Publications
From Maps to 3D Models: Reconstructing the Urban Landscape of San Cristóbal de La Laguna in the 16th Century
A groundbreaking 3D reconstruction of San Cristóbal de La Laguna reveals the city's 16th-century urban landscape with unprecedented accuracy. Using Leonardo Torriani's 1588 map as the foundation, researchers developed a map-based workflow that integrates historical sources and current data to balance fidelity with modernization. This methodology not only reconstructs one of the first non-fortified Spanish colonial cities but also sets a precedent for applying similar techniques to other European maps from the same era. The findings highlight the potential of 3D visualization technologies in preserving and studying historical urban landscapes that have been lost or altered over time.
Photovoltaic potential of public buildings in a world Heritage city: The case of San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Canary Islands, Spain)
A study on the photovoltaic potential of public buildings in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage city in Tenerife (Canary Islands), reveals significant capacity for solar energy generation. The research analyzed sports centers, educational centers, and civic centers under two scenarios: optimal and maximum production. Findings indicate that the city's buildings could generate up to 8,811 MWh annually under the maximum scenario, with a 771% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional energy sources. In the optimal scenario, 56% of energy would be generated, with 31% consumed on-site and 25% fed into the grid, while CO2 emissions would decrease by 75%. The study highlights the trade-off between economic profitability in optimal systems and environmental benefits in maximum systems, emphasizing the potential for clean energy transition in island-dependent regions.
Ecological transition in a World Heritage City: The case of San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Canary Islands)
A UNESCO World Heritage City, San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Canary Islands), has achieved a 4% to 48% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions between 2009 and 2019 through targeted interventions. This progress, driven by the city's commitment to the EU's Climate and Energy Pact, highlights effective strategies for urban sustainability in fossil fuel-dependent regions. The study analyzed emissions across four sectors—buildings, public lighting, transportation, and agriculture, forestry, and fishing—and demonstrated that a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) could further reduce emissions by 64% by 2030 if fully implemented. This case offers valuable insights for other oceanic islands aiming to meet ambitious climate targets.
Analysis of digital images with DStretch as a support for the virtual restoration of an historical mural painting in San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Virtual restoration of lost 18th-century mural paintings in San Agustín Church, part of the UNESCO World Heritage city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain, has been achieved using DStretch image analysis. This free software, typically used for rock art research, employs decorrelation processes to enhance image readability and support objective virtual reintegration. The study demonstrates that digital documentation and advanced image processing can effectively recover historical artwork damaged by a 1964 fire, offering a rigorous methodology for preserving cultural heritage.
Briófitos epífitos en San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Researchers identified 17 species of epiphytic bryophytes (3 liverworts and 14 mosses) on 28% of trees surveyed across urban areas in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, including plazas and parks. This study highlights the diversity and distribution of bryophytes in urban environments, providing insights into their ecological adaptations and the host plants that support them. The findings contribute to understanding bryophyte biodiversity in urban settings, which is crucial for conservation efforts in World Heritage Sites like San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
El turismo cultural en una Ciudad Patrimonio de la Humanidad: El caso de la ciudad de San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Tenerife, España)
A significant portion of tourists visiting San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tenerife, are drawn to its cultural attractions despite the island's reputation for mass tourism centered on sun and beach. This study reveals that cultural tourism plays a pivotal role in diversifying the region's offerings, with tourists exhibiting distinct sociodemographic profiles, behaviors, and motivations during their visits. Conducted by the University of La Laguna, the research analyzed survey data collected from tourists at the end of their stay to assess key factors influencing their experience. The findings underscore the potential for cultural tourism to enhance the economic and cultural value of heritage sites in high-traffic tourist destinations.
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