Search Results (392)

Urban rivers are critical ecological and cultural assets facing accelerating biodiversity loss. This study examines the integrated redevelopment of the Jadro River spring in Solin, Croatia, where a protected ichthyological reserve intersects layered heritage and urban edges to enhance conservation and public value. Using a single-case study design that combines archival project documentation, participant observation by the architect–authors, and a post-occupancy review three years after completion, the analysis synthesizes ecological, social, and design evidence across planning, delivery, and operation phases. The project delivered phased visitor and interpretation centers, accessible paths and bridges, habitat-compatible materials, and formalized access management that relocated parking from riverbanks, reduced episodic pollution sources, and prioritized inclusive, low-impact use. Governance and programming established a municipal management plan, curriculum-ready interpretation, and carrying capacity monitoring, transforming an underused picnic area into an educational, recreational, and conservation-oriented public landscape while safeguarding sensitive habitats. A transferable design protocol emerged, aligning blue green infrastructure, heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, and social–ecological system (SES)-informed placemaking to protect the endemic soft-mouth trout and strengthen a sense of place and community stewardship. The case supports SES-based riverpark renewal in which conservative interventions within protected cores are coupled with consolidated services on resilient ground, offering a replicable framework for ecologically constrained urban headwaters. Full article

Trails in heritage sites are useful ways to engage visitors with the place. Sensory trails proposed in this paper, engaged with the sensory walking method, are designed purposefully to engage the multi-sensory features onsite with prompts to link to the historic sensory elements that have historic and cultural meanings to the heritage sites. Two questions are asked: (1) What process can we follow to design sensory heritage trails? (2) What criteria can be used to evaluate and guide the sensory features on site and from historic documentations? Taking design research as the overarching methodology, this paper reflects on the creation of two sensory trails, Sensing Beyond the Roundhouse and Sensing Around the Anglesey Column, following the Double Diamond framework developed by UK Design Council. An iterative design framework was developed, beginning with the identification of constraints and sensory opportunities through site observations, document analysis, and stakeholder interviews, which leads to interpretations of sensory features to shape storylines and route planning informed by user analysis. It is followed by representing the trails through sensory maps and other low-cost creative formats and then validating proposed trails with communities and stakeholders via pilot walks and feedback sessions. Four criteria are generated to assess sensory features based on engagement and authenticity: their contribution to the authentic historic atmosphere of the site; their ability to trigger imagination and evoke nostalgia; their distinctiveness and relevance to the site’s heritage narratives; and their capacity to encourage physical interaction and embodied engagement. The discussion part argues that sensory trails can be used as place-based strategies to inform urban planning and development around the heritage site through three pathways: catalyst for improvements and developments, connect isolated heritage sites, generate place-based knowledge. Full article

Cultural heritage is framed as a living resource for citizenship and education, although evidence on how in situ augmented reality can cultivate sustainability competences remains limited. This study examines the Art Nouveau Path, a location-based mobile augmented reality game across eight points of interest in Aveiro, Portugal, aligned with the GreenComp framework. Within a design-based research case study, the analysis integrates repeated cross-sectional student questionnaires (S1-PRE N = 221; S2-POST N = 439; S3-FU N = 434), anonymized gameplay logs from 118 collaborative groups, and 24 teacher field observations (T2-OBS), using quantitative summaries with reflexive thematic analysis. References to heritage preservation in students’ sustainability conceptions rose from 28.96% at baseline to 61.05% immediately after gameplay, remaining above baseline at follow-up (47.93%). Augmented reality items were answered more accurately than non- augmented reality items (81% vs. 73%) and involved longer on-site exploration (+10.17 min). Triangulated evidence indicates that augmented reality and multimodality amplified attention to architectural details and prompted debates about authenticity. Built heritage, mobilized through lightweight augmented reality within a digital teaching and learning ecosystem, can serve as an effective context for Education for Sustainable Development, strengthening preservation literacy and civic responsibility and generating interoperable cultural traces for future reuse. Full article

Industrial heritage, as a vital carrier of industrial civilization, is a key resource for advancing regional sustainable development. Understanding its spatial distribution and influencing factors is essential for effective conservation and revitalization. This study examines 207 industrial heritage sites in Hebei Province, one of the birthplaces of modern industry in China. By integrating multiple spatial analytical methods, it explores the spatial patterns and influencing factors of industrial heritage. A progressive analytical framework combining GeoDetector, Ordinary Least Squares, and Geographically Weighted Regression models was established to interpret formation mechanisms from factor identification to global and local heterogeneity. Results show that industrial heritage in Hebei forms high-density clusters along the eastern coast and southwestern hinterland, with lower densities in the north and central regions. The spatial centroid shifted from the center to the northeast, then to the southwest, and finally returned to the center. The distribution is shaped by the synergistic interaction of multiple factors: railway networks exert the strongest influence, natural conditions provide fundamental constraints, cultural factors play a reinforcing role, and historical development and policy orientation act as regulatory forces. Region-specific strategies are proposed to guide the conservation and sustainable transformation of industrial heritage in old industrial cities. Full article

Immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and multisensory interaction are increasingly deployed to support the transmission and presentation of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), particularly within tourism and heritage interpretation contexts. In cultural tourism, ICH is often encountered through museums, heritage sites, festivals, and digitally mediated experiences rather than through sustained community-based transmission, raising important challenges for interaction design, accessibility, and cultural representation. This study presents a narrative review of immersive human–computer interaction (HCI) research in the context ICH, with a particular focus on tourism-facing applications. An initial dataset of 145 records was identified through a structured search of major academic databases from their inception to 2024. Following staged screening based on relevance, publication type, and temporal criteria, 97 empirical or technical studies published after 2020 were included in the final analysis. The review synthesises how immersive technologies are applied across seven ICH domains and examines their deployment in key tourism-related settings, including museum interpretation, heritage sites, and sustainable cultural tourism experiences. The findings reveal persistent tensions between technological innovation, cultural authenticity, and user engagement, challenges that are especially pronounced in tourism context. The review also maps the dominant methodological approaches, including user-centred design, participatory frameworks, and mixed-method strategies. By integrating structured screening with narrative synthesis, the review highlights fragmentation in the field, uneven methodological rigour, and gaps in both cultural adaptability and long-term sustainability, and outlines future directions for culturally responsive and inclusive immersive HCI research in ICH tourism. Full article

This study proposes a methodological approach to reinterpret the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the built heritage of the Island of Mozambique, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1991 under criteria IV and VI. In view of emerging challenges that threaten the heritage-making process—namely, progressive interventions in the built fabric—a methodology of interrelated reading is presented, grounded in a critical and participatory perspective centered on the local community. This methodological structure is operationalized through an interrelated reading model that combines architectural, constructive and intangible layers within a multi-scalar analytical matrix. This approach is based on three interdependent dimensions: (i) material and immaterial; (ii) symbolic and identity-related; and (iii) functional and sustainable. The theoretical model developed, supported by the participation of multiple stakeholders, demonstrates that small adaptations—compatible with cultural values and local actors’ interpretations—can strengthen the recognition of the value of built heritage and foster sustainable human development. Given the existing typological diversity, the study concludes that it is essential to adapt the model of OUV reinterpretation to each specific context, acknowledging the plurality of possible solutions and promoting a balanced integration of material and immaterial values without compromising existing cultural significance. Full article

Productive landscapes are an important part of intangible cultural heritage, and their protection and inheritance are of great significance to the prosperity and sustainable development of national culture. It not only reflects the wisdom accumulated through the long-term interaction between human production activities and the natural environment, but also carries a strong symbolic meaning of rural culture. However, current research and investigation on productive landscapes still rely mainly on field surveys and manual records conducted by experts and scholars. This process is time-consuming and costly, and it is difficult to achieve efficient and systematic analysis and comparison, especially when dealing with large-scale and diverse types of landscapes. To address this problem, this study takes the Inner Mongolia region as the main research area and builds a productive landscape feature data framework that reflects the diversity of rural production activities and cultural landscapes. The framework covers four major types of landscapes: agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery and hunting, and sideline production and processing. Based on artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies, this study conducts comparative experiments on several convolutional neural network models to evaluate their classification performance and adaptability in complex rural environments. The results show that the improved CEM-ResNet50 model performs better than the other models in terms of accuracy, stability, and feature recognition ability, demonstrating stronger generalization and robustness. Through a semantic clustering approach in image classification, the model’s recognition process is visually interpreted, revealing the clustering patterns and possible sources of confusion among different landscape elements in the semantic space. This study reduces the time and economic cost of traditional field investigations and achieves efficient and intelligent recognition of rural productive landscapes. It also provides a new technical approach for the digital protection and cultural heritage transmission of productive landscapes, offering valuable references for future research in related fields. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between architectural colour and cultural identity in the ancient villages of Hebei Province, emphasising the role of colour in cultural heritage preservation and sustainable development. The research aims to (1) identify the dominant chromatic attributes of Hebei’s village architecture, (2) interpret their cultural and symbolic meanings, and (3) construct a colour model applicable to heritage conservation. A qualitative case study approach was employed across four representative villages, combining field surveys, semi-structured interviews, and digital colour analysis using the COLORO system. The findings reveal that the prevailing hues—ranging from red and yellow to ochre and brown—derive from local stone and timber, embodying values of stability, humility, and harmony with the environment. Decorative elements in bright red and gold signify celebration and community vitality, contrasting with the subdued architectural tones. Integrating these empirical and cultural insights, this study proposes the Colour Symbol System for Hebei Ancient Villages (CSSHAV)—a model that unites quantitative colour parameters with qualitative cultural interpretation. The CSSHAV serves as a practical framework for guiding colour conservation, policy development, and sustainable design in rural heritage contexts. The originality of this study lies in bridging scientific colour measurement with cultural semiotics, providing both theoretical advancement and actionable guidance for the preservation of regional chromatic identity. The findings identify increasing risks of colour homogenisation under the pressures of globalisation. Through the CSSHAV model, it proposes strategies to preserve Hebei’s traditional chromatic identity by integrating digital colour analysis with cultural interpretation. This balance between conservation and innovation contributes to sustaining both the aesthetic integrity and cultural vitality of ancient villages. Full article

The digital transformation of cultural heritage has expanded the availability of data while revealing structural forms of incompleteness. This study investigates how missing data are conceptualised in the scientific and design literature on digital cultural heritage and how Advanced Design can transform absence into a resource. The research combines a critical thematic review of peer-reviewed publications from 2010 to 2025 with Research through Design practices and case studies developed within the PNRR CHANGES project. The analysis identifies three main configurations of absence: processual gaps arising along the data lifecycle, epistemic exclusions embedded in standards and knowledge models, and projectual shortcomings related to governance and participation. Based on these findings, a design taxonomy and an operational model are proposed, linking each form of absence to specific levers of intervention, such as transparency of workflows, community-grounded annotation and narration, collaborative metadata writing, and long-term maintenance practices. The results show that Advanced Design provides an infrastructural and reflective framework capable of connecting technical processes, cultural interpretation, and community involvement. The study concludes that incompleteness, rather than a defect, can act as a generative condition for digital heritage, fostering more inclusive, situated, and transformative design practices. Full article

This study explores how the Digital Dunhuang project transforms the heritage experience and the meaning-making of visitors, marking a shift from material conservation to digital presence. Drawing upon Freeman Tilden’s principles of heritage interpretation, this research examines how digital interpretive practices, including virtual caves, interactive installations, and immersive imaging, facilitate a cultural experience that moves “from the tangible to the rational, and from the rational to the emotional.” By comparing traditional on-site visits with digital encounters, the study investigates differences in visitors’ knowledge acquisition, emotional resonance, and conservation awareness. Employing semi-structured interviews and participant observation, the research involves visitors, curators, and project managers, complemented by on-site observations at the Digital Dunhuang exhibition. Findings reveal that digital interpretation not only enhances the accessibility and democratization of cultural heritage but also redefines the aura and authenticity of heritage in the context of contemporary cultural consumption. Full article

Suzhou’s historic city center serves as a significant repository of Jiangnan cultural memory. However, ongoing urban modernization and large-scale population inflows have introduced notable challenges to heritage preservation, particularly deficiencies in spatial structure and coordination. Accordingly, this study constructs a “Historical Stratification–Spatial Cognition–Existential Narrative” framework to interpret the city’s historical urban landscape. Focusing on Suzhou—a representative canal-based historic city—this research integrates literature review with field investigation. It maps the physical points, lines, and planes of the historical urban landscape to corresponding elements, scenes, and plots within spatial narratives, thereby forming coherent and multi-perspective pathways of historical spatial narration. Moreover, by examining the coupled relationship among space, narrative, and memory, the study analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution and cultural characteristics of Suzhou’s water–land symbiosis. As a result, it identifies the intrinsic logic and mechanisms of spatial narratives within historic urban landscapes and expands the applicability of spatial narrative theory. Overall, the findings provide new insights for uncovering and revitalizing cultural heritage in Suzhou’s Old City within the Jiangnan context, while offering innovative conservation approaches and methodological strategies for reconstructing historical memory and guiding sustainable urban renewal. Full article

Liu Zhi’s (1664–1734) seminal work The Interpretation of the Five Pillars systematically employs Confucian doctrine to explicate the Five Pillars of Islam. As part of the Ming-Qing cultural movement of “interpreting Islamic scriptures through Confucianism,” Liu assimilated Neo-Confucian philosophical concepts to develop a Sinicized Islamic religious philosophy. Building upon this foundation, he analyzed the Five Pillars through three conceptual lenses: realm theory (境界论), cultivation theory (修养论), and praxis methodology (工夫论). By synthesizing the Confucian cultivation path of “exhausting the mind and knowing human nature” (尽心知性 jin xin zhi xing) with Islamic daily rituals, Liu Zhi developed a distinctive theory of mind-cultivation (心性论 xinxing lun) through ritual practice. This philosophical framework guided Chinese Muslims to transcend external ritual observance towards internal spiritual refinement, as encapsulated in the triad of “self-cultivation, mental purification, and fulfillment of human nature” (修身、清心、尽性). His synthesis of Islamic ritual with Confucian culture maintained fidelity to Islamic teachings while incorporating China’s profound Confucian heritage. Liu Zhi’s efforts in Islamic inculturation provide both a paradigmatic model for the cultural adaptation of religious rituals across traditions and a valuable reference for contemporary construction of Sinicized religious thought. His achievement, an exemplary exercise in interreligious theology, demonstrates how doctrinal fidelity and cultural localization can be harmoniously reconciled through philosophical innovation. Full article

This study examines the three pagodas of the Mireuksa Temple Site—the West, East, and Wooden Pagodas—to analyze how material evidence, cultural memory, and representation shape authenticity in architectural heritage. The research aims to clarify how different conservation strategies, including authentic restoration, speculative reconstruction, and digital mediation, influence the construction and communication of cultural memory. Methodologically, the study employs a comparative case analysis grounded in archival research, archaeological records, field observations, and interpretive analysis of digital media practices. The findings indicate three distinct patterns: (1) the West Pagoda demonstrates that evidence-based restoration can maintain both material and historical authenticity; (2) the East Pagoda shows that reconstructions based on limited evidence tend to generate visually convincing yet historically uncertain representations; and (3) the Wooden Pagoda illustrates that digital mediation can effectively communicate lost heritage, but only when its speculative nature is made transparent to the public. The most significant result is that authenticity cannot be defined solely by material survival but must be evaluated through the ethical and transparent communication of historical uncertainty. Based on these insights, the study proposes a conceptual framework of “memory authenticity,” offering heritage practitioners a tool for assessing restoration choices in contexts where architectural evidence is fragmentary or lost. The findings also provide practical implications for heritage management, including evidence-based decision-making, ethically informed digital interpretation, and responsible presentation of reconstructed or hypothetical forms. Full article

The 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property remains the cornerstone international instrument governing the restitution of cultural objects in peacetime. This article critically assesses the extent to which the Convention still fulfils its objectives more than five decades after its adoption. Through a legal and analytical examination of its core provisions, national implementation practices and selected judicial decisions, the study identifies several structural weaknesses that limit its effectiveness. These include the use of broad and indeterminate language, the lack of enforcement mechanisms, significant divergences between domestic legal frameworks and persistent challenges relating to provenance, scope, non-retroactivity and the interpretation of good faith. The article further discusses the extent to which States have attempted to mitigate these shortcomings through complementary legislative, judicial and diplomatic measures. It concludes that although the Convention retains important symbolic and normative value, its operational limitations continue to impede the effective recovery of cultural heritage. The article argues that a carefully designed amendment process, coupled with strengthened bilateral or regional cooperation, could enhance the Convention’s future implementation. Full article

This study builds on a previously developed typo-morphological method used for the rural architecture of the “Capo Due Rami” area and tests its transferability to the northern sector of Sabaudia within the Pontine reclamation system. Beyond the historical, typological, and landscape dimensions explored earlier, this research adds a further analytical component focused on the relationship between settlement form and territorial planning. This extension represents the major methodological contribution of the study, allowing the repetitive structure of Opera Nazionale Combattenti farm units to be interpreted not only as a building system but also as an implicit territorial-planning device. The case study, located in the northern sector of Sabaudia, explores the relationships between the colonial settlements of the Opera Nazionale Combattenti (ONC), the agrarian framework, and the reclamation infrastructures, interpreting the repetition of settlement models as an implicit form of territorial planning. Using an integrated framework based on field surveys, archival materials, and multiscale cartographic analyses, the observation sheets show how architectural features, land-division schemes, and reclamation infrastructures are structurally interrelated. The results show that this new analytical dimension enhances the method’s interpretative capacity, highlighting the role of typological standardization in shaping the spatial and cultural structure of the reclaimed landscape. They reveal the morphological and functional consistency between architecture and landscape. Overall, the investigation confirms the coherence and replicability of the expanded approach. It shows that rural architecture is not only the material expression of a productive model but also an active agent in constructing and regulating the Pontine agrarian territory. Rural building emerges not only as the material outcome of a productive model but also as an active agent in shaping the agrarian territory. The research helps establish a comparative framework for interpreting Italian rural landscapes, supporting the valorization of vernacular heritage and reflection on the implicit planning principles embedded in typological architecture. Full article