Showing papers on "Cultural heritage published in 2020"

Circular economy strategies for adaptive reuse of cultural heritage buildings to reduce environmental impacts

Abstract: Circular economy strategies seek to reduce the total resources extracted from the environment and reduce the wastes that human activities generate in pursuit of human wellbeing. Circular Economy concepts are well suited to the building and construction sector in cities. For example, refurbishing and adaptively reusing underutilized or abandoned buildings can revitalize neighborhoods whilst achieving environmental benefits. Cultural heritage buildings hold a unique niche in the urban landscape. In addition to shelter, they embody the local cultural and historic characteristics that define communities. Therefore, extending their useful lifespan has multiple benefits that extend beyond the project itself to the surrounding area, contributing to economic and social development. To explore this complex issue, the research applies systematic literature review and synthesis methods. Decision makers lack knowledge of the environmental benefits of adaptive reuse of cultural heritage buildings and lack tools to implement these projects. A new comprehensive circular economy framework for the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage buildings to reduce environmental impacts intends to meet these needs. The framework integrates methods and techniques from the building and construction literature that aim to reduce lifecycle environmental impact of buildings with a circular product supply chain approach.

Microbial deterioration and sustainable conservation of stone monuments and buildings

Abstract: Geomicrobially induced deterioration of stone monuments and buildings contributes to a considerable loss of world cultural heritage, especially when exposed to a changing climate or environment. The active biodeterioration processes typically involve biochemical activities and cooperation among functional microorganisms in epilithic biofilms, which assimilate mineral nutrients and metabolize anthropogenic pollutants through biogeochemical cycles. Development of any effective mitigation strategies requires the comprehensive understanding of such processes. We focus on how microbes contribute to the biodeterioration processes through their activities and biogeochemical cycles of elements, discuss biochemical mechanisms involved and provide innovative strategies for sustainable conservation of stone monuments and buildings. Biodeterioration of stone monuments and buildings can lead to a loss of world cultural heritage. This Review discusses the role of microbes in the deterioration processes, the biochemical mechanisms involved and possible strategies for sustainable conservation of stone monuments and buildings.

Point Cloud Semantic Segmentation Using a Deep Learning Framework for Cultural Heritage

Abstract: In the Digital Cultural Heritage (DCH) domain, the semantic segmentation of 3D Point Clouds with Deep Learning (DL) techniques can help to recognize historical architectural elements, at an adequate level of detail, and thus speed up the process of modeling of historical buildings for developing BIM models from survey data, referred to as HBIM (Historical Building Information Modeling). In this paper, we propose a DL framework for Point Cloud segmentation, which employs an improved DGCNN (Dynamic Graph Convolutional Neural Network) by adding meaningful features such as normal and colour. The approach has been applied to a newly collected DCH Dataset which is publicy available: ArCH (Architectural Cultural Heritage) Dataset. This dataset comprises 11 labeled points clouds, derived from the union of several single scans or from the integration of the latter with photogrammetric surveys. The involved scenes are both indoor and outdoor, with churches, chapels, cloisters, porticoes and loggias covered by a variety of vaults and beared by many different types of columns. They belong to different historical periods and different styles, in order to make the dataset the least possible uniform and homogeneous (in the repetition of the architectural elements) and the results as general as possible. The experiments yield high accuracy, demonstrating the effectiveness and suitability of the proposed approach.

The mediating role of experience quality on authenticity and satisfaction in the context of cultural-heritage tourism

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating role of experience quality between the dimensions of authenticity and satisfaction in the context of cultural-heritage tourism This paper

Heritage Futures: Comparative Approaches to Natural and Cultural Heritage Practices

Abstract: Book synopsis: Preservation of natural and cultural heritage is often said to be something that is done for the future, or on behalf of future generations, but the precise relationship of such practices to the future is rarely reflected upon. Heritage Futures draws on research undertaken over four years by an interdisciplinary, international team of 16 researchers and more than 25 partner organisations to explore the role of heritage and heritage-like practices in building future worlds. Engaging broad themes such as diversity, transformation, profusion and uncertainty, Heritage Futures aims to understand how a range of conservation and preservation practices across a number of countries assemble and resource different kinds of futures, and the possibilities that emerge from such collaborative research for alternative approaches to heritage in the Anthropocene. Case studies include the cryopreservation of endangered DNA in frozen zoos, nuclear waste management, seed biobanking, landscape rewilding, social history collecting, space messaging, endangered language documentation, built and natural heritage management, household keeping and discarding practices, and world heritage site management.

Employing a value-belief-norm framework to gauge Carthage residents’ intentions to support sustainable cultural heritage tourism

Abstract: In light of the recent conflicts in Carthage over land use, culturalheritage preservation, and sustainable tourism, this work utilized avalue-belief-norm (VBN) theoretical framework to consider psychologicalantecedents of residents’behavioral intentions to support cultural heri-tage tourism. As such, personal values, cultural worldview, awareness ofconsequences, ascription of responsibility, and subjective norms wereconsidered antecedents of intentions to support cultural heritagetourism. Data were collected from 475 Carthage residents in nine neigh-borhoods adjacent to UNESCO World Heritage Sites using an on-siteself-administered questionnaire. The proposed model was assessedthrough confirmatory factor analysis (to demonstrate sound psychomet-ric properties across all 11 factors within the model), followed by struc-tural equation modelling. Overall, 15 of the 19 proposed hypotheseswere supported, ultimately contributing to 28% of the varianceexplained in residents’behavioral intentions to support cultural heritagetourism. This work not only provides support for the utilization of theVBN model within the context of cultural heritage tourism, it also deep-ens our understanding of the theoretical framework through the inclu-sion of the multi-dimensional construct cultural worldview

Overtourism as a perceived threat to cultural heritage in Europe

Abstract: According to a 2017 survey, approximately two in five European residents believe that the number of tourists poses a threat to the continent’s cultural heritage. In order to investigate the determi...

From point cloud data to building information modelling: an automatic parametric workflow for heritage

Abstract: Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a globally adapted methodology by government organisations and builders who conceive the integration of the organisation, planning, development and the digital construction model into a single project. In the case of a heritage building, the Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) approach is able to cover the comprehensive restoration of the building. In contrast to BIM applied to new buildings, HBIM can address different models which represent either periods of historical interpretation, restoration phases or records of heritage assets over time. Great efforts are currently being made to automatically reconstitute the geometry of cultural heritage elements from data acquisition techniques such as Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) or Structure From Motion (SfM) into BIM (Scan-to-BIM). Hence, this work advances on the parametric modelling from remote sensing point cloud data, which is carried out under the Rhino+Grasshopper-ArchiCAD combination. This workflow enables the automatic conversion of TLS and SFM point cloud data into textured 3D meshes and thus BIM objects to be included in the HBIM project. The accuracy assessment of this workflow yields a standard deviation value of 68.28 pixels, which is lower than other author’s precision but suffices for the automatic HBIM of the case study in this research.

Improving Accessibility to Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation Using Virtual Reality

Abstract: Presentations of virtual cultural heritage artifacts are often communicated via the medium of interactive digital storytelling. The synergy of a storied narrative embedded within a 3D virtual reconstruction context has high consumer appeal and edutainment value. We investigate if 360° videos presented through virtual reality further contribute to user immersion for the application of preserving intangible cultural heritage. A case study then analyzes whether conventional desktop media is significantly different from virtual reality as a medium for immersion in intangible heritage contexts. The case study describes bridge diving at Stari Most, the old bridge in Mostar Bosnia. This application aims to present and preserve the bridge diving tradition at this site. The project describes the site and history along with cultural connections, and a series of quiz questions are presented after viewing all of the materials. Successful completion of the quiz allows a user to participate in a virtual bridge dive. The subjective evaluation provided evidence to suggest that our method is successful in preserving intangible heritage and communicating ideas in key areas of concern for this heritage that can be used to develop a preservation framework in the future. It was also possible to conclude that experience within the virtual reality framework did not affect effort expectancy for the web application, but the same experience significantly influenced the performance expectancy construct.

The Control of Cultural Heritage Microbial Deterioration.

Abstract: The microbial deterioration of cultural heritage includes physical and chemical damage as well as aesthetic alteration. With the technological advancement, a plethora of techniques for removing unwanted microorganisms have opened up new opportunities for microbiologists and conservators. This article reviews the most applied, up-to-date, and sustainable techniques developed for the control of cultural heritage microbial deterioration presenting noteworthy case studies. These techniques include chemical methods, i.e., traditional biocides and nanoparticles; physical methods, such as mechanical removal, UV irradiation, gamma radiation, laser cleaning, heat shocking, microwaves, and dry ice treatment; and biological methods, such as natural molecules with biocidal activity, enzymes, and microorganisms. The application of control systems requires the comprehension of their behavior toward the unwanted microorganisms and possible interactions with the heritage materials. This overview shows also the control methods drawbacks for the purpose of creating awareness in selecting the most suitable technique or combination of techniques.

Recent Advances in Protective Coatings for Cultural Heritage–An Overview

Abstract: In the last decades, the interest in the development of protective coatings for movable and immovable Cultural Heritage (CH) assets has decidedly increased. This has been mainly prompted by the raising consciousness on preservation requirements for cultural artefacts and monuments, which has consequently determined the development of new protective products. From acrylic resins used at the end of the last century to the up-to-date biomaterials and nanoparticles employed nowadays, the research has made a giant step forward. This article reviews the progresses, the technical challenges, and the most recent advances in protective coatings for archaeological metal, glass, and stone artefacts. It aims at offering a comprehensive and critical overview of the progressions in conservation science and displaying how research has optimized polymers in order to solve deterioration problems. Attention is given to recently developed materials, hybrid coatings, and corrosion inhibitors. This work seeks to provide a reference point for future research and to offer a wide-ranging introduction on the newly available material technologies to restorers and conservators.

Combination of nadiral and oblique UAV photogrammetry and HBIM for the virtual reconstruction of cultural heritage. Case study of Cortijo del Fraile in Níjar, Almería (Spain)

Abstract: Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) is the most effective method of rebuilding virtual 3D models of heritage buildings, and constitutes a new information management system in the field o...

A visitors’ experience model for mixed reality in the museum

Abstract: Although virtual and augmented reality are receiving increasing attention in tourism and cultural heritage, the effect of mixed reality on museum visitors’ experience has still not been fully answe...

Cultural heritage in the realm of the commons: Conversations on the Case of Greece

Abstract: Cultural heritage was invented in the realm of nation-states, and from an early point it was considered a public asset, stewarded to narrate the historic deeds of the ancestors, on behalf of their descendants. Nowadays, as the neoliberal narrative would have it, it is for the benefit of these tax-paying citizens that privatisation logic on heritage sector have been increasing over recent decades, to cover their needs in the name of social responsibility and other truncated views of the welfare state. This volume examines whether we can place cultural heritage at the other end of the spectrum, as a common good and potentially as a commons. It does so by looking at Greece as a case study, lately a battlefield of harsh and experimental austerity measures but also of inspiring grass-roots mobilisation and scholarship, currently blossoming to defend the right of communities to enjoy, collaboratively manage and co-create goods by the people, for the people. Since cultural heritage -and culture in general- is hastily bundled up with other goods and services in various arguments for and against their public character, this volume invites several experts to discuss their views on their field of expertise and reflect on the overarching theme: Can cultural heritage be considered a commons? If so, what are the advantages and pitfalls concerning theory, practice and management of heritage? What can we learn from other public resources with a longer history in commons-based or market-oriented interpretation and governance? Can a commons approach allow us to imagine and start working towards a better, more inclusive and meaningful future for heritage?

Does designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site influence tourist evaluation of a local destination

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore whether the UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) designation affects tourists’ evaluation of the local destination hosting the site, building on a large sample of about 0.8 million tourists who visited Italy over the period 1997-2015. We find that the inscription onto the UNESCO World Heritage List exerts surprisingly a negative effect on the overall evaluation of the destination and also on the evaluation of its artistic assets though the magnitude of the latter is lower. The effect is heterogeneous across visitors, depending on evaluation levels, as well as origin/destinations and demographics. Nonetheless, the presence of multiple WHSs in the same destination tends to increase evaluation suggesting that destination stakeholders with previous experience in dealing with WHS designations are better equipped to manage the complicated relationship between tourism and preservation. Managerial and policy-making implications are discussed.

Initial User-Centered Design of a Virtual Reality Heritage System: Applications for Digital Tourism

Abstract: Reality capture allows for the reconstruction, with a high accuracy, of the physical reality of cultural heritage sites. Obtained 3D models are often used for various applications such as promotional content creation, virtual tours, and immersive experiences. In this paper, we study new ways to interact with these high-quality 3D reconstructions in a real-world scenario. We propose a user-centric product design to create a virtual reality (VR) application specifically intended for multi-modal purposes. It is applied to the castle of Jehay (Belgium), which is under renovation, to permit multi-user digital immersive experiences. The article proposes a high-level view of multi-disciplinary processes, from a needs analysis to the 3D reality capture workflow and the creation of a VR environment incorporated into an immersive application. We provide several relevant VR parameters for the scene optimization, the locomotion system, and the multi-user environment definition that were tested in a heritage tourism context.

Comparing Machine and Deep Learning Methods for Large 3D Heritage Semantic Segmentation

Abstract: In recent years semantic segmentation of 3D point clouds has been an argument that involves different fields of application. Cultural heritage scenarios have become the subject of this study mainly thanks to the development of photogrammetry and laser scanning techniques. Classification algorithms based on machine and deep learning methods allow to process huge amounts of data as 3D point clouds. In this context, the aim of this paper is to make a comparison between machine and deep learning methods for large 3D cultural heritage classification. Then, considering the best performances of both techniques, it proposes an architecture named DGCNN-Mod+3Dfeat that combines the positive aspects and advantages of these two methodologies for semantic segmentation of cultural heritage point clouds. To demonstrate the validity of our idea, several experiments from the ArCH benchmark are reported and commented.

The Cultural Origin of CEOs’ Attitudes toward Uncertainty: Evidence from Corporate Acquisitions

Abstract: We examine the role of cultural heritage in shaping US CEOs’ attitudes toward uncertainty, in the context of their corporate acquisition decisions We find that CEOs with a more uncertainty-avoiding cultural heritage are less likely to engage in acquisitions Conditional on making an acquisition, uncertainty-averse CEOs prefer targets in familiar industries and targets that can be more easily integrated The emphasis on cultural identity by CEOs’ parents and the ethnic composition of CEOs’ early life environment significantly influence the cultural transmission process Cultural differences about uncertainty attitudes persist over multiple generations, but become less pronounced over time (JEL G34, G4, G40, G41)

A multi-hazard risk prioritisation framework for cultural heritage assets

Abstract: . Multi-hazard risk assessment of building portfolios is of primary importance in natural-hazard-prone regions, particularly for the prioritisation of disaster risk reduction and resilience-enhancing strategies. In this context, cultural heritage assets require special consideration because of their high vulnerability to natural hazards – due to ageing and types of construction – and their strong links with communities from both an economic and a historical–sociocultural perspective. This paper introduces a multi-hazard risk prioritisation framework specifically developed for cultural heritage assets. The proposed framework relies on a multilevel rapid-visual-survey (RVS) form for the multi-hazard exposure data collection and risk prioritisation of case-study assets. Because of the multilevel architecture of the proposed RVS form, based on three levels of refinement and information, an increasing degree of accuracy can be achieved in the estimation of structural vulnerability and, ultimately, structural risk of the considered assets. At the lowest level of refinement, the collected data are used for the computation of seismic-risk and wind-risk prioritisation indices, specifically calibrated in this study for cultural heritage assets with various structural and non-structural features. The resulting indices are then combined into a unique multi-hazard risk prioritisation index in which the intangible value of cultural heritage assets is also considered. This is achieved by defining a score expressing the cultural significance of the asset. The analytic hierarchy process is extensively used throughout the study to reduce the subjectivity involved in the framework, thus obtaining a simplified yet robust approach which can be adapted to different building typologies. The proposed framework is applied to 25 heritage buildings in Iloilo City, Philippines, for which innovative, non-invasive techniques and tools for improved surveying have also been tested. Thermal and omnidirectional cameras have helped in the collection of structural data, together with drones for the inspection of roofs. Results of the study are presented and critically discussed, highlighting advantages and drawbacks of the use of new technologies in this field.

Innovative methods for heritage tourism experiences: creating windows into the past

Abstract: Heritage tourism products and experiences can generate substantial economic and social contribution to local communities. Yet, significant challenges face heritage tourism destinations, including h...