The Hagia Sophia is important in Turkey as a symbol of nation’s changing identity since the Byzantine empire. However, it also holds significance globally as a Unesco site and tourist attraction.
Language policy implementation in education must take greater cognisance of the relationship between education and the economy.
GettyImages
Researchers have been calling for the extension of mother-tongue instruction beyond the current status quo in South African schools, but parents seem to prefer an even earlier transition to English.
It’s people, in addition to architecture or history, that make some meeting places worthy of heritage protection. Social values are now among the listing criteria, but many such places remain at risk.
The destruction of a country’s historical and cultural heritage sites is a distressing byproduct of conflict, but there are now strategies in place to prevent it happening.
New technology means museums can return items to their countries of origin while still representing those cultures in fair, interesting ways.
Public opposition to plans for an Apple store was the trigger for the nomination of Federation Square for heritage listing, but it still had to meet the criteria.
Andi Yu/AAP
A youthful Fed Square satisfied five criteria to be added to the Victorian Heritage Register. The listing protects the square as a public place, but doesn’t prevent its continuing evolution.
The government intends to destroy Djab Wurrung sacred trees and sites to upgrade the Western Highway at the same time as it seeks heritage status for the Eastern Freeway.
Allies Decolonising/gofundme
The Victorian government plans to destroy trees and sites sacred to Djab Warrung people to make way for the Western Highway at the same time as it seeks heritage listing for the Eastern Freeway.
An Islamic State photo purports to show the destruction of a Roman-era temple in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra in 2015.
Islamic State/Handout via Reuters
Lubna Omar, Binghamton University, State University of New York
Armed conflict in Syria has been a disaster for the area’s cultural heritage. A displaced archaeologist describes what’s being lost.
The campaign to protect Ihumaatao for its cultural values shows how such landscapes continue to fall through the cracks of New Zealand’s heritage system.
Qiane Matata-Sipu
Built colonial heritage represents more than 80% of the sites on New Zealand’s national heritage list. This leaves some 700 years of Indigenous settlement significantly under-represented.
The spire collapses while flames are burning the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.
Ian Langsdon/EPA
With modern technology, it is entirely possible for the cathedral to be recreated with near-accuracy to the original. We can do this and keep the original building’s spirit and feeling.
While extreme weather conditions represent a considerable challenge globally, some communities have been living with (and adapting to) similar events for centuries.
A new Parramatta is emerging out of the rubble of history.
Artist's impression of the new North Parramatta development/URBANGROWTH NSW/AAP
Sydney’s Parramatta is developing fast, building over a rich archaeological history. Finding ways to retain it can help visitors and residents feel a sense of physical connection with those who came before.
Tourists take a photo of sunrise at Angkor Wat in 2016.
Shutterstock
Looting of Iraq’s national museum began on April 10, 2003. At least half of the artefacts taken remain missing and disturbingly, the illegal trade in stolen antiquities has grown in the years since.