The Silk Roads Cultural Heritage Resource Information System: For World Heritage Monitoring and Preservation

Abstract

Serial transnational World Heritage nominations are challenging the way cultural heritage has been managed and evaluated in the past. This type of nomination requires different methodologies and tools to improve the monitoring cycle from the beginning of the nomination towards the periodic reporting. The case study of the Silk Roads Cultural Heritage Resource Information System (CHRIS) illustrates the use of a Geospatial Content Management System (Geo-CMS) supporting the serial transnational World Heritage nominations and the future monitoring of the Silk Roads in Central Asia. The Silk Roads CHRIS is an initiative supported by UNESCO WHC and the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO), and developed by a consortium headed by the Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation, KULeuven. The Silk Roads CHRIS has been successfully assisting in the preparation of the nomination dossiers of the Republics of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and will be used as a monitoring tool in the Central Asian countries. This paper discusses the use of the system in serial transnational nomination, and describes the architecture of the system, its main features, its effectiveness in the preparation of the nomination dossier and its use during monitoring and reporting.

The Belt and Road Initiative’s impact on tourism and heritage along the Silk Roads: A systematic literature review and future research agenda

“…In contrast, others believe cultural revival and heritage conservation will naturally arise from strengthening regional connections and economic progress [ 34 ]. Research on natural and cultural heritage conservation is ongoing, including efforts to preserve the Silk Road as a World Heritage Site and integrate it into tourism [ 35 – 37 ].…”