What do we visually focus on in a World Heritage Site? A case study in the Historic Centre of Prague

Newly constructed high-rise buildings with large heights and strong contrasting colors pose significant visual threats to the integrity of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Historic Centre of Prague. This study used eye-tracking technology to generate visual heatmaps, revealing that people's attention is primarily drawn to complex artistic elements like facades, domes, mural paintings, and sculptures, while greenery, roofs, and floors attract minimal focus. The research also identified that buffer zones around main attractions help maintain unobstructed views, but pedestrian flow and transportation planning can introduce visual concerns. These findings provide actionable insights for the design, conservation, and management of World Heritage Sites to prevent artificial constructions from endangering their Outstanding Universal Values.

Liu, F., Kang, J., Wu, Y., Yang, D., & Meng, Q. (2022). What do we visually focus on in a World Heritage Site? A case study in the Historic Centre of Prague. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-022-01411-1