Search Results (60)

Currently, within the scope of research on the protection and adaptive reuse of industrial heritage, there is a relative paucity of quantitative studies focusing on pedestrian vitality at the micro-street level. Qingdao Textile Valley, a quintessential example of a creative industrial park, necessitates an in-depth examination of how street vitality influences operational efficacy. This study employs AnyLogic simulation software and spatial syntax Depthmap software, complemented by field survey data, to conduct a comprehensive simulation analysis of pedestrian density and spatial accessibility along the park’s core-periphery roadways. Based on the issues identified through this analysis, several improvement strategies are proposed, particularly increasing the density of the pedestrian network and improving network connectivity. The effectiveness of these strategies was validated through simulation. The research findings indicate that the optimized plan led to an increase in pedestrian traffic on the peripheral streets of the park, mitigated congestion on core roads, and substantially enhanced the overall vitality of the street network. This research offers valuable methodological references and practical insights for developing creative industrial parks and the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage in Qingdao and other regions. Full article

Traditional ethnographic methods have long been employed to study craft practices, yet they often fall short of capturing the full depth of embodied knowledge, material interactions, and procedural workflows inherent in craftsmanship. This paper introduces a digitally enhanced ethnographic framework that integrates Motion Capture, 3D scanning, audiovisual documentation, and semantic knowledge representation to document both the tangible and dynamic aspects of craft processes. By distinguishing between endurant (tools, materials, objects) and perdurant (actions, events, transformations) entities, we propose a structured methodology for analyzing craft gestures, material behaviors, and production workflows. The study applies this proposed framework to eight European craft traditions—including glassblowing, tapestry weaving, woodcarving, porcelain pottery, marble carving, silversmithing, clay pottery, and textile weaving—demonstrating the adaptability of digital ethnographic tools across disciplines. Through a combination of multimodal data acquisition and expert-driven annotation, we present a comprehensive model for craft documentation that enhances the preservation, education, and analysis of artisanal knowledge. This research contributes to the ongoing evolution of ethnographic methods by bridging digital technology with Cultural Heritage studies, offering a robust framework for understanding the mechanics and meanings of craft practices. Full article

Batik, a traditional Indonesian textile art, significantly contributes to Pekalongan’s economy but has severe environmental impacts. The production process depletes groundwater and causes land subsidence. This study evaluates the potential of a water cadastre system to address these issues while preserving cultural heritage. By analysing batik production data, groundwater extraction, and subsidence trends via satellite imagery and field surveys, the research reveals a marked decline in groundwater levels and increased subsidence. The findings underscore the need for integrated water management to protect Pekalongan’s environment and cultural legacy, with a water cadastre system offering a possible solution. Full article

The intersection of serious games, advanced technologies, and culture offers new paths for fostering social inclusion and sustainability. This position paper presents i-Game, an EU project dedicated to transforming the relationship between cultural heritage and the gaming industry. By creating an open-source platform for inclusive game development, i-Game integrates tools such as Explainable AI (XAI) and virtual reality to enable diverse stakeholders—including underrepresented groups—to co-create games that address societal and cultural challenges. Through pilot projects in museums and the textile industry, i-Game explores the potential of gamification to enhance learning, creativity, and collaboration while advancing sustainable practices. The project highlights how interdisciplinary methodologies and ethical-design principles can reshape the cultural heritage landscape, democratizing access to innovative tools and fostering a deeper connection between technology and heritage. Full article

This study introduces a comprehensive phygital framework tailored for small local museums, addressing the unique challenges of textile exhibitions. By seamlessly integrating physical artifacts with advanced digital tools through a user-centered design–thinking approach, the platform transforms traditional museum visits into hybrid experiences. The research addresses challenges faced by small museums, such as limited interactivity, static information presentation, and resource constraints. The findings demonstrate that the phygital platform significantly enhances visitor satisfaction, usability, and engagement. Features like mobile applications, chatbots, and gamification foster dynamic interactions, increasing interest in historical textile collections. The evaluation highlights positive impacts on visitor learning and accessibility, with high usability scores and favorable feedback confirming the platform’s success. By bridging physical and digital realms, the platform empowers small local museums to modernize their exhibition experience offerings while preserving their authenticity and cultural significance. This study contributes to the growing literature on phygital strategies in museum contexts, offering practical recommendations for implementing such platforms in resource-constrained settings. The findings underscore the potential of phygital approaches to foster deeper connections with cultural heritage, ensure broader accessibility, and support sustainable visitor engagement. Full article

This work describes the effects of using neutron irradiation on cellulose and non-destructive methods to analyze linen fabrics of high heritage value. For this purpose, 8 samples were irradiated with increasing doses of neutrons and gamma rays up to 166 kGy of total dose. The samples were characterized by techniques such as ultraviolet luminescence, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. The luminescence of linen fabrics in the ultraviolet range increases markedly with dosage. Some chemical changes were also perceived by the ATR-FTIR spectra in the linen samples. Similarly, the fluorescence background observed in Raman spectroscopy intensifies with dosage. Due to the heterogeneity of the textile cellulose, NMR offers limited applicability for detecting neutron doses in cultural heritage fabrics. Radiation is applied for preservation against microorganisms in cultural heritage objects where the damage is to be assessed. This radiation can occasionally be found after earthquakes or in volcanic archaeological sites, which could question its dating using carbon 14. Despite some limitations encountered due to working with commonly used linen fabrics, the techniques employed in this study have made it possible to observe trends between the responses obtained and the irradiation dose for each linen sample. Full article

Today, there is an increasing concern and effort for protection, conservation, and restoration of cultural heritage materials. Non-invasive analytical methodologies such as Raman spectroscopy offers various advantages such as high speed, robust identification, low cost, and in-site analysis. Previous contributions highlighted the potential of Raman spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistics for identification and quality evaluation of cultural heritage materials such as paints, fiber, dyes, woods, stones, inks, and textile materials. Especially, application of chemometrics and multivariate statistics algorithms opens new horizons for scientists and inspectors. In conclusion, the paper provided an overview of the state-of-the-art uses of multivariate statistically equipped Raman spectroscopy methods for evaluation of cultural heritage and art materials with illustrations from previous research studies. Full article

In the 19th century, the weighting of silk with metal salts, such as tin, was a common practice to enhance certain properties of silk fabrics and compensate for the weight loss incurred during the degumming process. This technique induces both physical and chemical modifications to the fibres, contributing to their long-term degradation, which requires thorough investigation. This study aims to examine the structural changes in silk fibres caused by the accumulation of metal salts from the tin-weighting process, using mock-up samples prepared through successive loading with weighting agents using a traditional tin-phosphate treatment method. Unweighted and tin-weighted silk samples were compared using scanning electron (SEM) micrographs, which presented the dispersed nanoparticles on the fibres, while through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping, the presence and uniform distribution of the weighting agents were confirmed. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed structural changes in tin-weighted silk samples compared to untreated ones, including shifts in amide bands, altered water/hydroxyl and skeletal stretching regions, and increased skeletal band intensities suggesting modifications in hydrogen bonding, β-sheet content, and structural disorder without significantly impacting the overall crystallinity index. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of both pristine and tin-weighted silk samples revealed significant alterations, predominantly in the amorphous regions of the silk upon weighting. These structural changes were further examined using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS), which provided detailed insights into modifications occurring at the nanometre scale. The analyses suggested disruptions in β-sheet crystals and intermolecular packing, especially in the amorphous regions, with increasing amounts of tin-weighting. Contact angle analysis (CA) revealed that the tin-phosphate-weighting process significantly impacted silk surface properties, transforming it from moderately hydrophobic to highly hydrophilic. These changes indicate that the incorporation of tin-phosphate nanoparticles on and within silk fibres could restrict the flexibility of polymer chains, impacting the physical properties and potentially the degradation behaviour of silk textiles. By studying these structural changes, we aim to deepen our understanding of how tin-weighting impacts silk fibre structure, contributing valuable insights into the longevity, conservation, and preservation strategies of silk textiles in the context of cultural heritage. Full article

Contemporary post-industrial urban areas face opposing transformation trends: on one hand, abandonment or underutilization, and its replacement by new constructions and uses, on the other hand, the revaluation of the historical fabric and the implementation of initiatives to rehabilitate this legacy as industrial heritage. This study aimed to understand the factors that influence trends, and simulate land-use scenarios. A methodology based on three phases is proposed: digitization, exploratory spatial data analysis and simulation. Using the former textile district of Bellavista in Tomé (Chile), this study created and used historical land-use maps from 1970, 1992 and 2019. Meanwhile the main change observed from 1970 to 1992 was a 59.4% reduction in Historical Informal Open Spaces. The major change from 1992 to 2019 was the Historical Informal Open Space loss trend continuing; 65% of the land dedicated to this use changed to new usages. Consequently, the influence of two morphological factors and three urban management instruments on land-use changes between 1992 and 2019 was studied. The projection to 2030 showed a continued trend of expansion of new housing uses over historic urban green spaces and industrial areas on the waterfront, although restrained by the preservation of the central areas of historic housing and the textile factory. Full article

Handloom textile products play an essential role in both the financial and cultural landscape of natives, necessitating accurate and efficient methods for authenticating against replicated powerloom textiles for the protection of heritage and indigenous weavers’ economic viability. This paper presents a new approach to the automated identification of handloom textiles leveraging a deep metric learning technique. A labeled handloom textile dataset of 25,166 images was created by collecting handloom textile samples of six unique types, working with indigenous weavers in Assam, Northeast India. The proposed method achieved remarkable success by acquiring biased feature representations that facilitate the effective separation of different fiber types in a learned feature space. Through extensive experimentation and comparison with baseline models, our approach demonstrated superior efficiency in classifying handloom textiles with an accuracy of 97.8%. Our approach not only contributes to the preservation and promotion of traditional textile craftsmanship in the region but also highlights its significance. Full article

The Japanese textile tradition is renowned for its intricate designs achieved through a variety of dyeing techniques, including kasuri, shibori, and paste-resist dyeing. These techniques are often combined within a single textile, resulting in exceptionally elaborate creations. Our paper delves into the technical aspects and complexities of these methods, highlighting the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation in Japanese textile production. Our scientific endeavour focused on some textiles dating between the 19th and 20th centuries and belonging to the Montgomery Collection of Japanese folk art. Employing non-invasive techniques such as visible reflectance spectroscopy and ER-FTIR spectroscopy, we uncovered key insights into the materials and methods utilized in the creation of these textiles. Our analysis revealed a diverse array of pigments and dyes, including plant-derived, inorganic, and synthetic variants. These findings illuminate the cultural syncretism between traditional Japanese practices and the adoption of new materials from the West, underscoring the dynamic nature of textile production in Japan. Furthermore, ER-FTIR spectroscopy elucidated the predominant use of cotton as the primary fibre in the textiles, aligning with historical records of Japan’s role as a major producer of cotton yarn. Analysis of white areas within the textiles revealed evidence of resist-paste dyeing techniques, particularly tsutsugaki and katazome, through the absence of dye penetration and the characteristic appearance of white lines. Confirmation of indigo dyeing techniques (aizome) was achieved through ER-FTIR spectroscopy, providing reliable identification of indigo and Prussian blue in various shades of blue present in the textiles. Additionally, the detection of Western-derived dyeing method (utsushi-yūzen) and free-hand painting (kaki-e), offers insights into the diversity of dyeing practices employed by Japanese artisans. The presence of proteinaceous materials and synthetic dyes observed in some textiles has implications for conservation practices, suggesting the need for tailored approaches to ensure the preservation of these culturally significant artifacts. Overall, these scientific results shed new light on the materials, techniques, and cultural contexts underlying Japanese textile production, advancing our understanding of this rich artistic heritage and informing future research endeavours in textile science and conservation. Full article

Intangible cultural heritage is a people-centered living cultural heritage. Preservation, promotion, and talent cultivation are important aspects of intangible cultural heritage protection and also crucial guarantees for sustainable development. However, traditional video recordings lack three-dimensional spatial information, and the high cost of digital scanning and reconstruction still leaves no convenient, efficient, accurate, realistic, and low-cost solution for the preservation and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage projects. Here we introduce the binocular 180-degree panoramic display method, through which a platform for recording, showcasing, disseminating, and teaching intangible cultural heritage projects in the Sanlin Old Street of Shanghai was implemented. The platform requires only VR filming without the need for 3D modeling technology. The participants can freely select intangible cultural heritage projects on the map and immerse themselves in watching the Sanlin “Three Excellence” porcelain carving, local cuisine, and embroidery. They can also enjoy the dragon dance, experience the textile craftsmanship of Sanlin’s “Three Specialties”, and even observe the production process and details of the works from the perspective of the inheritor in the first person. The results show that compared to traditional video recordings and digital scanning reconstruction, the binocular 180-degree panoramic display provides a one-to-one, face-to-face, and low-cost solution for the preservation and dissemination of projects. It allows students to increase their knowledge of intangible cultural heritage and enhance their interest in inheritance. Full article

Nowadays, there is a growing awareness of environmental protection, new findings in the field of sustainable chemistry, the use of biodegradable materials, and the increased use of eco-friendly textile products. For this reason, natural dyes are being used more and more frequently, giving rise to a new way of decorating textiles, namely, plant transfer printing, popularly known as “eco-printing”, in which the shape and/or pigment of a plant is transferred to the textile. In addition, the great interest of the young generation in the application and research into the use of natural dyes can create incentives for cultural and social sustainability through the preservation of national heritage. Plant transfer printing is a method that combines scientific technology and artistic design with corresponding benefits for the eco system. The very fact that the patterns are unique and unpredictable brings out the notion of artistic freedom. In the work, plant transfer printing was carried out on undyed cotton material and on material dyed with pomegranate peels, walnut leaves, coffee, and aleppo pine bark. The influence of the pH value and the capillarity of the fabric, as well as the treatment of the leaves with iron(II) sulphate heptahydrate solution, on the aesthetics of the print and the colour fastness during washing was investigated. Based on the optimised parameters and a sustainable fabric design, the clothing collection “Hamadryad”, inspired by Greek mythology, was realised. Full article

Nanocelluloses have gained significant attention in recent years due to their singular properties (good biocompatibility, high optical transparency and mechanical strength, large specific surface area, and good film-forming ability) and wide-ranging applications (paper, food packaging, textiles, electronics, and biomedical). This article is a comprehensive review of the applications of nanocelluloses (cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils, and bacterial nanocellulose) in the conservation and restoration of historical paper documents, including their preparation methods and main properties. The novelty lies in the information collected about nanocelluloses as renewable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable materials in the field of cultural heritage preservation as an alternative to conventional methods. Several studies have demonstrated that nanocelluloses, with or without other particles, may impart to the paper documents excellent optical and mechanical properties, very good stability against temperature and humidity aging, higher antibacterial and antifungal activity, high protection from UV light, and may be applied without requiring additional adhesive. Full article

This article reviews the research recently undertaken to characterise and identify early synthetic dyes (ESDs) and synthetic organic pigments (SOPs) as well as study their degradation pathways with a focus on cultural heritage applications. Since the invention of the first fully synthetic dye in 1856, these materials have been used in a variety of historic objects and artworks, such as textiles, furniture, prints, paintings, drawings, etc. The synthesis of new dyes and their implementation into pigment formulations were rapid phenomena, so that by the beginning of the 20th century, thousands of new molecules were patented and commercialised. This review will focus on these early formulations synthesised up to approximately 1914 and the outbreak of World War I. ESDs and SOPs represent a challenge from an analytical point of view. Molecular databases are fundamental for the unequivocal identification of these compounds, but reference materials are not always readily available. A combination of analytical techniques is often needed for characterisation, especially in the case of SOPs, which have both organic and inorganic components. Furthermore, the degradation of these molecules can jeopardise their detection in historic objects that have been exposed to light, humidity and temperature fluctuations. Nevertheless, ESDs and SOPs are important research tools. As the dates of their first synthesis are often known with precision, based on patent information, their detection can be used to refine the production date of objects. Additionally, their trade from Europe to the world and their adoption in artistic practices around the globe is an active area of research. Full article