Research
Research
Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape
The framework for the research and teaching of the UNESCO Chair on Historic Urban Landscapes and Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment is provided by the Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscape adopted by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2011. This statement (36 C / Resolution 41, 2011) is based on the recognition of the multi-layered structure of urban World Heritage sites and includes both tangible and intangible values.
It states:
"The historic urban landscape is the urban area defined as the result of a historic layering of cultural and natural values and attributes, extending beyond the notion of 'historic center' or 'ensemble', to include the broader urban context or geographical setting. This wider context includes notably the site's topography, geomorphology, hydrology and natural features, its built environment, both historic and contemporary, its infrastructures above and below ground, its open spaces and gardens, its land use patterns and spatial organization, perceptions and visual relationships, as well as all other elements of the urban structure. It also includes social and cultural practices and values, economic processes and the intangible dimensions of heritage as related to diversity and identity." (UNESCO, 2011)
Sino-German Symposium
Systematic Management of UNESCO World Heritage Cultural and Urban Landscapes: Applying Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) in the Contexts of German and Chinese Case Studies
The UNESCO Chair on Historic Urban Landscapes and Heritage Impact Assessments in RheinMain University of Applied Science and Tongji University’s College of Architecture and Urban Planning organized in March 2025 the Sino-German Symposium, funded by the Sino-German Centre for Research Promotion (a joint institution, established by the German Research Foundation, (DFG), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). The scientific coordinators of the symposium were Prof. Kou Huaiyun, from Tongji University and Prof. Michael Kloos, from Rhein Main University of Applied Sciences, numerous scientists from both universities and other institutions were involved.
The primary objective of the symposium was to examine the systematic management of cultural landscapes, with a specific focus on Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA). This exploration was grounded on case studies in the context of German and Chinese cultural landscapes: The UNESCO World Heritage properties West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou and the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The symposion encompassed three primary components: fieldwork, thematic lectures, and a roundtable discussion.
It is planned to publish the results of the Sino-German Symposion soon.
- 2024: Bantelmann-Betz, Anne and Kloos, Michael: A Critical Reflection of the Influences of Venice Charter and the Nara Document on Authenticity on the Preservation of Monuments in Germany; in: Wu Meiping, Tianjin University, (ed.)《威尼斯宪章》60 周年和《奈良真实性文 件》30 周年纪念专刊 Special Issue Commemorating the 60 th Anniversary of the Venice Charter and the 30 th Anniversary of the Nara Document, Tianjin University, 2024, pp. 85-116. Available at:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388860554
- 2024: Ashrafi, Baharak, Kloos, Michael, Reicher, Christa: Heritage Impact Assessment Index Within Urban Development Context: The Case of Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan in Iran. Available at:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/1/3/pdf
- 2022: Kloos, Michael. Cultural Landscape Compatibility Study Upper Middle Rhine Valley - A Proactive Tool for Preventive Monitoring of Complex World Heritage Landscapes, in: Albert, Marie-Theres et al. (Eds.): 50 Years World Heritage Convention: Shared Responsibility - Conflict & Reconciliation, Springer, Cham, Switzerland 2022
- 2021: Ashrafi, Baharak, Neugebauer, C., Kloos, M. "A Conceptual Framework for Heritage Impact Assessment: A Review and Perspective" Sustainability 2022, 14, 27. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010027
- 2021: Ashrafi, B. Kloos, M. Neugebauer, C. (2020). "Heritage Impact Assessment, beyond an Assessment Tool: A comparative analysis of urban development impact on visual integrity in four UNESCO World Heritage Properties". Elsevier Ltd, Journal of Cultural Heritage. Volume 47, Pages 199-207, ISSN 1296-2074. available at:[https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2020.08.002]
- 2020: Mohsehni, Farnaz, Kloos, Michael and Weidner, Silke: A Historical Analysis and the Identification of Driving Forces behind the Evolution of the Urban Macro Skyline of Shiraz in Iran. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
- 2020: Kloos, Michael and Abrihan, Cristian: Model for Construction in the Wachau World Heritage Site. Published in: Mitteilungen aus Niederösterreich No. 6/2020: The Wachau. 20 years UNESCO World Heritage Site, St. Pölten2020
- 2020: Kloos, Michael: Historic Urban Landscapes and Heritage Impact Assessments. Contribution KNUCH International Conference South Korea - Sustainable Conservation of Cultural Heritage, 2020 Korean National University for Cultural Heritage (KNUCH)
- 2020: Kloos, Michael: Managing cultural regions using the example of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site, in: Mitteilungen des Rheinischen Vereins für Denkmalpflege, 2020
- Ashrafi, B. Towards an Integrated Heritage Impact Assessment in the Context of Sustainable Urban Development
- Al-Absi, Muhammad Fathi Hasan. Developing a framework for sustainable and resilient land-use development in world heritage properties' buffer zones
- Mohseni, F. Safeguarding Visual Aspects of Historic Urban Landscape through integrating Heritage Management with Urban Planning. The case of Shiraz / Iran