UNESCO
Digitization and updating of UNESCO site boundaries
The project provides technical support to Fondazione LINKS for the nomination of new sites and for updating the perimeters of sites already inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Specifically, we manage the digitization and revision of areas of interest, ensuring that maps and boundaries are accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with international standards. This cartographic data is essential for drafting nomination dossiers and site management plans.
Fondazione LINKS
The project is carried out for Fondazione LINKS, which coordinates Italian nominations for the inscription and management of UNESCO cultural and natural heritage sites.
Enhancement of cultural heritage
The main objective is to promote and protect both tangible cultural heritage (such as monuments, landscapes, and archaeological areas) and intangible heritage (traditions, cultural practices) through updated and reliable cartographic tools, which are essential for effective site management.
New inscriptions and precise updates
The goal is to facilitate the inscription of new properties on the World Heritage List while ensuring that documentation for existing sites remains up-to-date and compliant with UNESCO regulations, thereby supporting the protection and enhancement of these locations.
GIS for modern and detailed maps
One of the innovative aspects of the project is the use of GIS (Geographic Information System) to develop high-quality digital cartographic products. This technology has made it possible to replace maps—often originally hand-drawn and scanned—with precise, updated, and detailed digital versions. The result is a better spatial representation of UNESCO sites, which is fundamental for management, planning, and communication with various stakeholders.
Consolidated experience - More than 25 UNESCO sites to which we have provided cartographic and technical support. These include:
Entry process of the Historic Centre of Odesa on the List of World Heritage in Danger;
New management plan for the UNESCO site "The Trulli of Alberobello";
Nomination of the Porticoes of Bologna;
Update of management plans for UNESCO sites located in the Lombardy Region;
Nomination of the network of Early Medieval Benedictine Settlements to the World Cultural Heritage List;
Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries;
Minor boundary modification for the Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato;
Historic Theatres of the Marche Region;
Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia.
The importance of cartography in heritage protection
Accurate cartography is a strategic tool for the conservation and enhancement of world heritage. It allows for the precise definition of site boundaries, the identification of buffer zones (protection areas), and the planning of sustainable management interventions. Thanks to this work, local authorities and communities can access updated and shared data, which is essential for maintaining and promoting the cultural and environmental value of UNESCO sites over time.