Sustainable heritage management practices at visited heritage sites in Devon and Cornwall

Abstract

Sustainability is a key challenge facing society in the twenty-first century, although its implementation at heritage sites can present some significant challenges for the custodians. This paper investigates progress in the adoption of sustainable practices in the management of a sample of 416 heritage properties and sites in Devon and Cornwall. The findings are based on the compilation of an inventory of selected heritage resources; an extensive questionnaire survey of managers of historic houses, churches and museums, which investigated the extent of, and opinions about, sustainable management approaches; and targeted, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with a small number of heritage managers that probed key issues in greater depth. The results indicate that very few heritage sites produce sufficient surpluses to facilitate investment in sustainable practices that might ultimately enhance their financial viability and fund enhanced conservation activities. It is argued that future strategies for the management of heritage resources must therefore not only deal with capacity-building, such as access to information and training on sector-specific sustainable management, but also address institutional factors governing heritage in the UK, such as strategic leadership, the most effective models for governance and funding mechanisms for sustainability, and the creation of local and regional heritage networks.