The Roman Empire left behind incredible architectural and cultural legacies, but much of Roman daily life has been lost to time. This project aims to reconstruct an ancient Roman square using immersive 3D environments and AI-powered characters — allowing users to “walk through history” and experience a day in the life of a Roman citizen. From conversing with a merchant to observing a blacksmith or attending a public forum, this idea brings archaeology to life in a way that is interactive, educational, and deeply human. This kind of virtual preservation supports SDG 11.4 by promoting cultural awareness and digital access to heritage, especially for those unable to travel to physical sites. It would also open new ways to teach history through experience, not just textbooks.
The Wai Kru a traditional Thai ritual deeply embedded in the practice of Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand. The term “Wai Kru” translates directly to “paying respect to the teacher,” and the ritual takes the form of a carefully choreographed sequence of movements performed by fighters prior to their bouts. These movements are symbolic expressions of respect, gratitude, discipline, and spiritual protection. Accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of the Sarama — a traditional ensemble featuring Thai drums, cymbals, and the Pi Java (a distinctive woodwind instrument) — the Wai Kru is both a cultural performance and a spiritual act. Whilst its original and traditional meaning is to honour one’s Muay Thai trainer, the ritual is additionally performed outside of this context, such as in schools, where students annually pay respect to their teachers in the “Wai Kru” festival (Chai Lai Orchid, n.d.). In this way, whilst Muay Thai itself is of unmatched significance as an activity in Thai culture, its Wai Kru is additionally important itself - symbolising the country’s national emphasis on “Kreng Jai” (meaning respect), accompanied by deeply engrained hierarchy of respect
St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks in London, England. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1710 after the Great Fire of London, it is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture. Its massive dome—one of the largest in the world—dominates the city skyline and serves as a symbol of resilience, spiritual devotion, and national identity. The cathedral has hosted numerous historic events, including the funerals of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Beyond its religious significance, the cathedral embodies exceptional craftsmanship, including intricate stone carvings, mosaics, and a grand organ. Digital heritage technologies such as 3D photogrammetry, immersive virtual tours, and AR overlays can offer global audiences access to its interior and history while preserving the physical structure from overexposure. This project contributes to SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting the preservation of historical architecture and public access through responsible cultural tourism.
The Gayer-Anderson Cat is one of the most iconic examples of ancient Egyptian bronze sculpture, dating back to the Late Period (circa 600 BCE). This life-sized cat statue, housed in the British Museum, was dedicated to the goddess Bastet—protector of women, fertility, and home. The statue is richly adorned, featuring golden nose rings, earrings, and a scarab necklace, reflecting both the sacred symbolism and the aesthetic refinement of the time. Named after Major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson, who donated the statue in 1939, it stands today as a symbol of ancient Egyptian religion and artistic craftsmanship. Digital technologies such as 3D scanning, virtual exhibition, and AR exploration allow audiences worldwide to appreciate its intricate details and historical context without risking damage to the original. This project supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing cultural understanding, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by promoting dialogue on ethical collection and museum transparency.
Gulangyu Island, located in the southwest of Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, is an island with an area of less than 2 square kilometers. At the end of the 19th century, Gulangyu became an important window for trade between China and foreign countries, gathering consulates, churches, hospitals, schools and other buildings from more than 20 countries, forming a unique urban style combining Chinese and Western aspects. There are more than 1,000 historical buildings preserved on the island, which is a witness of cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. Gulangyu Island is also known as the "piano Island" and has a deep musical tradition. It was added to the World Cultural Heritage List in 2017. The digital preservation and display of Gulangyu helps mitigate the impact of overtourism on the historic district and raise public awareness of cultural heritage protection. Virtual Tours, 3D modeling and online exhibits provide sustainable, low-impact access for visitors, researchers and students, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Cities and Communities Goal (SDG 11).
The ancient streets of Yixian County, located in Anhui Province, China, come alive every year with a vibrant Lantern Festival that illuminates the historic Huizhou-style buildings. During the festival, hundreds of handmade lanterns—crafted in traditional forms and materials—are displayed along narrow stone-paved streets, transforming the town into a glowing corridor of cultural expression. These lanterns carry deep symbolic meaning, representing prosperity, reunion, and ancestral respect, while embodying the artistic craftsmanship passed down through generations. The festival fuses tangible and intangible heritage: the fixed architectural setting of Yixian’s grey-walled, tile-roofed buildings and the living cultural practice of lantern-making, storytelling, and communal celebration. Digital heritage tools—such as nighttime 360° mapping, oral history recordings, and augmented reality projections—can capture the multi-sensory experience of this event and ensure its transmission to younger audiences. This project supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, as it promotes local identity, heritage-based tourism, and the preservation of community traditions.
The ancient streets of Yixian County, located in Anhui Province, China.
Westminster Abbey, located in the center of London, England, is a Gothic religious building with far-reaching historical significance. The church was first built in the 10th century, and the existing building was built in 1245, which has a history of more than 700 years. It has been the site of the coronation of British monarchs since 1066, and is the final resting place of more than 3,000 important British figures, including poets, scientists, and politicians. As a working church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Westminster Abbey is of great cultural, architectural and religious value. The digital display of Westminster Abbey helps to reduce the direct impact of visitors on the building itself, protect heritage safety and increase public engagement. At the same time, open access to online resources also supports community cultural heritage and urban heritage preservation, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Cities and Communities goal (SDG 11).
Yixian Lantern Festival Cultural Landscape
The Palace Museum is located in the center of Beijing, China. It was built in 1420. It is the royal palace of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties and is also the largest and best-preserved wooden palace complex in the world. The Palace Museum not only has a spectacular royal building complex, but also has more than 1.8 million precious collections, which contain rich historical and cultural connotations and craftsmanship wisdom. Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 11: Build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements Goal 4: Quality education
Located in the center of Beijing, China, the Palace Museum was built in 1420. It was the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties and is also the largest and best-preserved wooden palace complex in the world. The Palace Museum not only has a spectacular royal building complex, but also has more than 1.8 million precious collections, which contain rich historical and cultural connotations and craftsmanship wisdom.
The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary is located in Sichuan Province, China, including Wolong, Siguniang Mountain and Jiajin Mountain. This area has a diverse ecosystem and has the largest population of giant pandas in the world and many rare animal and plant species. Protecting giant pandas and their habitats is essential for global biodiversity conservation and environmental balance. Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests, combat desertification, curb land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Goal 13: Address climate change and its impacts
The Palace Museum, located in the center of Beijing, China, is the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. It is now the largest and best preserved ancient wooden structure complex in the world. Built in 1406, it has more than 9,000 palaces and is the pinnacle of traditional Chinese architecture. Today, it is open to the public as a museum with a collection of more than 1.8 million artifacts and is a gathering place of world-class cultural heritage and artistic treasures. Digital displays and virtual Tours allow a global audience to learn about its profound historical and cultural values. SDG 4: Quality education Enhance public literacy and history education through digital displays and global online access.
The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary is located in Sichuan Province, China, including the Wolong, Siguniang Mountain and Jiajin Mountain areas. This area has a diverse ecosystem and is home to the world's largest population of giant pandas and many rare plant and animal species. Protecting giant pandas and their habitats is crucial to global biodiversity conservation and environmental balance.
The Palace Museum is located in the center of Beijing, China. It was built in 1420. It is the royal palace of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties and is also the largest and best-preserved wooden palace complex in the world. The Palace Museum not only has a spectacular royal building complex, but also has more than 1.8 million precious collections, which contain rich historical and cultural connotations and craftsmanship wisdom.
Cantonese opera is a traditional opera widely popular in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao and other regions of China. It is famous for its graceful singing, gorgeous costumes and exquisite performance art. It has been listed as a masterpiece of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Located in the heart of Yixian County in Anhui Province, the historic ancient street is a living embodiment of traditional Huizhou culture. Especially captivating at night, the street transforms into a glowing corridor of lanterns—delicate, pink-hued lights that hang rhythmically from traditional Anhui-style grey-tiled buildings. These lanterns are more than decorative; they symbolize peace, reunion, and the continuity of local traditions. The street layout, architectural style, and community life remain largely preserved, reflecting centuries of Hui merchant culture and Confucian values. Digital documentation through photography, virtual night tours, and 3D mapping can preserve the night-time ambiance of this street for future generations. The project contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting cultural identity, safeguarding living heritage, and encouraging responsible tourism.
A 2007 street view of Hong Kong at night along Portland street shows a plethora of signs: some LED, some neon. Neon signs enjoyed its heyday in Hong Kong during the later part of the 20th century, with most businesses using as a form of identity and advertisement. Estimates put an average of 120,000 signs at the end of 2010. After 2010, due to tightening government regulations ordering removal of signs that did not "meet government regulations", their numbers have plummeted to less than 400.
This image depicts a traditional Maori chief with full-face Ta Moko, created by Sydney Parkinson in 1784. It represents the sacred and social identity of Maori individuals and is a valuable visual record of early Maori tattoo traditions.
Yixian Ancient Street during Lantern Festival
The Palace Museum is located in the center of Beijing, China. It was built in 1420. It is the royal palace of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties and is also the largest and best-preserved wooden palace complex in the world. The Palace Museum not only has a spectacular royal building complex, but also has more than 1.8 million precious collections, which contain rich historical and cultural connotations and craftsmanship wisdom. Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 11: Build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements
The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary is located in Sichuan Province, China, including the Wolong, Siguniang Mountain and Jiajin Mountain areas. This area is ecologically diverse and is one of the largest and most important giant panda habitats in the world. The area is of great significance to maintaining global biodiversity and environmental stability. Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests, combat desertification, curb land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Ta Moko is the traditional tattooing practice of the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), distinguished by intricate spiral patterns carved into the skin. Unlike decorative tattoos, Ta Moko is deeply symbolic, representing one's genealogy, social status, tribal affiliations, and personal achievements. Historically, the practice involved chiseling the skin with uhi (carving tools), leaving textured grooves. While Ta Moko declined during colonization, it has seen cultural revival since the late 20th century, especially among younger Māori reclaiming their identity. Today, Ta Moko is considered a living expression of Indigenous knowledge, cultural resilience, and ancestral storytelling.
The Palace Museum is located in the center of Beijing, China. It was built in 1420 and was the royal palace of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is also the largest and best-preserved wooden palace complex in the world. Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
The Palace Museum was built in 1420 as the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the largest and most complete imperial wooden structure complex in the world, housing more than 1.8 million precious cultural relics and an important symbol of Chinese culture. Goal 11: Build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements
The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, is located in the center of Beijing, China. It was the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1420-1912) and one of the largest and most complete existing wooden palace complexes in the world. The Forbidden City represents the pinnacle of traditional Chinese architectural art and court culture. It houses more than 1.8 million precious cultural relics, which are of immeasurable value for the study of Chinese history, art and traditional crafts. Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Scottish Gaelic Song: Òran Mòr
Òran Mòr ("Great Song") refers to a body of traditional Scottish Gaelic songs passed down through oral tradition for centuries in the Highlands and Islands. These songs reflect the emotional, social, and historical identity of Gaelic-speaking communities. They range from laments to love songs, work chants to epic ballads, often sung unaccompanied or with minimal instrumentation. Today, organizations and cultural initiatives actively work to record, perform, and teach these songs to younger generations. This intangible cultural heritage contributes to the preservation of the endangered Scottish Gaelic language and the revitalization of Highland identity in Scotland.
Abhainn An T Sluaigh – Traditional Scottish Gaelic Song
This video features the traditional Scottish Gaelic song "Abhainn An T Sluaigh", which translates as "The Crowded River". It is a folk melody rooted in Celtic oral traditions, reflecting the linguistic and musical heritage of the Highlands. Although the video is only 22 seconds long, it captures the essence of Gaelic musical identity — meditative, poetic, and deeply tied to the landscape. Its preservation and dissemination contribute to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, aligned with SDG 11.4.
The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary is located in Sichuan Province, China, and includes the Wolong, Siguniang Mountain and Jiajin Mountain areas. This area is ecologically diverse and is one of the largest and most important giant panda habitats in the world. This area is of great significance to maintaining global biodiversity and environmental stability. Through digital monitoring, intelligent wildlife tracking and data analysis, we can more effectively protect endangered species and the ecological environment and enhance the public's ecological awareness.
The linked media shows a 2007 street view of Hong Kong at night along Portland street, with a plethora of signs: some LED, some neon. Neon signs enjoyed its heyday in Hong Kong during the later part of the 20th century, with most businesses using as a form of identity and advertisement. Estimates put an average of 120,000 signs at the end of 2010. After 2010, due to tightening government regulations ordering removal of signs that did not "meet government regulations", their numbers have plummeted to less than 400. After the city’s handover to China in 1997, there have been tightening regulations on ‘unauthorized’ neon signs and enhanced safety regulations, with removal orders issued spiking in 2017-2021. As paperwork to appeal for authorization of the signs is complicated and upkeep of the signs get more expensive, more shopkeepers have elected to remove the signs in favor of switching to cheaper LED alternatives.