Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto


Publications

Developing a cultural heritage taxonomy for an Indonesian world heritage site

2025 — Article — WHE458AAB0272

A novel taxonomy, 'Pusako Ombilin,' bridges institutional silos by integrating 445 unique Indonesian terms from diverse sources to unify cultural heritage resources at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (OCMHS). This framework demonstrates that cross-domain resource discovery is achievable through aspectual classification and ontology mapping, offering a standardized system for memory institutions. The study highlights its effectiveness in providing a cohesive overview of heritage materials regardless of origin, addressing gaps in existing knowledge organization systems.

Development of a Cultural Heritage Digital Repository for the Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto

2025 — Article — WHE87FB3E1BD1

Researchers have developed 'Pusako Ombilin,' a digital repository prototype for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (OCMHS). This open-source tool aims to modernize cultural heritage management by integrating data from libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) into an accessible format. The study employed qualitative methods, including observations, interviews, document analysis, and focus groups, to assess the prototype's potential. While promising, significant challenges remain in optimizing data integration and creating standardized guidebooks. The researchers recommend further development of 'Pusako Ombilin' with a clear implementation guideline to enhance its usability and effectiveness.

Pemodelan Luas Genangan Banjir Batang Lunto di Wilayah Kota Sawahlunto

2025 — Article — WHE8ABB12FB52

Flood modeling of the Batang Lunto River, a UNESCO-listed cultural heritage site in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, reveals significant flood risk across 125.70 hectares. Using hydrological and hydrodynamic simulations with HEC-Ras 6.3.1 and ArcGIS 10.3, researchers mapped inundation areas for return periods of 2 to 100 years, showing that flood-prone zones could expand from 14.42% (18.12 Ha) at a 2-year return period to over half the area (50.68%, 63.70 Ha) at a 100-year interval. This study provides critical data for disaster mitigation in a region where flooding threatens heritage assets and geopark tourism destinations, offering actionable insights for urban planning and risk management.

Peran Dinas Kebudayaan Kota Sawahlunto Dalam Pengelolaan Situs Warisan Dunia Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto Untuk Mendukung Pariwisata Berkelanjutan

2025 — Article — WHECD81A97CCA

A qualitative, descriptive study reveals that the Sawahlunto Cultural Affairs Office plays a pivotal role as regulator, dynamisator, and facilitator in managing the UNESCO-listed Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage Site to foster sustainable tourism. The research highlights its efforts in preserving cultural heritage while supporting local economic growth. However, challenges such as the absence of a dedicated management body, budget constraints, limited human resources, and low community ownership persist. The study underscores the critical need for stakeholder collaboration to enhance effective, long-term management, ensuring both cultural preservation and sustainable tourism benefits.

Metadata Interoperability for Cultural Heritage Digital Repositories: A Case Study in Indonesian World Heritage Site Memory Institutions

2024 — Article — WHE23293C537A

A key insight from this study is that metadata interoperability for cultural heritage digital repositories can be effectively achieved through the use of information crosswalks, as demonstrated by the 'Pusako Ombilin' system in Indonesia's UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (OCMHS). The research found that mapping fields to standardized metadata schemas like Dublin Core and employing protocols such as the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) for metadata harvesting significantly enhances interoperability. However, challenges persist due to the lack of open-access policies and adequate human resources in OCMHS memory institutions. The study recommends prioritizing external interoperability with union catalogs and implementing open access rules to improve heritage information accessibility. This research highlights the critical role of information professionals in advancing such digital repositories.

World Heritage Sustainability: Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto

2024 — Article — WHE9B68BC2903

Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (OCMHS) faces persistent challenges to its sustainability despite its recognized universal value. The site's multi-component technology—encompassing mines, mining towns, railways, and ports—demands integrated preservation efforts. A study highlights unresolved issues such as 16 outstanding notes from the World Heritage secretariat, lack of a formal management body, inadequate budgetary support, and unclear governance responsibilities between regional and central authorities. The research employs historical methods—heuristics, source criticism, interpretation, and historiography—to analyze these problems over four years post-heritage designation. The findings underscore the need for collaborative efforts among governments and stakeholders to harmonize management practices and ensure OCMHS's long-term preservation as a globally significant heritage site.

Community enthusiasm in developing Ombilin coal-mining industrial heritage in Sawahlunto, West Sumatera

2023 — Article — WHEC14BE7BA68

Local communities in Sawahlunto, West Sumatera, Indonesia, demonstrate strong enthusiasm for developing Ombilin coal-mining heritage into a sustainable tourism destination. This study reveals that the community actively supports efforts to preserve and revitalize the industrial site, recognizing its potential economic and cultural benefits. Using a mixed-methods approach—combining questionnaires with qualitative data from interviews, observations, and focus group discussions—the research provides insights into community attitudes toward heritage tourism development. The findings underscore the importance of integrating local perspectives in policymaking for sustainable tourism, offering valuable guidance for balancing conservation with economic growth.

Initiating Memory Institutions Convergence Through Digital Convergence in Indonesian World Heritage Sites

2023 — Book chapter — WHEF87D500BD2

Digital convergence can effectively initiate the integration of libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) to enhance cultural heritage information management. A study on the Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (OCMHS), an Indonesian World Heritage Site, demonstrates this through a collaborative project involving Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia, and Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. They developed 'The Sawahlunto Memories,' a digital platform using free open-source software (FOSS) and the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) cascade development, to standardize LAMs in OCMHS. This approach not only improves access to memory institutions but also sets a best practice for preserving cultural heritage through quick digital technology adoption and effective information management.

Quaternary Urban Geology and the Foundation of Heritage Building: Notable Historical Cases in Sawahlunto, Indonesia

2023 — Conference paper — WHE3B6D755F57

Heritage buildings in Sawahlunto, Indonesia, primarily use sedimentary rocks sourced from the Ombilin Basin, reflecting both historical and geological significance. This study reveals that local materials were predominantly used due to their abundance during the Dutch colonial era, contributing to the city's unique urban geological heritage. The research employed mixed methods, including geological mapping and content analysis, to identify rock types, topographic features, and building materials, while also analyzing their distribution and origin. These findings highlight the importance of integrating urban geology into heritage conservation efforts, particularly for UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Sawahlunto.

Changing Stages of System Innovation at The Ombilin’s Coal Mines of Sawahlunto: From Ghost Town To World Heritage

2020 — Article — WHED5B9AC0009

A key insight from this study is that the transformation of Sawahlunto's Ombilin coal mines into a UNESCO World Heritage Site was driven by multi-dimensional system innovation, involving government sector reforms, economic development, and socio-political change. The research identifies two critical success factors: strong leadership and effective integration of heritage assets to balance diverse stakeholder interests. This study enriches the understanding of system innovation through historical reconstruction and offers a novel approach to social history by analyzing the path to World Heritage status. It highlights how leadership played a pivotal role in revitalizing heritage assets, contributing to sustainable tourism development.

Ombilin Coal Mine Site: History and Potential as a Learning Source for the History of the Economy Based on Outdoor Learning

2020 — Article — WHECD337BEA0C

The Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers significant potential as an outdoor learning resource for the history of economic development. The site, shaped by Dutch colonial projects including coal exploitation, railway construction, and port development, retains notable heritage elements such as the Railway Museum, Goedang Ranseum, Mbah Soero Mine Hole, and the Coal Mining Museum. These remnants serve as tangible historical sources that can enrich educational experiences, particularly in outdoor learning contexts. The study employed a qualitative descriptive approach, utilizing interviews, literature, and newspapers to analyze primary and secondary sources. Challenges in leveraging this site for educational purposes were also identified, highlighting the need for strategic preservation and utilization efforts.

Sustainable Conservation of the Coal Mining Town: Ombilin Sawahlunto West Sumatra Indonesia Context

2020 — Conference paper — WHEC3724F9BAB

Sawahlunto, a historic coal-mining town in West Sumatra, Indonesia, stands as a testament to Dutch colonial infrastructure from the late 19th century. Its well-preserved railway, mining structures, and harbor have become pivotal for historical tourism, drawing global attention. A qualitative observational study identifies sustainable conservation strategies to maintain its UNESCO World Heritage potential while integrating it into cultural heritage management frameworks. The research proposes a development plan that balances preservation with new functions as a tourism destination, ensuring long-term sustainability.

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