The lack of studies on the impact of urban heat islands on cultural heritage sites

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated research gap and future-work section and stated challenges of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2024 and 2026, spanning 6 journals. Those papers have been cited 8 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Integrating Community Perception, Climate Vulnerability Index, and Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response Approaches for Climate Risk Assessment of the Persepolis World Heritage Site (2026) · Environmental Management · doi

  The paper identifies a research gap in the assessment of climate risk of World Heritage Sites, particularly in the context of community perception and Climate Vulnerability Index. The study highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the climate risk faced by World Heritage Sites and their surrounding communities. The paper notes that prior studies have estimated that human-induced climate change could result in a 3-to 4-fold increase in annual damage to cultural properties by the end of the 21st century.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: paper identifies research gap assessment climate risk world
• Cross-field microclimate variability and coupling across museum, excavation and buried heritage settings (2026) · npj Heritage Science · doi

  Further research is needed to investigate the effects of other environmental stressors on heritage materials. The development of more advanced monitoring systems capable of detecting potentially harmful changes at an early stage is necessary. Studies on the long-term conservation of cultural heritage in different environments are required.

  generalfuture-work section
  Keywords: further research needed investigate effects other environmental stressors
• The Role of Aerial Prospection for Monitoring and Preserving Cultural Heritage in Northeastern Africa (2024) · Heritage · cited 8× · doi

  the rapid disappearance of cultural heritage in regions that remain poorly understood. the effects of environmental processes such as natural erosion or alterations in coastlines accelerated by climate change. the challenges of working with historical sources that do not have a spatial reference system or are not correctly aligned with the project's spatial coordinates.

  generalstated challenges
  Keywords: rapid disappearance cultural heritage regions remain poorly understood
• GEO-TOURISM PERSPECTIVES ON THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN WADI RUM, JORDAN (2026) · Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites · doi

  Climate change poses a significant threat to the area's natural and cultural assets. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns undermine visitor comfort and heighten safety risks. The study highlights the need for adaptation measures to maintain the site's attractiveness and ecological integrity.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: climate change poses significant threat area natural cultural
• Assessing the Threat of Urban Heat Islands to Cultural Heritage: A Remote Sensing Approach in Hue City, Vietnam (2026) · Applied Sciences · doi

  The lack of studies on the impact of urban heat islands on cultural heritage sites. The need for a methodology to monitor and mitigate the UHI effects on cultural heritage sites. The importance of considering the relationship between land cover change and temperature variations over time.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack studies impact urban heat islands cultural heritage
• National-scale hydroclimatic exposure screening of earthen heritage sites in China under changing precipitation regimes (2026) · Scientific Reports · doi

  The insufficient quantification of national-scale hydroclimatic exposure of earthen heritage sites. The lack of a spatial screening framework that integrates site-distribution analysis and historical precipitation trends. The need to evaluate the explanatory power of environmental and anthropogenic factors on site distribution.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: insufficient quantification national-scale hydroclimatic exposure earthen heritage sites
• National-scale hydroclimatic exposure screening of earthen heritage sites in China under changing precipitation regimes (2026) · Scientific Reports · doi

  The susceptibility of earthen heritage sites to rainfall-driven surface erosion and moisture-induced reduction in strength and cohesion. The alteration of precipitation regimes due to climate change, posing challenges to immovable cultural heritage. The need to evaluate the explanatory power of environmental and anthropogenic factors on site distribution.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: susceptibility earthen heritage sites rainfall-driven surface erosion moisture-induced
• GEO-TOURISM PERSPECTIVES ON THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN WADI RUM, JORDAN (2026) · Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites · doi

  Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of adaptation measures in maintaining the site's attractiveness and ecological integrity. Research should focus on developing climate-resilient tourism infrastructure and practices. Studies should explore the impacts of climate change on other fragile desert landscapes and tourism destinations.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 4/5
  Keywords: future studies investigate effectiveness adaptation measures maintaining site

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