Topic Editors

Organisation of World Heritage Cities, Department for Cultural Heritage, City of Regensburg, 93047 Regensburg, Germany
Department of Art History, Uppsala University, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
Dr. Rohit Jigyasu
Programme Manager, ICCROM, Rome, Italy

(World) Heritage Sites and Values in Danger: Climate-Change Related Challenges and Transformation

Abstract submission deadline
closed (31 January 2025)
Manuscript submission deadline
30 May 2025
Viewed by
5571

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change and other regional or global challenges, like armed conflict, demographic changes, economic crises, mass tourism and many others, pose serious threats and have had a great impact on many (world) heritage sites around the globe. A significant number of sites are affected in a negative way, as heritage values are in danger and different parts of complete heritage systems are impacted. The understanding of cultural heritage is a holistic heritage approach that goes beyond traditional sectors of heritage as being tangible and intangible, but rather embraces the different parts together with people from cultural heritage. This MDPI topic collection across different scientific journals seeks to achieve the following aims:

  • To discuss challenges, threats and transformation at (world) heritage sites;
  • To provide examples and case studies to understand the effects and impacts;
  • To contextualize change and transformation from a theoretical perspective;
  • To understand the impact on heritage systems with a new heritage approach;
  • To provide insights into successful governance approaches and tools to stimulate resilience for heritage sites;
  • To reflect on recovery and mitigation approaches that are based on cultural heritage;
  • To understand how the impacts are affecting different parts and users of the heritage systems.

Dr. Matthias Ripp
Prof. Dr. Christer Gustafsson
Dr. Rohit Jigyasu
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • cultural heritage
  • climate change
  • transformation
  • conservation
  • urban planning

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Climate
climate
3.0 5.5 2013 19.7 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Heritage
heritage
2.0 2.9 2018 19.8 Days CHF 1600 Submit
Tourism and Hospitality
tourismhosp
- 3.0 2020 17.9 Days CHF 1200 Submit
Sustainability
sustainability
3.3 6.8 2009 19.7 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Conservation
conservation
- - 2021 35.6 Days CHF 1000 Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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23 pages, 635 KiB  
Article
Governance Strategies for the Management of Museums and Heritage Institutions
by Héctor Moreno Mendoza and Agustín Santana Talavera
Heritage 2025, 8(4), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8040127 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 343
Abstract
The management of museums and cultural heritage institutions requires a collaborative approach that involves diverse actors in decision-making. This study analyses four models of cultural management (dependent, autonomous, non-profit, and private) through case studies on the island of Gran Canaria, highlighting their advantages [...] Read more.
The management of museums and cultural heritage institutions requires a collaborative approach that involves diverse actors in decision-making. This study analyses four models of cultural management (dependent, autonomous, non-profit, and private) through case studies on the island of Gran Canaria, highlighting their advantages and limitations. As a result, a hybrid model of governance is proposed that integrates elements of the public, private, and social sectors, promoting the active participation of all stakeholders. However, the implementation of this model faces challenges such as resistance to change on the part of some institutions, the difficulty of coordinating divergent interests between public and private actors, and the need to establish regulatory frameworks that facilitate collaboration without compromising heritage conservation. Despite these obstacles, this approach seeks to improve the sustainability, efficiency, and adaptability of heritage institutions to contemporary tourism and conservation challenges. Full article
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10 pages, 1234 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Relationship Between Restorativeness, Environmental Risk Perception, and Well-Being: The Case Study of Piazzola sul Brenta
by Laura Miola, Enrico Rinaldi, Sara Di Resta and Francesca Pazzaglia
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11129; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411129 - 19 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 786
Abstract
Urban environments in Northeastern Italy, both natural and historical, are exposed to urbanization, climate change, and environmental risks that can impact perceptions of environmental quality and sustainability. However, the relationship between the perceived environmental risks, the related emotions, and the quality of urban [...] Read more.
Urban environments in Northeastern Italy, both natural and historical, are exposed to urbanization, climate change, and environmental risks that can impact perceptions of environmental quality and sustainability. However, the relationship between the perceived environmental risks, the related emotions, and the quality of urban living and well-being remains underexplored. The present study, therefore, aims to investigate the link between the perceived risk of adverse events and the emotion felt about the possibility of damage to historically and economically valuable sites, as well as the residents’ restorativeness, well-being, residential satisfaction, and sense of community. Participants completed online questionnaires addressing the following variables: perceived risk of environmental events; emotions of possible damage; restorativeness; well-being; residential satisfaction; and sense of community. The results showed negative relationships between perceived risk and residential satisfaction, well-being and restorativeness, but positive relationships between negative emotions of losing places of economic value and residential satisfaction, sense of community, and restorativeness. The findings highlight the role of emotions and restorativeness with well-being and satisfaction in residents of Piazzola sul Brenta (Italy). Full article
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21 pages, 4029 KiB  
Review
A Review of Atmospheric Deterioration and Sustainable Conservation of Calcareous Stone in Historical Buildings and Monuments
by Yu Yan and Yansong Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10751; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310751 - 7 Dec 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1977
Abstract
Calcareous stones, such as marble and limestone, have been widely used in ancient architecture due to their durability, abundance, and ease of extraction and workability. However, their chemical nature renders them vulnerable to atmospheric pollutants. With industrialization and socio-economic growth, air pollution has [...] Read more.
Calcareous stones, such as marble and limestone, have been widely used in ancient architecture due to their durability, abundance, and ease of extraction and workability. However, their chemical nature renders them vulnerable to atmospheric pollutants. With industrialization and socio-economic growth, air pollution has severely impacted built heritage, including numerous historical buildings and monuments, particularly under changing climate and environmental conditions. Various forms of degradation, such as acid corrosion, mineral crystallization, and black crusts, are widespread and typically driven by atmospheric pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), ozone (O3), and particulates (PM), which accelerate the deterioration of stone surfaces. To develop sustainable mitigation strategies, it is essential to gain an in-depth understanding of these deterioration mechanisms and current technological advancements. This paper first reviews the influencing factors and underlying mechanisms of atmospheric deterioration of calcareous stones. Subsequently, it discusses the advantages and limitations of traditional and advanced conservation and restoration techniques at the micro-level, as well as pollution management strategies that can be adopted. Finally, the challenges of research in this field are highlighted, and directions for the sustainable conservation of calcareous stones are proposed. Full article
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