The Role of Heritage Impact Assessment in Safeguarding World Heritage Sites: Application Study on Historic Areas of Istanbul and Giza Pyramids

Abstract

This article aims to explore the role of heritage impact assessment (HIA) as a tool to safeguard world heritage sites from the adverse impacts of proposed projects as well as to recommend effective mitigation measures to create the balance between preservation and development. These mitigations will help the decision makers to take the right decision concerning the potential development. The methodology adopts a qualitative approach which is based on semi-structured interviews with site managers of two world heritage sites: historic areas of Istanbul in Turkey and the Giza pyramids in Egypt. Other interviews were conducted with some archaeologists and some governmental bodies in both countries to evaluate the level of awareness of HIA and assess the current and potential threats resulting from development proposals. Consequently, the article applies the HIA methodology to evaluate the potential impacts of proposed projects in both heritage sites. HIA can be an effective solution in order to eliminate the contradictions between the stakeholders investing in world heritage sites. The findings revealed that both world heritage sites are threatened by infrastructure and development projects. There is a lack of professionals who are able to conduct HIA methodology, thus Turkey and Egypt depend mainly on foreign experts to conduct it.