Preservation, Reuse and Reveal of Cultural Heritage Through Sustainable Land Management, Rural and Urban Development (Third Edition)

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2730

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Photogrammetry, School of Rural, Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou str., 15773 Athens, Greece
Interests: cultural heritage geometric documentation; HBIM; multi-dimensional modelling; city modelling; change detection; data fusion; photogrammetry; land management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Materials Science & Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Str., 15773 Athens, Greece
Interests: cultural heritage; conservation science; building materials; nondestructive testing; sustainable development; environmental management; GIS
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cultural heritage contributes considerably in promoting economic, social and territory cohesion, as it enhances locals’ identity and appreciation for their land and its history.

However, cultural heritage is exposed to multiple risks due to ageing, adverse environmental conditions, and human pressure. As the environmental crisis is emphasized by intense climatic changes and extreme natural hazards, new demands on preservation strategies arise, to remediate and prevent damage on cultural heritage. In parallel and even though cultural tourism is acknowledged and used these last decades as a development and growth tool by many countries, nowadays it has experience overtourism in several cases. On the other hand, there are urban or rural areas, unable to assure a satisfactory standard of living for their population, thus facing underdevelopment and population decrease, even if these areas are rich in cultural reserve.

These kind of inequalities within urban matrices and/or regions require innovative methodologies and successfully applied expertise strategies in order to be diminished. Cultural heritage can be used as a growth pole for underdeveloped areas, whereas in overdeveloped areas alteration of socio-spatial patterns can lead to the improvement of cultural sites safeguarding and locals’ life quality. Whatever the case is, the principles of sustainability and circular economy can play a key role in land management and urban/rural development for achieving the goals of revitalization and balanced economic growth.

To sum up, this Special Issue aims to investigate as many as possible sides of the nexus: cultural heritage preservation, sustainable urban/rural land management, local society enhancement, and economic growth, to shed light into this multi-variant and complex scientific area, suggesting viable and novel resolving strategies.

Prof. Dr. Antonia Moropoulou
Prof. Dr. Charalabos Ioannidis
Dr. Ekaterini Delegou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable development
  • remote sensing
  • 3D modeling
  • spatial planning
  • GIS / HBIM
  • cultural routes
  • tangible/intangible cultural heritage
  • historical settlements
  • historical cities
  • circular economy
  • cultural tourism
  • environmental management

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

28 pages, 8203 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Development of Central and Northern Euboea (Evia) Through the Protection and Revealing of the Area’s Cultural and Environmental Reserve
by Kyriakos Lampropoulos, Anastasia Vythoulka, George Petrakos, Vasiliki (Betty) Charalampopoulou, Anastasia A. Kioussi and Antonia Moropoulou
Land 2025, 14(7), 1467; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071467 - 15 Jul 2025
Viewed by 265
Abstract
This study explores a strategic framework for the sustainable development of Northern and Central Euboea (Evia), Greece, through the preservation and promotion of cultural and environmental assets. This research aims to redirect tourism flows from overdeveloped coastal zones to underutilized inland areas by [...] Read more.
This study explores a strategic framework for the sustainable development of Northern and Central Euboea (Evia), Greece, through the preservation and promotion of cultural and environmental assets. This research aims to redirect tourism flows from overdeveloped coastal zones to underutilized inland areas by leveraging local heritage and natural resources. The methodology was developed within the context of the AEI research project and combines bibliographic research, stakeholder consultation, GIS analysis, and socioeconomic assessment. Based on this framework, a series of thematic cultural routes and agritourism initiatives were designed to enhance regional attractiveness and resilience. The study proposes the utilization of ICT tools such as GIS-based mapping, a digital development platform, and an online tourism portal to document, manage, and promote key assets. The socioeconomic impact of the proposed interventions was evaluated using an input–output model, revealing that each EUR 1 million invested in the region is expected to generate EUR 650,000 in local GDP and create 14 new jobs. The results underscore the potential of alternative tourism to stimulate inclusive and sustainable growth, particularly in post-disaster rural regions. This integrated approach can serve as a model for other territories facing similar environmental, economic, and demographic challenges. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 8917 KiB  
Article
Creating the Spatial Utilization Pattern of Traditional Villages in the Yellow River by Connecting the Heritage Corridors System with the Assessment of Tourism Potential
by Xin Liu, Tangxia Wu, Ziyi Xie, Weijing Yuan and Huan Yang
Land 2025, 14(7), 1402; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071402 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 267
Abstract
Traditional villages possess considerable heritage values. Tourism provides an effective way to protect and revitalize the traditional village heritages. Current research has insufficient consideration of tourism potential when constructing the spatial utilization pattern of traditional villages. This study aims to build a spatial [...] Read more.
Traditional villages possess considerable heritage values. Tourism provides an effective way to protect and revitalize the traditional village heritages. Current research has insufficient consideration of tourism potential when constructing the spatial utilization pattern of traditional villages. This study aims to build a spatial utilization pattern of traditional villages within the Yellow River Basin by assessing the tourism potential of each traditional village via the Combined Weight Method and identifying cultural heritage corridors through the application of the Minimum Cumulative Resistance model. The results indicate the following: (1) The traditional villages situated within the Yellow River Basin demonstrate an uneven spatial distribution, with a notable concentration in the middle and lower reaches. (2) The traditional villages located in the middle and lower reaches possess greater tourism potential compared to those found in the upstream, and they are primarily situated in Shanxi and Henan provinces. (3) In light of the cultural attributes, this study proposes a spatial utilization pattern characterized by “four core areas, seven cultural zones, and a three–tiered corridor system”. These findings promote the development of traditional villages while preserving their heritage values, strengthen the communication and integration of regional cultures, and offer practical guidance towards regional coordination and enduring development. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 6295 KiB  
Article
Sustaining the Fabric of Time: Urban Heritage, Time Rupture, and Sustainable Development
by Kaixuan Wang and Kalliopi Fouseki
Land 2025, 14(1), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010193 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1323
Abstract
This paper explores the concept of time rupture, i.e., the disruption of historical continuity caused by rapid urbanization, and its implications for urban heritage preservation, using Dongjiadu in Shanghai as a case study. Time rupture highlights the disconnection between modern development and cultural [...] Read more.
This paper explores the concept of time rupture, i.e., the disruption of historical continuity caused by rapid urbanization, and its implications for urban heritage preservation, using Dongjiadu in Shanghai as a case study. Time rupture highlights the disconnection between modern development and cultural heritage, often diluting local identity and a sense of place. While it presents challenges to the continuity of urban heritage, it also creates opportunities to redefine historical narratives and enrich cultural meaning. By introducing a temporal framework, this study examines the dynamic interplay between heritage preservation and modernity, advocating for adaptive, context-sensitive strategies that move beyond static conservation methods. These strategies acknowledge the fragmented overlaps of urban timelines, ensuring that heritage sites remain vibrant, living components of urban environments. The Dongjiadu case illustrates two distinct categories of time rupture, underscoring the need for sustainable practices that harmonize cultural continuity with contemporary growth. The discussion emphasizes the importance of inclusive practices, community engagement, and the critical integration of technological advancements to address time rupture effectively. By incorporating a temporal perspective into heritage conservation, it is possible to bridge historical continuity and modern development, foster resilience in urban environments, and enable cities to adapt to rapid change while retaining their cultural essence. Ultimately, addressing time rupture through thoughtful, adaptive strategies ensures that urban heritage actively contributes to the sustainability and vitality of evolving cities. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop