Search Results (475)

The present paper deals with community participation in destination planning, using the small town of Koroni in Greece and the associated Maniatakeion Foundation as a case study. Benefiting from the author’s consulting experience and based on interviews with the foundation’s owner and the local community, on local press articles and a business plan on the development of Koroni, the paper aims at exploring the following: (A) how the participation of the local community in destination planning can lead to concrete plans and actions towards achieving sustainable development; and (B) the role of civil society organisations to this end. At first, the existing development model of Koroni is outlined. Then, the new development model of Koroni, based on the Mediterranean Diet, is analysed: how it was crafted; how it was implemented; what the role of the Maniatakeion Foundation was; and whether it was embraced by the local community groups. It is shown that (A) Koroni managed to shift from a mass tourism development model towards an alternate model that is rooted in sustainable development. Also, the fact that Koroni, which had no brand name (even on a local level), succeeded in acquiring an international brand name through the inscription of the Mediterranean Diet on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List; (B) the destination planning process was initiated, coordinated, and operated by the local civil organisation Maniatakeion Foundation. The key lesson of broader application to be taken is that civil society organisations can build integrity and capacity and play a leading (and not only a supportive-supplementary) role in destination planning. Full article

This article proposes the term ‘generative artifact’ to define a new method of imagining the future, one derived from artistic and architectural interpretations of non-linear time, material exploration, and relationship building. This contrasts the imagining that happened in the past by European and North American dominant culture, born out of fears of a declining Western hegemony and resulting in socially constructed hierarchies based on race. To investigate this historic and outdated imagining of culture, we trace the history of Chinatown and the ornamented feminine body as a physical example of hypervisibility in the North American city. First, we examine the current discourse on Chinatowns’ Orientalist aesthetics, legitimacy through institutionalized nonspecificity, and architectural/artifactual heritage, which serve as a mirror and moor for the Chinese diaspora today. Here, we find clues on how to navigate and leverage the spectacle of the racial image, the continuous merging of person and thing, and the tropes that the racialized body might find itself answering for. To illustrate the potential of the generative process and through the lenses of Anne Anlin Cheng’s theory of ornamentalism and Legacy Russell’s glitch feminism, this article places Chinatown adjacent to the worldbuilding and artistic practices of seven contemporary artists and architects. This includes Astria Suparak (performance critique), Curry J. Hackett (AI, installation), Shellie Zhang (sculpture), Lan “Florence” Yee (textile), Debra Sparrow (weaving, murals), Thomas Cannell (sculpture), and the author (performance). All are from varied cultural backgrounds who create ‘generative artifacts’ in their creative practices—works that playfully slip between sign/icon, high/low tech, and authentic/invented culture to point towards a path to imagining more expansive futures. Full article

The Djebel Amour region, located in the Western Saharan Atlas of Algeria, hosts a vernacular mosque heritage that remains largely unexplored. This study presents the first comprehensive typo-morphological analysis of fourteen mosques dating from the 11th to the 20th century. Their original architectural state was reconstructed through the triangulation of field surveys, archival documentation, iconographic sources, and oral testimonies. A reference model based on four recurrent components—the prayer hall with its mihrab, courtyard, portico, and minaret—enabled the identification of typological constants, contextual variations, and vernacular constructive logics. The results reveal the persistence of sober and functional forms, marked by the frequent absence of a courtyard and the presence of skiffa-inspired porticos and staircase minarets. A complementary quantitative component strengthens cross-regional comparisons and situates the Djebel Amour corpus within wider North African, West African, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian vernacular mosque traditions. Beyond architectural reconstruction, this study develops an operational framework for conservation and transformation management, supported by a structured database that systematises typological, material, and construction data. While the analysis relies primarily on photogrammetric documentation, the proposed framework is compatible with international digital standards and can be expanded through methods such as 3D laser scanning, drone-based surveys, or geospatial modelling. By integrating qualitative, quantitative, and digital perspectives, this research offers practical tools for heritage authorities, local administrations, mosque committees, architects, designers, and conservation practitioners, positioning the Djebel Amour mosques as a reference model for sustainable heritage management and contextual adaptation in arid and tribal environments. Full article

The purpose of the article is to show how a city can develop in symbiosis with its natural environment and protected area, which is in line with the idea of sustainable development. The study examines the role and importance of post-mining land reclamation in restoring the natural values of degraded areas. The authors present the theme of the symbiosis between architecture and unique nature—understood simultaneously as natural and cultural heritage—using the example of the Polish city of Kielce and its surroundings. This is an area rich in green spaces, including protected ones, within and around which urban space is developing and where both historical and contemporary architecture is situated. This study demonstrates that symbiosis, the protection of nature, and cultural heritage are key elements of contemporary design. The city and architecture can thrive in post-mining areas, and the reclamation process, as the research suggests, can catalyse the creation of architecture that is deeply embedded in the landscape, complementing it rather than competing with it. Social surveys conducted for this study indicate that residents of the region recognise and appreciate the need to protect natural resources and integrate architecture with nature, demonstrating the relevance and timeliness of the issues addressed. Full article

Despite extensive and multigenerational efforts by the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes to educate the larger public about the sovereign right and authority of Cherokee governments to determine affiliation, well over a million unaffiliated and unsubstantiated American claimants still declare Cherokee heritage in official records, deforming public understanding and reinforcing dangerously anti-Native racial logics. This article considers the problems associated with the “Cherokee” population categories in the 2020 U.S. census, its relationship to genealogical stereotypes in mainstream family history research, its dangers to Cherokee nationhood, and its consequences for Indian Country as a whole. Full article

In the context of museums’ transformation into active social agents, the Entre Luces (Between Lights) project, developed at the Pablo Gargallo Museum in Zaragoza, serves as a compelling example of accessibility understood as a shared cultural responsibility. Implemented within a listed heritage building, where structural modifications were not possible, the project deliberately shifted the focus from architectural accessibility to communicative, cognitive, and sensory dimensions, placing the quality of the cultural experience at the centre. The study employed a qualitative case study design based on document analysis, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews with museum staff, educators, and members of disability organisations. Through a participatory and iterative co-design process, curators, educators, vocational students, and disability organisations collaborated to develop inclusive solutions. People with disabilities were not regarded as passive users but as co-authors of the process: they contributed to the creation of tactile replicas, audio descriptions, sign language resources, braille, pictograms, and motion-activated audio systems. The project generated three main outcomes. It expanded cultural participation among people with diverse disabilities, enriched the sensory and emotional experience of all visitors, and initiated an institutional transformation that reshaped staff training, interpretive approaches, and the museum’s mission towards inclusivity. Entre Luces demonstrates that even small and medium-sized museums can overcome heritage constraints and promote cultural equity and social innovation through inclusive and sensory-based approaches. Full article

This study examines the evolving relationship between the Port of Motril and the adjacent fishing community of El Varadero. The reduction in fishing quotas and the port’s transformation into a maritime transport hub have not only reshaped the connection between the area and the port but have also contributed to the gradual decline of the local community. Through a community survey conducted among residents of the fishing neighborhood and the urban center (n = 65), we assessed community assets, psychological sense of community, and collective self-efficacy in this coastal area in southern Granada. The survey findings were supplemented with interviews with key informants from the local fishing sector (n = 5). The results indicate that residents of the fishing neighborhood perceive a higher prevalence of social problems and report a diminished sense of belonging. The community’s historical ties to the port have progressively weakened, exposing residents to ongoing socio-economic decline. This study explores the potential of fishing cultural heritage as a resource for local development and highlights the need for integrated governance between the fishing sector and the local authorities. Full article

Architectural heritage and the actions—positive and negative—concerning it, are not only different in each country, but they also change over time. It is widely assumed that this is due to changes in values. However, the more determining factors are education and political systems. These two are intrinsically connected, and affect the making of local and national contexts, which ultimately support, or not, protection and conservation actions. Invariably, in democratic settings with high levels of education, architectural heritage is valued, protected and conserved. Historically—and unlike in other disciplines—in architectural conservation, theory was only defined after successful practice and by the competent professionals who executed it. This is the case of the Venice Charter (1964), still the main reference for practitioners when intervening in architectural heritage. There is a clear relationship between the emergence of literature on the economics of heritage, heritage management and cultural geography, and the recent trends promoting the de-listing of buildings or to allow them to decline to avoid the cost of conservation and maintenance. This literature is used to justify these actions and, ironically, sometimes more funds are spent on digitally documenting buildings and/or talking about them than maintaining them. This is clear evidence of the deviation of the very purpose of conserving architectural heritage, which has been passed to us for our generation to enjoy, and we should do our best to transmit it to future ones. This paper discusses the current situation in Europe concerning architectural conservation, with a particular focus on the Council of Europe Framework Conventions of Granada (1985) and Faro (2005), and the approach and practices in individual countries. It discusses some representative examples, identifying the main theories (and lack of) employed by governments, authorities and professionals and the outcomes. It reflects on the reasons why we have arrived at the current situation of architectural conservation being misunderstood or underrepresented. The paper also defines the need for coordinated policy actions, particularly the formal classification of architectural conservation as a scientific discipline. It presents the need for more research and specialist education in architectural conservation to improve current unregulated and inappropriate practices. Full article

Hybrid hydrophobic coatings (HHCs), which combine organic and inorganic materials, have demonstrated superior weathering resistance compared to conventional organic coatings in conserving stone heritage structures. Among the inorganic components of HHCs, nanosilica is especially promising because of its ability to form durable, weathering-resistant and hydrophobic silane-based structures. This overview examined recent studies, advances, and emerging trends about nanosilica-based HHCs from 2020 to 2024 using the “Boolean strategy” and search terms “stone”, “heritage”, “hydrophobic”, and “coating”, capturing 5244 articles. After screening for titles containing “nanosilica” (470 items remained), excluding works related to “consolidants” and “cement” (171 items remained), and requiring quantitative data on formulations, methods, and performance of nanosilica-based HHCs in stone heritage structures, 16 relevant works were identified. China and Italy dominated research works on nanosilica-based HHC development, which was applied to stone heritage structures composed of carbonate materials (e.g., limestone, dolomite, and Palazzolo carbonates) and silica-rich materials (e.g., Qingshi stone, Hedishi stone, and red sandstone). Key evaluation metrics reported by multiple authors to evaluate HHC efficacy included water contact angle (WCA), total color difference (TCD), and solution pH. Moreover, ultraviolet light (UV) durability, thermomechanical stability, biocidal efficiency, and graffiti protection were achieved when nanosilica was combined with other nanomaterials. Integrating emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), internet-of-things (IoT), and smartphones with colorimeter apps could improve accessibility, real-time monitoring and reliability of HHC testing, while adherence to standardized testing protocols would further enhance comparability and practical application across studies. Overall, this overview provides valuable insights into nanosilica-based HHCs for researchers and restorers/conservators of stone heritage structures. Full article

Preservation design is characterized by high interactions among different skills, including both architectural and engineering field. When the architectural heritage is composed of the ruins of a medieval fortress, the contribution of archeological studies is fundamental to recognize the different construction phases of the building. This work presents the most recent stratigraphic analyses conducted on the fortress of Vogogna, a military masonry castle in Ossola Valley, Piedmont, whose origin is lost in time and provides further support to define the correct interpretation of the architectural artifact. Previous studies showed several shortcomings concerning the historical evolution of the structure and a precise geometrical survey. The authors developed a geometrical model of the archeological site, through advanced survey techniques, and analyzed the historical maps of the cadasters to investigate additions and transformations of the abandoned fortress and its connection with the rural and natural surrounding fields. The updated information provided new indications for the past uses of the building, and the digital model allowed further considerations on the geometrical characteristics of the structures, addressing some choices for the final reuse proposal for the site, today at the center of a wider project to enhance the cultural heritage in the Vogogna area. Full article

Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) is the application of BIM, an information management and modelling process, to cultural heritage (CH) assets. HBIM will provide tangible benefits to the heritage community by providing an enduring record of assets, facilitating more informed decision-making, and enabling more efficient resource management. However, the HBIM application is characterised by disparate methodologies and an inconclusive understanding of what the HBIM system should be achieving. The article aimed to validate thirty-three system requirements for HBIM previously proposed by the authors and evaluate their relative criticality for both the UK and international heritage community. It presents the results of an extensive survey undertaken with the international heritage community. The thirty-three system requirements were found to be valid for both the UK and international heritage community. However, some variation in the relative criticality of the requirements according to region was identified, the most notable of which was the perceived criticality of system requirements related to visualisation. Nine requirements were updated, and an additional requirement was added to reflect feedback received from participants. One requirement was altered by the authors to encompass a greater scope. Future work will investigate opportunities for requirement realisation and produce a theoretical framework for HBIM adoption. Full article

Historically, predator control has been a frequent practice conducted in the hunting grounds of Spain. After the approval of Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, and the enforcement of international regulations, predator control methods are required to be selective, non-massive, and conducted by trained specialists when traps are used; however, there is a lack of research on the current status of predator management. Data was gathered from 16 regional wildlife departments and from 373 questionnaires from hunting grounds targeting the conservation of small game species. Seven predatory species were included in the regional game species lists, the most frequently controlled being the red fox (Vulpes vulpes, 90.4%), wild boar (Sus scrofa, 78.3%), and Eurasian magpie (Pica pica, 51.5%), with control intensity differing among regions. In total, 87% of the questionnaire respondents declared controlling at least one predator species, while 49.3% employed gamekeepers to perform the control. In all surveyed regions, shooting was authorized, and it was the most frequent control method in hunting grounds for the aforementioned species (ranging from 76 to 100%), while the use of approved restraint methods was allowed in 11 regions but only used in 7 for foxes (8%) and magpies (25%). The control intensity (animals culled/km²) for foxes was higher when conducted by full-time keepers, while for magpies and wild boars, it was higher when conducted by hunters. The implementation of habitat management (agricultural and forest measures) that helps to reduce predation was higher in hunting grounds not conducting predator control. Based on our results, we propose a national predation management framework focused on controlling rather than removing predators. Full article

Protection of coastal cultural heritage is among the most urgent global priorities, as these sites face increasing threats from climate change, sea level rise, and human activity. This study emphasises the value of innovative geospatial tools and data ecosystems for timely risk assessment. The role of land administration systems, geospatial documentation of coastal cultural heritage sites, and the adoption of innovative techniques that combine various methodologies is crucial for timely action. The coastal management infrastructure in Greece is presented, outlining the key public authorities and national legislation, as well as the land administration and geospatial ecosystems and the various available geospatial ecosystems. We profile the Hellenic Cadastre and the Hellenic Archaeological Cadastre along with open geospatial resources, and introduce TRIQUETRA Decision Support System (DSS), produced through the EU’s Horizon project, and a Digital Twin methodology for hazard identification, quantification, and mitigation. Particular emphasis is given to the role of Digital Twin technology, which acts as a continuously updated virtual replica of coastal cultural heritage sites, integrating heterogeneous geospatial datasets such as cadastral information, photogrammetric 3D models, climate projections, and hazard simulations, allowing for stakeholders to test future scenarios of sea level rise, flooding, and erosion, offering an advanced tool for resilience planning. The approach is validated at the coastal archaeological site of Aegina Kolona, where a UAV-based SfM-MVS survey produced using high-resolution photogrammetric outputs, including a dense point cloud exceeding 60 million points, a 5 cm resolution Digital Surface Model, high-resolution orthomosaics with a ground sampling distance of 1 cm and 2.5 cm, and a textured 3D model using more than 6000 nadir and oblique images. These products provided a geospatial infrastructure for flood risk assessment under extreme rainfall events, following a multi-scale hydrologic–hydraulic modelling framework. Island-scale simulations using a 5 m Digital Elevation Model (DEM) were coupled with site-scale modelling based on the high-resolution UAV-derived DEM, allowing for the nested evaluation of water flow, inundation extents, and velocity patterns. This approach revealed spatially variable flood impacts on individual structures, highlighted the sensitivity of the results to watershed delineation and model resolution, and identified critical intervention windows for temporary protection measures. We conclude that integrating land administration systems, open geospatial data, and Digital Twin technology provides a practical pathway to proactive and efficient management, increasing resilience for coastal heritage against climate change threats. Full article

The objective of this article is to provide a critical analysis of maritime heterotopia as a category for reinterpreting ships, shipwrecks and maritime landscapes between the 16th and 18th centuries. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining history, underwater archaeology, heritage theory and literary analysis, it explores the ways in which maritime spaces, especially ships and shipwrecks, functioned as ‘other spaces’–following Foucault’s concept of heterotopia–in the articulation of imperial projects, power relations, experiences of transit and narratives of memory. A particular focus has been placed on the examination of shipwreck accounts, which are regarded as microhistories of human behaviour in contexts of crisis. These accounts have been shown to offer insights into alternative social structures, dynamics of authority, and manifestations of violence or solidarity. A review of the legal framework and practices related to shipwrecks in the Spanish Carrera de Indias is also undertaken, with particular emphasis on their impact on maritime legislation and international law. This article proposes a reading of maritime heritage as a symbolic and political device in constant dispute, where material remains and associated narratives shape collective memories, geopolitical tensions and new forms of cultural appropriation. Shipwrecks thus become sites of rupture and origin, charged with utopian, dystopian and heterotopic potential. Full article

Throughout history, humans have used the environment to build structures for defense. Fortifications are clear examples of buildings created to better protect important settlements and homes. Over time, these structures have gone beyond their original purpose of shielding residents inside and around the walls, now functioning as complex centers for political, economic, administrative, and cultural governance. Additionally, communication networks have been established between strongholds, forming a defensive system for a region or country. Therefore, Fortifications and military heritage exemplify typologies of heritage developed in an organic relationship with the unique environment shaped by human activities. Walled towns are safeguarded by maintaining their functions or being designated cultural heritage among these fortifications and military heritage. Through this study, we analyze the Haemi-eupseong Walled Town (in Korean ‘읍성,’ in Chinese ‘邑城’) as one of Korea’s typical walled towns concerning the attributes that reflect the authenticity according to ‘the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention’ and examine the efforts of the conservation management entity to sustain and utilize this authority by applying the theory and methodology outlined in the ICOMOS Guidelines on Fortifications and Military Heritage, officially adopted in 2021 by ICOMOS, the cultural heritage advisory body under UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, to Haemi-eupseong. The goal is to explore theoretical approaches to heritage value, develop systematic methods for heritage utilization, and propose strategies for sustainably preserving the importance of heritage. Full article