workshops by changing the productive function to service-oriented and the size and shape of spaces. The decline of religious activities is also one reason for the diminished sementic dimension. Regarding functional and physical aspects, some proposed solutions include preserving the authenticity of the spaces and utilizing suitable Functions with the dominant architectural style. Regarding sementic characteristics, suggestions include enhancing the sense of identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When profit-driven renewal is difficult to implement, many historic districts in China become "frozen" under protection. In the recent social context of "building cities for the people", public value-oriented renewal of urban historic areas has become crucial in city transformation. This study investigates strategies for historic district regeneration in China by integrating spatial form, urban governance, and public value. We propose a novel framework to analyze the regeneration of historic districts, using Taiyuan's Bell Tower Street as a case study. The framework distinguishes between two dimensions: spatial and economic–social. In the spatial dimension, we focus on the transformation of spatial form to regenerate public value, emphasizing the attribute of "publicness" as central to urban regeneration efforts. This involves a tiered approach to excavating and upgrading historic districts at macro, meso, and micro levels. The economic–social dimension explores urban governance to enhance public value through collaboration between government, market, and societal actors. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, including document reviews, interviews, field observations, and statistical data analysis. The analysis highlights that a public value-oriented approach to heritage regeneration can balance historical preservation with contemporary urban needs, offering a sustainable model for other cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ABI Technik is the property of De Gruyter 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.)

Abstract This review article explores the trajectory of vernacular architectural documentation and preservation in China, including both notable successes and unfortunate failures. While the documentation and preservation of monuments of the past have a long-recorded history, the story of the ‘discovery’, documentation, and preservation of vernacular sites—individual structures as well as building complexes—is less known. This essay presents how ‘outsiders’—mainly intrepid academics within China—travelled to out-of-the-way villages and towns after 1949 to find historic structures that were known to local residents but not to the broader world, even within China. Tragically, their findings were unpublished for decades. During politically charged periods, there was an orgy of calamitous destruction of countless vernacular buildings, an astonishing loss caused by the abandonment, renovation for alternative uses, and even razing of historic residences, temples, lineage halls, bridges, and walls in both rural and urban areas. Despite these enormous losses, many today marvel at the abundance of seemingly ‘historic’ structures that are still standing. This essay examines the roots of this apparent contradiction. Rural revitalisation has become a national issue for China in recent decades. In support of this initiative, an extraordinary amount of successful historic preservation work in villages has been accomplished. Today, unlike in the past, heritage protection focuses on broader village landscapes rather than on individual buildings. The challenges of preserving architectural sites are centred around issues of restoration versus recreation as well as redevelopment, that is, demolition followed by reconstruction. The commodification of heritage through the acceleration of tourism continues to have both positive and negative impacts. Judgements about authenticity often continue to be at odds with investors’ need to recoup costs and ensure ongoing profits.

Studies of early gentrification have largely focused on cases of White gentrifiers in predominately White and Latinx low-income neighborhoods, which has overlooked the role of the Black middle-class and the presence of Black gentrifiers in early gentrification. In this article, we document the role of the Black middle-class in early gentrification in 1970s Fort Greene, Brooklyn, demonstrating their role in a "defensive development" strategy to protect the neighborhood from state-led demolition-style urban renewal. The Fort Greene Landmarks Preservation Committee, a Black, middle-class led coalition of multi-racial, middle-class residents pursued historic designation to preserve the multi-racial and predominately Black, mixed-income neighborhood from further demolition from urban renewal and disinvestment from redlining. Our findings confirm that early Black gentrification, like tract contemporary Black gentrification can both provide temporary protections for the Black community and lead to further gentrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper presents a novel algorithmic approach for character recognition and contextual analysis of temple inscriptions, specifically focusing on Tamil ancient script. The methodology combines advanced preprocessing techniques, deep learning models, and contextual analysis to address the challenges posed by noisy images, script variations, and historical context understanding. We compiled a dataset of 100 high-resolution images of temple inscriptions from various regions and periods. The preprocessing phase involves Noise Reduction, Contrast Enhancement, Orientation Correction, and Adaptive Binarization algorithms to enhance the quality of the inscription images. The character recognition stage employs Convolutional Neural Networks with Transfer Learning, further enhanced by the Multi-head Attention mechanism in Vision Transformers (ViT). The character segmentation algorithm used was the Stroke Width Transform. Transfer Learning was incorporated to adapt the pre-trained ViT model to our specific task. This approach significantly improves the model's ability to recognize characters from diverse scripts and languages. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The character recognition accuracy metrics include a precision of 97.25%, a recall of 95.05%, and an F1-score of 95.17%. Additionally, the model achieved a recognition rate of 98.92% for key terms related to historical events, deities, and rulers. It also demonstrated a 94% recognition rate for context-specific phrases and a 95% recognition rate for historical dates. Contextual analysis results indicate that the model successfully identifies specific terms, phrases, and historical references, contributing to a deeper understanding of the inscriptions. The model's ability to recognize characters from multiple scripts underscores its adaptability to diverse inscriptions. In conclusion, this research provides a comprehensive and efficient solution for character recognition and contextual analysis of temple inscriptions in Tamil ancient script. It advances the field of epigraphy and historical research, facilitating the digital preservation and exploration of historical and cultural heritage contained within these inscriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa is currently undergoing rapid urbanization, which has placed a significant strain on its already insufficient infrastructure. Many cities struggle to meet the needs of their residents through sustainable urban development. This has put urban Africa to a pressing dilemma: the tension between preserving historic buildings and sites, and the drive to modernize and redevelop cities. Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, exemplifies this struggle, as it is currently undergoing a rapid urban transformation underpinned by an urban renewal and infrastructure development project, which has included the demolition of historic buildings in its oldest district, Piazza. This article uses Addis Ababa as a case study to demonstrate how historic preservation can be integrated into urban development strategies. It utilizes Zerrudo's methodology for historic preservation, encompassing the following four phases: awareness, appreciation, protection, and utilization. It further integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology throughout each phase, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of preservation efforts. It argues that historic preservation not only safeguards cultural identity and heritage, but also brings significant economic benefits, including tourism and job creation. This integrated approach ensures that development and preservation are not mutually exclusive, but rather are complementary aspects of sustainable urban development in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For over a century, archaeologists have investigated the vast network of prehistoric Hohokam canal irrigation systems in the lower Salt River and middle Gila River valleys, as well as in other areas of southern Arizona. However, documentation of the agricultural fields in which prehistoric farmers irrigated their crops generally was lacking until the last 25 years. This is largely a result of the difficulty in identifying ancient fields, since they are not visible on the surface and have been obscured or destroyed by natural landscape processes as well as historic and modern disturbances. More recent archaeological investigations have revealed ancient irrigated fields through innovative methods and excavation techniques. The fields were constructed both by Hohokam irrigators (450–1450 CE) as well as by farmers from preceding cultural traditions during the Early Agricultural period (2100 BCE–50 CE). These discoveries occurred during projects conducted in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act. In this chapter, I highlight these important studies that have expanded the view of ancient agricultural landscapes in southern Arizona. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the role of the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) in New York City and the implications of its decisions under the Landmarks Law, focusing on balancing historic preservation with urban development. It explores the landmark case Penn Central Transportation Company v. City of New York and discusses how LPC decisions impact property rights and urban planning.

This article presents the Color‐Material‐Finish (CMF) project developed for the renovation of Fortezza da Basso in Florence, Italy. Fortezza da Basso—a large, fortified complex consisting of old and new buildings—is the main venue in Tuscany for international exhibitions and cultural activities. In 2010, the Municipality of Florence started its restoration, which is still ongoing. The goal is to renovate the Renaissance parts of the fortress and replace the 20th‐century pavilions with environmentally sustainable buildings, harmonically integrated in the context. The renovation started with a project aimed at assessing the preservation status of the fortress. In 2016, the Municipality of Florence developed a body of design rules, the "Fortezza System," dedicated to the design of new buildings within the fortress. A key role was assigned to CMF design: at first, to identify the fortress CMF identity; then, to develop CMF prescriptions to harmonically integrate the new constructions with the historic parts. The CMF approach required for such an ambitious plan also had to be flexible and with wide design margins to allow architects experiment innovative CMF languages. Such conflicting needs were met by designing a CMF approach based on Chromatic Areas, that is, usable continuous areas in the color space rather than on color charts based on lists of allowed historical colors. The article shows how the developed CMF approach can contribute to the full preservation of the Fortezza historical identity and at the same time increase the autonomy of architects in their material and color choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Preserving Useful Knowledge: A History of Collections Care at the APS Library" is a book that explores the history of collections care at the American Philosophical Society (APS) Library in Philadelphia. The author, Renée Wolcott, argues for the preservation of historic conservation practices and emphasizes the importance of considering the multilayered histories of collection items and the stewards of those items. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of conservation as a profession and highlights notable conservators and their contributions throughout history. Wolcott also advocates for improved documentation of conservation treatments to better understand their impact on objects and make informed treatment decisions. This book is valuable for conservators, curators, librarians, and anyone interested in the history of collections care and preservation. [Extracted from the article]

Fungi have always posed an unquestionable threat to heritage collections worldwide. Now, in a future of climate change, biological risk factors may have to be considered even more than before. Models and simulations to assess possible impacts a changing outdoor climate will have on indoor environments and, in turn, on biodeterioration are still underdeveloped and require a more substantial data basis. This study aimed at filling some of these knowledge gaps through a broad-based approach combining microclimatic and microbiological monitoring in four historic libraries in Austria with an uncontrolled indoor climate: Altenburg Abbey, Melk Abbey, Klosterneuburg Monastery and the Capuchin Monastery in Vienna. Data were generated from thermohygrometric sensors, cultivation-dependent air- and surface sampling and further surface dust sampling for cultivation-independent analyses. Results gave insights on the status quo of microbiological loads in the libraries and outdoor–indoor relationships. Influences of the geographic location and room-use on corresponding indoor fungal profiles were identified. Lower fungal diversities were found at the most rural site with the strongest climatic fluctuations and extreme values than in the most urban, sheltered library with a very stable climate. Further, the humidity-stabilizing potential of large collections of hygroscopic materials, such as books, was also examined. Implications for a sustainable approach to prevent future biodeterioration are discussed, supporting the long-term preservation of these valuable historic collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Virtual Archaeology Review is the property of Virtual Archaeology Review 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.)

The landscape surrounding a summer villa is, in a morphological and experiential sense, an inseparable part of the villa and its garden. This research examines the level of preservation of the historic landscapes of eight summer villas in Dubrovnik and the level of their integration into the urban fabric of the contemporary city. The research methods used include the analysis of the relevant scientific literature as well as the analysis and interpretation of graphic materials, i.e., cadastral maps from the second half of the 19th century, orthophoto maps, and spatial planning documentation. In this paper, the immediate landscape in close vicinity to the summer villas is defined as the protective zone of a summer villa (PZSV). Although the original use and extent of the summer villa landscapes have rarely been preserved, it is possible to establish PZSVs in order to preserve, i.e., reinterpret, the setting of the summer villas, which is necessary to experience them in their totality. This research establishes the general principles that enable the identification of three general models of transformation of the summer villa landscape. Furthermore, this research develops possible scenarios for the enhancement of the summer villa landscape based on the identified models. These models and scenarios are generally applicable in the context of the protection and enhancement of the summer villa landscapes in of the south of Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mangistau region of Kazakhstan is rich in cultural heritage and is characterized by various toponyms reflecting its multifaceted history. In the context of the Mangistau region, incorporating the cultural and historical context into the program helps students form a deeper connection with the region and its tangible and intangible heritage. By learning historical place names and their etymological origins, students gain insights into the history and cultural development of the region. This study investigates the teaching of etymological analysis of historical toponyms of the Mangistau region through project-based teaching and its impact on student’s attitudes toward history and interest in historical and cultural values. The study employed a quasiexperimental design based on quantitative research methods. According to this design, pre-test results were used to divide the groups into experimental and control groups. The participants comprised 61 students (Experimental group n=31; Control group n=30) studying in the 2nd grade of a high school in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in the 2023-2024 academic year. The experimental group was taught project-based learning activities for six weeks, while the control group was taught historical toponyms and etymological analysis of the Mangistau Region using traditional teaching methods and techniques. The Attitudes Toward Historical and Toponymy Subjects Scale and the Interest in Historical and Cultural Values Scale were used as data collection instruments. The pre-test and post-test results of the experimental and control groups were analyzed using the Independent Samples t-test technique. The analysis revealed that the students in the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in the post-test compared to the control group. The findings indicated that teaching with a project-based learning approach on historical toponyms and etymological analysis of the Mangistau region increased students’ interest in and attitudes toward historical and cultural values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction in 2018 brought to light a previously unknown Black graveyard that operated from 1826 to 1882 on the outskirts of densely populated Philadelphia. To assure dignified burials, founders of the African Friends to Harmony Burial Ground created a "beneficial," a form widely used by contemporary African Americans. Burials ended in 1882 as urban development encroached on the graveyard. Within a few decades, it had been erased from property deeds and public memory. In 2019–20, the two churches deemed descendant communities by the property owner, the University of Pennsylvania, chose to relocate the remains. This article points to instances where Black cemeteries have been retained in place or emerged as crucial instances of public engagement. Exploring the aspirations and struggles of those who established and tended African Friends to Harmony ground, the article reveals the richness of its history but the missed opportunity to commemorate the region's complex past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the legal issues of providing state support to agriculture in the European Union. State support for agriculture is not a frozen, conservative category - its evolution is subject to the main trends in the development of the legal system, the emergence of new threats and the birth of new social needs. Another reform of the European common agricultural policy (CAP) and its agricultural protection component for the period 2021-2027 calls for an urgent need to study the proposed changes in the context of the general evolution of EU legislation on state support for farmers. Understanding the main vectors of such evolution is an important methodological basis for the qualitative development of the concept of reforming domestic agricultural protection legislation. The traced evolution of the agricultural protection legislation of the European Union demonstrates its passing through several successive stages: 1) the stage of emergence and formation (60s-80s of the 20th century); 2) the beginning of a major reorientation of EU agricultural policy (1992-1998); 3) the stage of the emergence of the second pillar of SAP (1999-2002); 4) the stage of the final transition to the format of direct payments (2003-2012); 5) stage of successive greening (2013-2020); 6) modern stage (2021-2027 years). The current stage of development of EU agricultural protection legislation is characterized by such features as: transition from mandatory measures to mandatory results; preserving the methodology of the two pillars of SAP; strengthening of environmental priorities; preservation of social landmarks. An analysis of the retrospective and current state of legislative support for agriculture in the EU reveals three main trends in the development of such legislation: decentralization, greening, and preservation of small farming. The study of modern agro-protection legislation of Ukraine through the prism of our conclusions will allow us to determine the ratio of methodological bases of state support for farmers in the EU and Ukraine. This is an important scientific and practical foundation for the development of a qualitative concept of reforming domestic legislation. That is why the study of these questions will be the subject of our further scientific investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of years imbues historical buildings within universities with a profound sense of heritage, evident not only in the temporal imprints within their internal spaces but also in the evolution of their external surroundings. This cultural legacy subtly enriches students' spatial awareness of history and fosters a collective memory of campus context. Current scholarly inquiry into university historical buildings primarily revolves around comprehensive considerations encompassing the preservation of these edifices, the overarching planning of academic institutions, and the safeguarding of the distinctive features inherent to historical structures. However, the predominant focus lies on qualitative analyses, leaving a pressing need for quantitative assessments and the establishment of an evaluation framework to gauge the efficacy of historical building preservation in academia. Addressing this gap, this study employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE) to formulate the University Historical Building Protection Evaluation Framework (UHBPEF). Drawing from the examination and categorization of the primary instructional edifices within the Yujiatou campus of Wuhan University of Technology through the Research Classification Method (RCM), along with the consolidation of insights from experts and academic stakeholders, this study underscores the imperative of enhancing the scientific precision and pertinence of the university's strategy for preserving historical buildings. By employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, this study offers innovative insights into the challenges facing historical building preservation in university settings, therefore propounding effective preservation strategies and offering a roadmap for future endeavors in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heritage preservation practices continue to be adopted as a tool to promote the regeneration of historic areas in China. Taking the experience of the Old Town of Lijiang (Dayan) as its starting point, this essay considers heritagization both as a process of gentrification and as an authoritarian urban practice that operates behind the regeneration process, contributing to the transformation of historic neighbourhoods into objects of display. It focuses particularly on the role played by local state actors and heritage regulations, showing how the construction and rearrangement of space as a form of 'ordering' serves the dominant classes, thus legitimizing the transformation of Lijiang and directly shaping people's lives. Finally, following recent accounts of gentrification led by historic preservation, the essay reflects on the ways in which heritage discourses and participatory‐like practices may be deployed to legitimize gentrification and hinder various forms of resistance at the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The convergence of cultural and aesthetic elements in timber structures from China's Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) and traditional Japanese architecture provides a rich tapestry of architectural evolution and cross-cultural exchanges. Addressing the challenge of distinguishing and understanding the intricate styles of these structures is significant for both historical comprehension and preservation efforts. This research introduces an innovative approach by integrating the Multi-Head Attention (MHA) mechanism into the YOLOv8 model, enhancing the detection of architectural features with improved precision and recall. Our novel YOLOv8-MHA model not only demonstrates a notable improvement in recognizing intricate architectural details but also significantly advances the state of the art in object detection within complex settings. Quantitative results underscore the model's effectiveness, achieving a precision of 95.6%, a recall of 85.6%, and a mean Average Precision (mAP@50) of 94% across various Intersection over Union (IoU) thresholds. These metrics highlight the model's superior capability to accurately identify and classify architectural elements, especially within environments rich with nuanced details, utilizing the enhanced YOLOv8-MHA algorithm. The application of our model extends beyond mere architectural analysis; it offers new insights into the intricate interplay of cultural identity and adaptability inherent in East Asian architectural heritage. The study establishes a solid foundation for the meticulous classification and analysis of architectural styles in timber structures within an expansive cultural and historical context, thereby enriching our understanding and preservation of these traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical aerial images constitute an invaluable heritage that requires meticulous recovery and preservation. Interest in this task has been shown at the international level, where several congresses have been held to analyse orthophotographs production techniques, as well as the state of the art of preservation and dissemination of historical material. Innovative image orthorectification models, such as Structure for Motion and Multi-View Stereo, derived from classical photogrammetric methods such as collinearity equations, Direct Linear Transformation and Rational Function Model, have shown excellent results in the creation of 3D models from images captured by mobile devices and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These advances open up a new line of research for its application in historical flights, characterised by unsuitable flight and conservation conditions, with geometries away from the conventional geometric model and the absence of orientation parameters. On the basis of the papers presented at the EuroSDR congresses in 2019 and 2022, and using SfM and MVS algorithmic programmes, research on the processes of orthorectification of historical images has been deepened, particularly in the processing of large volumes of data. The methodology was applied to what is potentially the largest block of data to date, comprising over 4,000 images covering an area of over 40,000 square kilometres corresponding to the A-series flight, carried out by the US Army Map Service between 1945 and 1946. This technical process represents a significant step towards the accurate correction of valuable historical aerial imagery, contributing to architectural study, urban planning, property organisation, and historical heritage conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effectiveness of university records management programmes in Indonesia, focusing on the identification of key factors that influence their success. Recognizing the critical role of records in ensuring legal compliance, decision-making support, accountability, and historical preservation, the research utilizes a quantitative approach with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyse the data. The findings reveal that education and training, organizational culture, knowledge and skills, and motivation are significant positive predictors of effective records management. Conversely, the influence of professional associations was not statistically significant. These results underscore the importance of targeted educational initiatives and a supportive organizational culture in enhancing the management of university records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, the building stones used in the architectural heritage of Galicia (Spain) during the past were mainly extracted from quarries located in the surrounding areas of the historical buildings. Thus, a great variety of monuments were built with the same type of granite but with different degrees of weathering depending on local conditions, geological context (facies), and period of construction. The main purpose of this work is to evaluate the probable origin of the construction materials of six historical buildings on the Barbanza Peninsula, Galicia (Spain), based on the degree of weathering and petrographic-mineralogical characteristics. The evaluation was performed on six different samples of granite according to the geological context in outcrops of places where there are old quarries. We used X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and petrographic microscopy (PM) to attempt to address whether the origin is really local to the Barbanza Peninsula or whether the stone was brought from more distant places, based on our knowledge of the geological context of the study area. Based on the chemical, textural, and mineralogical analyses obtained, the material used for construction has a local origin and comes from small quarries spread over a wide area within the Peninsula itself. Barbanza-type granite is the most abundant within the geological context of the area and also the most used as a construction material. Other types of granites identified are the Confurco Granite and other granitoids of the Noya complex. The Chemical Alteration Index (CIA) shows low to moderate weathering in the granites, fitting petrographic observations. In monuments, samples show higher concentrations of Na and K due to salt crystallization. They show microcracks due to extraction, cutting, and finishing processes and common alteration processes of the main minerals, such as sericitization of plagioclase and chloritization of biotite. This work consists of a multidisciplinary study focused on the geological perspective for the identification and preservation of historic quarries. Knowledge of the original material also presents a unique opportunity for the restoration and/or reconstruction of monuments, which allows for the maintenance of their conceptual and constructive homogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation of historical traditional architectural ensembles faces multifaceted challenges, and the need for facade renovation and updates has become increasingly prominent. In conventional architectural updating and renovation processes, assessing design schemes and the redesigning component are often time-consuming and labor-intensive. The knowledge-driven method utilizes a wide range of knowledge resources, such as historical documents, architectural drawings, and photographs, commonly used to guide and optimize the conservation, restoration, and management of architectural heritage. Recently, the emergence of artificial intelligence-generated content (AIGC) technologies has provided new solutions for creating architectural facades, introducing a new research paradigm to the renovation plans for historic districts with their variety of options and high efficiency. In this study, we propose a workflow combining Grasshopper with Stable Diffusion: starting with Grasshopper to generate concise line drawings, then using the ControlNet and low-rank adaptation (LoRA) models to produce images of traditional Minnan architectural facades, allowing designers to quickly preview and modify the facade designs during the renovation of traditional architectural clusters. Our research results demonstrate Stable Diffusion's precise understanding and execution ability concerning architectural facade elements, capable of generating regional traditional architectural facades that meet architects' requirements for style, size, and form based on existing images and prompt descriptions, revealing the immense potential for application in the renovation of traditional architectural groups and historic districts. It should be noted that the correlation between specific architectural images and proprietary term prompts still requires further addition due to the limitations of the database. Although the model generally performs well when trained on traditional Chinese ancient buildings, the accuracy and clarity of more complex decorative parts still need enhancement, necessitating further exploration of solutions for handling facade details in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The book review discusses an anthology titled "Historic preservation theory: an anthology—readings from the 18th to the 21st Century," edited by Jorge Otero-Pailos. The anthology contains 96 texts spanning four centuries and covers various geographies, disciplines, and epochs. It aims to provide students with a wider international and historical perspective on historic preservation theory. The book is organized chronologically, starting from the European Enlightenment, which has raised questions about the inclusivity and diversity of the discipline. The review acknowledges the need for redressing historiographical inequity and calls for a reconstitution of the field of historic preservation to address the challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change and sustainability. [Extracted from the article]

Former asylums are often significant heritage sites for their architecture and what they can tell us about mental health care practices. One example is the historic Mayday Hills asylum in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia. Built in Italianate style and set in extensive grounds, it is under National Trust protection for its heritage and historical significance. In this article, we outline the creation of a pilot online virtual tour of Mayday Hills and the nearby Beechworth Cemetery. We used curation as a methodology, informed by the concept of crystallisation. Innovative digital imagery was crafted through drone footage and virtual technology. The website includes narratives and reminiscences from former staff and others associated with the institution, along with a blog written by the research team. Maydayhills.org.au demonstrates the feasibility of using virtual technology to depict how mental illness was once treated in Australia. The website is available to anyone unable to travel to Beechworth and to enrich the experience of those visiting in person. This online digital space is now essential for the preservation of history, memories and material culture given that many original buildings are being repurposed. It complements the built and natural environment of Mayday Hills asylum and Beechworth Cemetery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of development has different aspects and is associated with different social, economic and environmental dimensions, such as culture. The objective of this article is to verify the relationship between culture and local development in the municipality of Ijuí/RS-BR and its influences, both social and economic. This research is characterized as descriptive, qualitative and field study, in which an interview was carried out with Jonas Sala, president of the União das Etnias de Ijuí (Union of Ethnicities of Ijuí). It was realized that culture interfered in the past in the way the municipality developed and continues to reflect today, ranging from the development of social projects to historical preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the battles over public history and the transformation of urban public history, focusing on examples from Germantown in Philadelphia and the Boston National Historical Park. The authors argue that good urban history should incorporate collective memory and present diverse perspectives and time periods. They discuss the relationship between urban renewal and historic preservation in Boston and Germantown, noting how preservationists often supported urban renewal efforts despite the destruction of historic neighborhoods. The article also examines the racial dynamics of preservation and raises questions about the role of preservation in gentrification. Overall, it emphasizes the importance of community engagement and inclusive storytelling in the practice of history. [Extracted from the article]

The preservation and reuse of historical alley spaces infuse these areas with renewed vitality, which holds significant importance for the direction of preservation and restoration efforts in historical districts. This paper focuses on Jinyu Alley in Quanzhou and identifies a study targeting tourists for the protection and reuse of historical alley spaces. Through preliminary research and interviews, a system of evaluation indicators for urban historical alley spaces post-usage was established using a factor analysis, extracting five main components: historical context, neighborhood space, commercial environment, supporting facilities, and operational management. Additionally, a modified importance–performance analysis (IPA) method was employed to conduct a quadrant analysis on tourist satisfaction evaluation indicators. Transformation quadrant distribution maps of various evaluation indicators reveal dissatisfaction among tourists with certain aspects of supporting facilities, the commercial environment, and neighborhood space. Relevant departments should prioritize improvements in dining quality, business variety, neighborhood traffic connections and transformations, neighborhood space form and scale, landscape greening, environmental elements, parking availability, and trash bin density for future enhancements. Finally, based on the results of tourist satisfaction surveys and information gathered from interviews with a minority of residents, a more inclusive and sustainable strategy for the protection and reuse of historical alley spaces is formulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, research on the preservation of historical architecture has gained significant attention, where the effectiveness of semantic segmentation is particularly crucial for subsequent repair, protection, and 3D reconstruction. Given the sparse and uneven nature of large-scale historical building point cloud scenes, most semantic segmentation methods opt to sample representative subsets of points, often leading to the loss of key features and insufficient segmentation accuracy of architectural components. Moreover, the geometric feature information at the junctions of components is cluttered and dense, resulting in poor edge segmentation. Based on this, this paper proposes a unique semantic segmentation network design called MSFA-Net. To obtain multiscale features and suppress irrelevant information, a double attention aggregation module is first introduced. Then, to enhance the model's robustness and generalization capabilities, a contextual feature enhancement and edge interactive classifier module are proposed to train edge features and fuse the context data. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the proposed model, experiments were conducted on a self-curated ancient building dataset and the S3DIS dataset, achieving OA values of 95.2% and 88.7%, as well as mIoU values of 86.2% and 71.6%, respectively, further confirming the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]