Proportionated Distributions in Spatiotemporal Structure of the World Cultural Heritage Sites: Analysis and Countermeasures

Ya Yao, Xinyuan Wang, Linlin Lu, Chuansheng Liu, Qiang Wu, Hongge Ren, Shu Yang, Ruiqi Sun, Lei Luo and Kai Wu
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Ya Yao: Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
Xinyuan Wang: Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
Linlin Lu: Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
Chuansheng Liu: Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
Qiang Wu: Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
Hongge Ren: Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
Shu Yang: Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
Ruiqi Sun: Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
Lei Luo: Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
Kai Wu: Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-23

Abstract: Asia, Europe, and Africa, connected by the maritime silk road (MSR) and the land silk road (LSR), as the cradle of ancient civilizations, contain rich cultural heritage resources. While aiming to achieve differentiated and targeted application, protection, and development of world cultural heritage (WCHS), it is essential to identify the temporal-spatial distribution features of WCHS on these three continents. For these WCHS elements, based on big earth data, we semi-quantitatively describe the features of spatial-temporal distribution, material types, civilization and religion characters, capital investment capacity, and risks by data cleaning, spatial analysis, and risk assessment. Our findings reveal features in these WCHS elements, including temporal and spatial distribution, the amount of different ancient civilizations and cultural diversity, and the need for preservation and funding capacity. Finally, this study’s results indicate that we should take full advantage of the potential of cultural heritage, digital technologies, and the scientific protection of cultural heritage along with the MSR and LSR. Moreover, declarations of heritage in Africa and Central Asia should be extended to realize the precise “poverty alleviation” of WCHS protection in these regions. For further planning of WCHS sites along the Silk Road, we propose countermeasures to protect the global cultural heritage in the future and also provide theoretical guidance and specific scientific implementation directions to “strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage,” as proposed by the United Nations.

Keywords: world cultural heritage site (WCHS); big earth data; space information technology; spatial-temporal distribution; imbalance; countermeasures (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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