scholarly journals Coastal Erosion of Arctic Cultural Heritage in Danger: A Case Study from Svalbard, Norway

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 784
Author(s):  
Ionut Cristi Nicu ◽  
Lena Rubensdotter ◽  
Knut Stalsberg ◽  
Erich Nau

Strong cultural heritage management relies on a thorough evaluation of the threats faced by heritage sites, both in the present and in the future. In this study, we analysed the changes in the position of Hiorthhamn shoreline (Svalbard), which is affecting coastal cultural heritage sites, for a period of 93 years (1927–2020). Shoreline changes were mapped by using maps, ortophotos, drone images, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), and topographic surveys. Also, TLS was used to 3D document the endangered coastal cultural heritage sites. Detailed sedimentological and morphological mapping was made in the field and from the newly acquired drone images in order to understand shoreline-landscape interaction and to depict changes occurring from 2019 to 2020. Short-term (2019–2020) and long-term (1927–2020) shoreline erosion/accretion was made with the help of the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) and prompted a subdivision of three sectors, based on change pattern. Compared to a previous long-term analysis (1927–2019), this year’s average erosion rate analysis (expressed by the EPR parameter) for the 93-year period is −0.14 m/yr. This shift in mean development is due to a newly formed spit-bar in Sector 2. Referring strictly to Sector 1, where the protected cultural heritage objects are located, the erosion rate increased from the previous analysis of –0.76 m/yr to −0.77 m/yr. The shoreline forecast analysis highlights that half of the protected cultural heritage objects will likely disappear over the next decade and almost all the cultural heritage objects analysed in this study will disappear in roughly two decades. This shows the great danger the Arctic’s cultural heritage sites is in if no mitigation measures are undertaken by the local authorities.

Humanities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne Bech Holmgaard ◽  
Alma Elizabeth Thuestad ◽  
Elin Rose Myrvoll ◽  
Stine Barlindhaug

Svalbard’s cultural heritage sites are important remnants of an international history in the High North. Cultural heritage in the Arctic is being impacted by climate and environmental change as well as increased human activity. Tourism is a potential cause of transformation in cultural heritage sites, such as increased wear and tear, creation of paths and traces as people walk through cultural environments. Cultural heritage management is therefore an increasingly challenging endeavor as management authorities must take under consideration multiple impacts and threats to cultural heritage sites in a changing environment. Based on research conducted in Svalbard from 2014 to 2016 on methods for long-term systematic cultural heritage monitoring, this paper will discuss dilemmas for a sustainable use and management of vulnerable cultural heritage sites in the Arctic.


Fire ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Charlotte Fafet ◽  
Erinë Mulolli Zajmi

Fires are among the most frequently recurring hazards affecting museums and cultural heritage sites. The fires of the National Museum of Brazil in 2018 and of Notre Dame de Paris in 2019 showed that the consequences of such events can be heavy and lead to irreversible heritage losses. In Kosovo, few studies were made about the risks that can affect cultural heritage sites. A project led by the NGO Kosovo Foundation for Cultural Heritage without Borders (CHwB Kosova) in 2018 explored the most prevalent risks for the cultural heritage sites of the country and highlighted fire as a predominant risk in Kosovo. In order to better understand it, vulnerability assessments were conducted in several museums in Kosovo. Data were collected through field visits in the different museums, in which interviews with staff members as well as observations were conducted. The aim of this paper is to present the main results of the fire vulnerability assessments conducted in Kosovo’s museums in 2018. An important aspect of this project is the approach to collect information in data-scarce environments. It is believed that the questionnaires used to lead interviews with museums’ staff members could help other practitioners to collect data in such contexts and evaluate more easily the risk of fire for the museums and their collections. In the context of Kosovo, one of the main findings is the identification and prioritisation of measures to ensure better protection of Kosovar museums. Structural mitigation measures such as alarm and fire suppression systems are not the only elements necessary to improve the resilience of Kosovar museums to fire. Indeed, the promotion of risk awareness, the training of staff members and the realisation of crisis simulation exercises are just as important in order to prevent and detect a fire, and above all, to respond quickly and accurately if a fire occurs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 172-176
Author(s):  
Lina Kuklienė ◽  
Dainora Jankauskienė ◽  
Indrius Kuklys

The purpose of the thesis is to analyze the main geodetic databases of Lithuania and to create a geodetic database of cultural heritage objects in Klaipėda using program ArcGIS 9.3. The problem is that the geodetic database storing graphical and attributive information about cultural heritage in Klaipeda city has not been created yet. Thus, in order to incorporate GIS technologies into the management of cultural heritage, starting the creation of such a database seems to be a relevant point. The fully completed and regularly updated geodetic database can be used for cultural heritage management, planning, design, road construction, etc. Therefore, the following objectives have been set: 1) describing geo-data collection and input devices; 2) stimulating the geodetic database that introduces information about buildings, building complexes, cemeteries, locations of archaeological and cultural heritage; 3) giving a detailed description of the database creation process; 4) analyzing the need for establishing a geodetic database of cultural heritage objects in Klaipėda. Santrauka Lietuvoje GIS pagrindu sukurta daug įvairiems tikslams skirtų georeferencinių bei teminių erdvinių duomenų rinkinių. Viena iš šių rinkinių panaudojimo sričių – valstybės registruose esančių duomenų kaupimas. Tokiu principu yra sukurta Kultūros vertybių registro duomenų bazė, kurios pagrindiniai duomenys buvo panaudoti kuriant Klaipėdos miesto kultūros paveldo objektų erdvinių duomenų rinkinį. Siekiant kuo operatyviau įtraukti GIS technologijas į kultūros paveldo objektų tvarkybą, aktualu Klaipėdoje pradėti kurti kultūros paveldo objektų erdvinių duomenų rinkinį. Nuolat atnaujinamas erdvinių duomenų rinkinys palengvins įvairių sričių specialistų atliekamus kultūros paveldo objektų administravimo, teritorijų planavimo, projektavimo, kelių tiesimo ir kitus darbus. Резюме В Литве на основе ГИС для различных целей создано множество гео-ссылок, а также тематических наборов пространственных данных. Область использования одного из множеств – сбор данных, имеющихся в государственном учете. По такому принципу создана регистрационная база культурных ценностей, основные данные которой были использованы при создании набора пространственных данных объектов культурного наследия города Клайпеды. С целью оперативно обеспечить управление объектами культурного наследия технологиями ГИС следует начать создание набора пространственных данных объектов культурного наследия в Клайпеде. Полностью заполненный и постоянно обновляемый набор пространственных данных облегчит работу специалистов в различных областях: администрировании объектов культурного наследия, планировании территорий, проектировании, строительстве дорог и других.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna S Cohen ◽  
Rodrigo Solinis-Casparius

Approximately 90% of Mexican archaeological sites are on communal ejido lands and yet the Mexican Constitution stipulates that all cultural heritage is the property of the federal government. Considering this disconnect between federal and local practices, how can archaeologists work with ejido communities to help preserve cultural patrimony? This article explores the micropolitics associated with archaeological fieldwork on communal ejido lands in Western Mexico. We show how long-standing practices based on local histories, community political theater, and interpersonal relations shape fieldwork and cultural conservation initiatives in important and unintended ways. In our study near the site of Angamuco, Michoacán, we draw upon ethnographic and archival research and outreach projects over five field seasons, and address the tensions that emerge when informal micropolitical and formal top–down sociopolitical practices interface. We show how aspects of a policy science approach are appropriate for long-term community-supported archaeology and cultural heritage management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 127-138
Author(s):  
Paras SJB Rana

   Tansen is renowned for its natural settings, historic buildings and a living cultural heritage that have remained, from medieval period until now. By UNWTO statistics,internationally, cultural tourism comprises 39% of the total tourism arrivals. This reaffirms that offering greater access to the cultural and heritage assets would give Tansen a competitive edge over the other tourist destinations and increase its attractiveness as a top tourist destination in Nepal. This article is related to study of how the heritage sites could be revived to make the cultural heritage tourism sustainable and regain Tansen’s economic vibrancy that has been depleting in the recent times. The purpose of the study is to examine the current state of the cultural heritage management in Tansen, to examine the prospect of revitalizing the cultural heritage assets and; to examine the role of the local communities in these aspects. The methods used in the study were site observations, a key informant interview of experts including the city Mayor, tourism entrepreneurs, site mangers and opinion survey of tourists and the local community resident. The study shows that local population has a positive opinion and initial enthusiasm on the emerging tourist arrivals after the restoration of Rani Mahal, but their role is marginalized in the process. This is the key proposition to start an initiative for the local communities to actively participate in tourism development projects. ‘Revitalizing the Rani Mahal heritage’ launched through the Public Private Partnership with support from UNESCO could build the trust amongst the high end international as well as domestic tourist and attract more investments to conserve, protect and promote the heritage capital stocks for the Tansen tourism development.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ali Mohamed Khalil ◽  
Eman Hanye Mohamed Nasr

PurposeThe study aims to analyze the development of Omani heritage legislation against the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (WHC), 1972 and WHC Operational Guidelines (WHC-OGs) to predict the possible effects of the recent developments on the management of the World Heritage Site in Oman.Design/methodology/approachThis study discusses the development of the heritage protection legislation in Sultanate of Oman since 1970; it analyses the Omani Cultural Heritage Law 35/2019 against the recommendations of the UNESCO WHC as well as the requirements of the World Heritage Operational Guidelines. Moreover, the research investigates the possible effects of the recent heritage legislation developments on the management of Bahla Fort and Oasis in Oman, which is the first Omani World Heritage Site and the only site with special management regulations.FindingsThe paper outlines the effects of both the Omani Cultural Heritage Law 35/2019 and the Special Management Regulations 81/2019 on the implementation of the Bahla Management Plan. Additionally, the research establishes how the customization of heritage legislation as a special heritage management regulation facilitates the implementation of national legislation to solve specific local problems.Originality/valueThe study establishes the significance of developing comprehensive legislation to protect and manage the rich Omani cultural heritage and World Heritage Sites in alignment with the WHC and the WHC-OGs.


Author(s):  
K. Lee ◽  
X.W. Xu

The three main methods of digitization can be broadly defined as contact digitization, image-based digitization (photogrammetry), and geometry-based digitization (laser scanning). With the development of the latter two digitization methods, and advanced rendering technologies, virtual displays and museums can now be used widely. (Hung, 2007) Furthermore, recent developments in interactive 3-D computer graphics technology have seen an increased interest in, and use of, 3-D digitization for cultural heritage objects. (Muller-Wittig, Zhu, & Voss, 2007) Technologies for reconstructing or remodeling physical components in 3- D formats are not new in the engineering field, in particular within manufacturing engineering. However, 3-D digitization used for the preservation and archiving of cultural artifacts is relatively recent.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Jo ◽  
Seonghyuk Hong

Three-dimensional digital technology is important in the maintenance and monitoring of cultural heritage sites. This study focuses on using a combination of terrestrial laser scanning and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry to establish a three-dimensional model and the associated digital documentation of the Magoksa Temple, Republic of Korea. Herein, terrestrial laser scanning and UAV photogrammetry was used to acquire the perpendicular geometry of the buildings and sites, where UAV photogrammetry yielded higher planar data acquisition rate in upper zones, such as the roof of a building, than terrestrial laser scanning. On comparing the two technologies’ accuracy based on their ground control points, laser scanning was observed to provide higher positional accuracy than photogrammetry. The overall discrepancy between the two technologies was found to be sufficient for the generation of convergent data. Thus, the terrestrial laser scanning and UAV photogrammetry data were aligned and merged post conversion into compatible extensions. A three-dimensional (3D) model, with planar and perpendicular geometries, based on the hybrid data-point cloud was developed. This study demonstrates the potential for using the integration of terrestrial laser scanning and UAV photogrammetry in 3D digital documentation and spatial analysis of cultural heritage sites.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Garrote ◽  
Andrés Díez-Herrero ◽  
Cristina Escudero ◽  
Inés García

Floods, at present, may constitute the natural phenomenon with the greatest impact on the deterioration of cultural heritage, which is the reason why the study of flood risk becomes essential in any attempt to manage cultural heritage (archaeological sites, historic buildings, artworks, etc.) This management of cultural heritage is complicated when it is distributed over a wide territory. This is precisely the situation in the region of Castile and León (Spain), in which 2155 cultural heritage elements are registered in the Catalog of Cultural Heritage Sites of Castile and León, and these are distributed along the 94,226 km2 of this region. Given this scenario, the present study proposes a methodological framework of flood risk analysis for these cultural heritage sites and elements. This assessment is based on two main processing tools to be developed in addition: on the one hand, the creation of a GIS database in which to establish the spatial relationship between the cultural heritage elements and the flow-prone areas for different flood return periods and, on the other hand, the creation of a risk matrix in which different variables are regarded as associated both to flood hazard (return period, flow depth, and river flooding typology) and to flood vulnerability (construction typology, and construction structural relationship with the hydraulic environment). The combination of both tools has allowed us to establish each cultural heritage flood risk level, making its categorization of risk possible. Of all the cultural heritage sites considered, 18 of them are categorized under an Extreme flood risk level; and another 24 show a High potential flood risk level. Therefore, these are about 25% to 30% of all cultural heritage sites in Castile and León. This flood risk categorization, with a scientific basis of the cultural heritage sites at risk, makes it possible to define territories of high flood risk clustering; where local scale analyses for mitigation measures against flood risk are necessary.


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