Search Results (6)

The heritage science sector is facing a critical need for accessible and comprehensive data resources to facilitate research, preservation efforts, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The concept of FAIR data management involves embracing principles and practices that ensure that data are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. This work presents an overview of the latest updates on the INFRA-ART Spectral Library, an open access spectral database of cultural-heritage-related materials that was designed as a digital support tool for heritage research specialists that work with (portable) non- or minimally invasive spectroscopic techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, or Raman spectroscopy, among others. The database is an ongoing compilation of high-quality curated data that currently incorporates primary ATR-FTIR and XRF spectra and a preliminary dataset of Raman and short-wave infrared (SWIR) reflectance spectra on over 900 different materials typically found in painted works of art. For increased and sustainable accessibility, the database follows the European Commission’s recommendations on access to scientific information, as well as the FAIR guiding principles on research data that result from publicly funded research. The INFRA-ART Spectral Library is registered as a resource within the Open Science Cloud (EOSC) Portal and is among the services offered by the Romanian hub within E-RIHS (European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science) DIGILAB. Full article

In the context of cultural routes, in order to achieve overall protection of industrial heritage, the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) was established to organize and promote the entire European industrial heritage. The conservation and utilization of Chinese industrial heritage are currently dominated by individual cases, which limits their potential to contribute to regional sustainable development. There is an urgent need of a conservation system at the regional or national level, to ensure that Chinese industrial heritage conservation effectively contributes to regional sustainable development. This study considers the industrial heritage of China built between 1840 and 1978 to establish the Chinese Industrial Heritage GIS Database (CIHGD). The analysis shows that the distribution of China’s industrial heritage is mainly concentrated in the eastern and southern coastal areas, and the industrial heritage has formed three key regions, 14 key cities, and important railway and water systems located in eastern China. The CRIH facilitates the holistic conservation of China’s industrial heritage and provides basic data for future research on China’s industrial heritage. The objective of this study is to promote the establishment of an information-based management system for industrial heritage in China, and to explore the value evaluation, protection system, and regional tourism of industrial heritage from a national perspective in China. Full article

Industrial heritage serves as a poignant testament to the historical narrative of industrial civilization. The European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) is a pan-European network that connects industrial sites and museums to enhance public awareness of the significance of the industrial heritage sector and to promote sustainable development practices in urban areas through collaboration and cooperation between these sites. The ERIH is crucial in promoting economic, cultural, and social values associated with industrial heritage and creating opportunities for tourism and education in Europe. Taking the ERIH as the research object, the nearest-neighbor index, kernel density, geographic detector, and other methods are used in this study to explore the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of European industrial heritage. The results of this study have implications for urban and regional planning endeavors aimed at advancing sustainable urban development. Furthermore, they contribute to cultivating a sense of place and identity by identifying and preserving industrial heritage institutions while fostering social cohesion and community identity practices. The results show that (1) the spatial distribution of European industrial heritage presents a cohesive distribution, and the spatial distribution is uneven; (2) the spatial distribution of European industrial heritage forms “dual cores, dual centers, one belt, three zones and multiple scattered points”—the center of gravity shows a trend of “first north and then east” and the north–south movement is relatively small; and (3) a combination of natural and social factors shape the spatial distribution of industrial heritage. Natural conditions, such as altitude, topography, and hydrological characteristics, influence the distribution patterns of industrial heritage sites. Meanwhile, human factors, including infrastructure level, cultural tourism potential, and social development, play a pivotal role in determining spatial distribution patterns. Among these factors, the socio-economic level exhibits the strongest influence, with an explanatory power of 0.763. The results of this study can contribute to the conservation and tourism practices regarding industrial heritage sites, thus promoting sustainable urban development practices. Full article

The study focused on the application of Open Innovations (OI) in industrial heritage tourist sites. The transformation of a former industrial plant into a tourist attraction is one of the most effective ways of heritage preservation. However the process of revitalization can take years or even decades, and guidelines set from experienced facilities that have already gone this path could be extremely valuable for regions aspiring to hold such sites in the future. The benefits would be mutual if the OI had an Outbound Pecuniary structure. Therefore the main goal of our study was to recognize the attitude of industrial heritage sites towards the concept of OI and sharing their experiences regarding revitalization and their business models. For this purpose, a survey was conducted on European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) members. The results that were received from 70 sites show that a vast majority of the subjects are open to the idea of OI with no limitations coming from the type of ownership they have, nor from the sector a recipient of OI would be from. The benefits gained from OI to ERIH sites could have a potentially significant impact on their future development. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the way tourism activities are conducted. Restrictions on moving from place to place have likely limited the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus but have also led to economic crisis in many countries around the world. In this article, we assessed the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the activities of cultural heritage tourism sites in Europe. Scientific research was carried out in industrial heritage tourism sites associated with the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH). Analysis of the literature and the results of our own research indicated a strong impact of the pandemic on the examined sites, expressed in the limitation of the operating time of the sites, a decrease in the number of tourists attended to, and a decrease in revenues. No significant reduction in employment was noticed. These sites were not generally used in preventive actions during the health crisis. Only some managers took an active part in supporting emergency services in a difficult situation. We concluded that taking up innovative functions by tourism enterprises should be open innovation. Full article

The Journal of Transport and Health is a new journal, bringing together the impacts of transport on health and inequalities and the ways changes to transport policy and/or infrastructure affect these. It aims to: promote dialogue between the two research communities it serves; improve the quality of data and its appropriate use; and encourage transfer of research into practice. The first volume of four issues was published in 2014; it is already abstracted and indexed in SafetyLit, ERIH PLUS, TRID, the TRIS and ITRD Databases. A substantial achievement is that the Social Sciences Citation Index added the journal within the first year, from the first issue onwards, which is rare. Before the end of 2014, the journal had exceeded its target by 2015 for: numbers of manuscripts submitted; editorial decisions made; articles accepted for publication; and articles downloaded. Challenges have included recruiting sufficient reviewers; setting standards for acceptance of manuscripts; and editors’ time commitments. In 2014, articles were downloaded in 77 countries, and we received submissions from 27 countries. Despite the plethora of scientific journals, Journal of Transport and Health has obviously filled a gap in interdisciplinary research “whose time has come”, in a timely and attractive manner. Full article