HIST Attends the 4th Annual NRICH-ICCROM International Conference

On the occasion of hosting the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH) of the Republic of Korea and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) co-hosted the 4th Annual NRICH-ICCROM International Conference in Busan on 13–14 July. At the invitation of ICCROM, Shi Pilong, an associate professor from HIST, participated in the conference by invitation.

Under the theme A Timeless Issue on Heritage, the conference facilitated exchanges centring on two topics: “Cultural Heritage Driving Social Change” and “Investigation and Monitoring of Heritage Using Advanced Technologies”. It brought together heritage experts and scholars from international organizations and universities including UNESCO, ICCROM, the University of Pennsylvania and Durham University, to jointly explore the social value of cultural heritage and technical approaches for heritage conservation.

The conference focused on the application of digital technologies in the investigation, monitoring, management and proactive conservation of cultural heritage and highlighted the current shift in cultural heritage conservation and management models—from remedial restoration to continuous monitoring, risk identification, proactive prevention, which marked a new phase for heritage conservation and sustainable development.

In the presentation titled Application of Space Technologies in the Monitoring and Conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage, Associate Professor Shi Pilong systematically introduced HIST’s technical system supporting UNESCO World Heritage sites via satellite remote sensing, airborne and UAV observation, ground sensors and spatial information platforms. Taking the post-earthquake restoration of Jiuzhaigou World Natural Heritage as an example, he illustrated how multi-source observation supports risk identification, restoration assessment and management decision-making.

Prof. Shi delivers a presentation

The presentation further underscored that HIST will continue delivering training programs for heritage site managers and young heritage professionals. Through international dialogue, joint scientific research, information sharing and data platform development, HIST seeks to reinforce its technical cooperation network and scale up the deployment of digital spatial technologies across heritage conservation and management practices.

This participation enabled HIST to demonstrate the academic achievements and future development of space technologies for cultural heritage conservation and management. It further deepened partnerships with international organizations such as ICCROM, and effectively elevated HIST’s international influence.

Group photo of conference participants