World Heritage Status Research Articles

UNESCO heritage, remembrance, and contemporary identity: festivities of Jewish culture in small towns in the Czech Republic

ABSTRACT Třebíč is the only Czech town, but one of several in the world, to have its Jewish quarter separately listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For more than twenty years, this small town has held not one but two events related to Jewish culture: Shamayim Jewish Culture Festival and Jewish Town Revived, a cultural and historical festivity. Based on long-term and repeated fieldwork from 2017 to the present, the article explains how the acquisition of the UNESCO World Heritage status of the local Jewish quarter determined the reinterpretation and appropriation of the tangible monuments and immaterial references to Jewish culture from a more or less tolerated and dilapidated relic of the past into an essential and prestigious identity marker of today’s completely non-Jewish Třebíč. What elements other than Jewish material cultural heritage do the Třebíč festivities refer to, and how do today’s music/dance/theatre performers – who are overwhelmingly non-Jewish – present them? How do the festivities relate to the local Jewish past and where are the limits of imagination and reference to historical realia? What other purposes do the festivities serve today and how do they affect the revitalization of the quarter?

Visual Analysis of Social Media Data on Experiences at a World Heritage Tourist Destination: Historic Centre of Macau

The burgeoning field of sustainable tourism in historically significant urban districts has derived increasing attention in tandem with broader urban economic development. The perceived image of a tourist destination significantly affects tourist consumption behaviors and destination choices, while negative evaluations provide destination managers with insights for targeted improvements to tourist amenities, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of these historically significant districts. This study leveraged Python 3.12.3 software to collect online textual data from popular tourism websites, specifically Ctrip 8.71.4 and Mafengwo 11.1.7. Then, ROST CM6.0 software facilitated high-frequency word analysis, network semantic analysis, and sentiment analysis to outline the perceived image and characteristics of the Macau Historic District, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from the perspective of tourists. The findings are as follows: (1) The image of the Historic Centre of Macao as a tourist destination comprises four primary dimensions: cultural (16.02%), landscape (30.85%), emotional (16.97%), and local (36.16%). (2) Tourists perceive the Historic Centre of Macao as a blend of dynamism and tranquility, tradition, and modernity. (3) Emotional evaluations of the Historic Centre of Macao as a tourist destination are primarily positive (85.45%), whereas negative sentiments constitute 5.76%, with recurring themes pertaining to overcrowding, high prices, a lack of interactive experiences at attractions, excessive commercialization, and insufficient public rest facilities. These findings offer valuable directives for the future planning and development of tourism in Macau, a city recognized for its World Heritage status. (4) In summary, the thematic image of the Historic Centre of Macao can be considered authentic, romantic, and commercialized.

Evolution of heritage and development in Liverpool's waterfront over 40 years

The recent delisting of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site has highlighted the adverse impacts of ongoing urban developments on the city’s heritage. This study aims to address the critical question of how Liverpool can safeguard its heritage following the loss of its World Heritage status. As this status withdrawal implies a lack of international policy consideration, it raises important questions: What additional measures should be implemented? How could we reassess Liverpool's heritage in this new context? To tackle these issues, we investigate the changing relationship between safeguarding heritage and urban development on Liverpool Waterfront’s Historic Urban Landscape over the past 40 years. This study analyses the impact of developments on Liverpool’s heritage values, specifically focusing on Integrity, Authenticity, and Outstanding Universal Value. By employing a novel, top-down heritage impact assessment methodology, we evaluate the influence of urban and architectural developments on these values. This methodology is distinguished by its comprehensive comparative analysis of diverse elements drawn from heritage policy documents, spanning both tangible and intangible domains. In addition, we conducted interviews with experts familiar with Liverpool's heritage context to deepen our understanding of developmental impacts. The analysis framework comprises three case study areas and their associated developments: the adaptive reuse of the Albert Dock Complex (1981–1988), the Pier Head Developments (2007–2013), and the Stanley Dock Conservation Area (2021 onwards). The findings indicate that adaptive reuse schemes have been reasonably successful in preserving heritage values, whereas certain urban interventions have had detrimental effects. This study underscores the need for stricter regulations and broader stakeholder involvement to protect Liverpool's heritage. Further research is recommended, incorporating more development case studies and examining successful urban interventions in other heritage cities, to strengthen Liverpool’s heritage safeguarding strategies amidst evolving urban development pressures.

The effects of world heritage status on European city residents’ subjective quality of life

PurposeBeing awarded world heritage status is a distinguishing factor when it comes to promoting tourism in a city. Tourism in these cities should be developed in a way that does not compromise either the city’s heritage or the inhabitants' quality of life. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of a European city achieving world heritage status on the subjective quality of life of its citizens.Design/methodology/approachFirst of all, we classify European cities according to whether or not they have been declared world heritage sites. Then, we analyze the effect of this classification on the main aspects used to measure the residents' perception of quality of life that are available in the Flash Eurobarometer 419.FindingsThe results show that achieving world heritage status has a negative effect on residents' perceptions of the noise level, air quality and feeling of safety. However, it does not affect their perceptions of public transport or cleanliness. In addition, world heritage status positively affects residents’ perceptions of the cultural activities in the city and their ease of finding a job. Residents report high levels of happiness in both world heritage and non-heritage cities, although levels are somewhat higher in non-heritage cities.Originality/valueResidents' perceptions of the influence of tourism on their quality of life are undoubtedly of major importance; however, due to a lack of available data, few studies have examined this subjective quality of life at the city level.

Urban Heritage Facility Management: A Conceptual Framework for the Provision of Urban-Scale Support Services in Norwegian World Heritage Sites

This study validated the theoretical keypoints obtained from a previously published scoping literature review within the context of three Norwegian World Heritage sites: Røros, Rjukan, and Notodden. The cross-sectional table of the urban heritage facility management (UHFM) framework, which is based on interviews and correspondence, demonstrates the connection between the tasks of the six clusters of technical departments responsible for the provision of urban-scale support services and the modified critical steps of the Historic Urban Landscape approach, in which an additional step for “monitoring and evaluation” was included. UHFM operates at the intersection of heritage preservation, urban-scale facility management, and stakeholder coordination, which requires a careful balance between urban heritage conservation and sustainable urban management practices, thus enabling the preservation of World Heritage status that, among others, fosters sustainable tourism. The three case studies highlighted the significance of UHFM in preserving heritage value, authenticity, visual quality, and significance. Besides providing comprehensive support services that extend beyond the daily tasks of conservators and World Heritage managers, UHFM also allows feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement. This study highlighted the complex relationship between the provision of urban-scale support services and the preservation of Outstanding Universal Value as the core business of World Heritage sites.

34 lata i wciąż przybywa: dotychczasowe doświadczenia związane z obiektami na Liście Światowego Dziedzictwa w Salonikach w Grecji

Situated in the north of Greece, Thessaloniki, the country’s second largest city, is foremostly admired for its uninterrupted history of over twenty-three centuries. In solid proof of this remarkable continuity, its historic center is interspersed with a wide array of archaeological and architectural remains that date from Hellenistic to modern times. The most distinguished segment of this unique heritage is by far the city’s Early Christian and Byzantine legacy. More than half of its surrounding walls, fourteen churches and one bath comprise a unique ensemble, revered in the whole of Europe as early as the 19th century. Not surprisingly, at the end of the 20th century, it became one of the first Greek cultural assets to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Thirty-four years have passed since then, a substantial period of time that allows, on the present occasion of the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, for a review and appraisal of the impact of the inscription. This is precisely the goal of this paper, which will be pursued through an original discussion and evaluation of the consequences of World Heritage status, on one hand for the monuments themselves, and on the other, for their urban, architectural, social and educational setting. Extensive bibliographic research and thorough on-site examination will provide the basis for this discussion, which will culminate with a didactic conclusion as to the degree to which the full potential of the inscription has been achieved or remains to be pursued.

STUDY ON THE HISTORICAL CHANGES IN THE CENTRAL AXIS OF BEIJING BASED ON MODERN TECHNOLOGY

Abstract. With the acceleration of urbanization, the Chinese government has placed increasing importance on the preservation of historical and cultural sites. Recently, the Beijing municipal government has been working on the World Heritage application for the Beijing Central Axis for several years and has set a clear goal to formally apply for World Heritage status before 2025. Currently, the project has entered the final sprint stage (Zhang Yongjun, 2018(12):105-107).The Beijing Central Axis, as an important carrier of natural and cultural heritage, embodies a unique cultural heritage. As "Beijing's unique and magnificent order," the Central Axis is not just a single line but a corridor. However, during the preparation for the World Heritage application, there have been different understandings of the concept of the Central Axis, and the selection of heritage sites has not been comprehensive and systematic. Therefore, in studying the issues related to the Central Axis, utilizing POI data to conduct kernel density analysis and linear regression analysis on the cultural landmarks within Beijing can help infer the location of the Central Axis in different periods. By employing spatial analysis methods using ArcGIS, a systematic study of the characteristics of the Beijing Central Axis can be conducted, summarizing its distribution and spatial form characteristics across different dynasties. This research can provide valuable reference for future in-depth studies, conservation and utilization efforts, and the World Heritage application of the Central Axis.

The Outstanding Geology And Geoheritage Of The Niah Caves And Karst Area

This paper provides an overview of current information (including research results since 2011) on outstanding geological features of Niah karst region and caves, to support nomination of the property for World Heritage status. The geomorphology visible today is due to geological processes affecting the predominantly Miocene Subis Limestone since uplift: dissolution in vadose and phreatic zones, sediment deposition and removal, mechanical breakdown, speleothem formation and surface weathering. The caves developed at several levels in tropical tower karst (fenglin), with vertical cliffs, swamp notches and a semi-flooded epiphreatic cave network, evidence of ongoing karstification. The walls of relict Traders’ Cave have anastomosing ceiling grooves associated with wall notches indicating that it was partially filled with sediment and flow from large streams several times during its formation, prior to more recent mechanical breakdown. The numerous large and complex caves have high aesthetic value, with ceiling skylights and impressive entrances connecting to the surrounding forest. They contain speleothems (stalagmites and stalactites) of types rarely found elsewhere in the world. The Painted Cave holds one of the world’s largest cluster of unique crayback-like stalagmites, which are influenced by constructive activity of calcifying cyanobacteria and only form under limited environmental conditions of specific light levels and wind. Microbial activity can also be erosive and is likely responsible for pancake pinnacles and rare photokarren, reported here in Niah for the first time. In addition to their undisputed archaeological, cultural, ecosystems and conservation values, the Niah caves and karst region also have many interesting geological and geomorphological features, some of which are rare and hence have geoheritage value.

Reinterpretation of ‘Sacred Space’ at The Newark Earthworks and Serpent Mound

Mound-building was a preoccupation for the original, Indigenous occupants of the eastern portion of North America for at least six centuries. The efforts, from small to monumental, reflect a precision, often reflecting astronomical phenomena and are proliferated across the region. Today many remnants of these extraordinary efforts remain despite the systems of erasure that are characteristic of settler colonialism. Two such sites are the focus of this paper: the Newark Earthworks and Serpent Mound. Both sites are short-listed for UNESCO World Heritage status. Newark, Hopewell, and Serpent are all names given by dominant culture with no relation to the Indigenous architects and builders. They endure and resist, despite a long and complicated history of dominance. This paper offers a brief historical contextualization to demonstrate the ramifications of settler colonialism, which ruptured connections between Indigenous people and this land while simultaneously reinterpreting the sites as distinctly American. This lays a foundation for the web of narratives refashioned and recirculated in today’s contest over World Heritage status. Central to these narratives is ascribing the label of “sacred” to the sites and the vast number of constituents who claim “ownership” of them, including both local and global governmental agencies, historical societies, Native peoples, academics, and golfers. Furthermore, we can include those with religious and/or spiritual claims to the mounds such as the Mormons, new-agers, fundamentalist Christians, and contemporary Native tribes. Many of these stakeholders have come together to work toward the coveted World Heritage Status. But, if and when that happens, whose story will dominate? Who will make decisions? Whose voice will be heard?

Study on the walkability of old city streets in Beijing from the perspective of application of Central Axis for World Heritage List

The year 2023 is a key year for Beijing’s Central Axis to apply for World Heritage List. As the social space of urban culture, the streets are the communication space between modern-day residents and living heritage. In the blocks applying for World Heritage status, the walkability of the streets has an important impact on the presentation of the scene, cultural exchange, and tourist guidance. Based on the perspective of Central Axis application for World Heritage List, this study attempted to provide updated planning suggestions for the improvement of street walkability quality. Focusing on the human scale, first, 13 objective indicators and three subjective indicators of the streets in the buffer zone were evaluated by semantic segmentation, virtual audit, Likert scale, and other methods, as well as by acquiring the latest street view. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to explore the main factors affecting the walkability of the streets. The results show that 13 objective indicators such as street interface, street facilities and street style in space show a trend of gradual decline from the central axis to both sides. Buildings on the north side of Chang’an Avenue in Beijing’s Old Town better preserve the architectural style of the traditional hutong. The factors that were strongly related to the sense of security were the proportion of fences and the width of the street. The strongest correlation factor concerning comfort is the street aspect ratio, whereas the most important factor related to aesthetic perception is the degree of preservation of traditional features. Finally, the paper puts forward some new strategies, such as clearly distinguishing street pedestrian and vehicular functions, controlling green visual ratio to adjust street visual aspect ratio, and protecting traditional street pattern.

The colonizers, the developmental state, and uneven geography of development: Reclamation of South Korea's tidal flats, 1900s-1980s

South Korea's tidal flats, called getbol, are muddy and grayish coastal wetlands under the tidal influence that constitute the predominant landform of South Korea's west and southwest coasts. Today, getbol is appreciated for its biological and geological diversity, for which it recently earned UNESCO's World Heritage status. Yet, throughout the 20th century, more than 50% of getbol areas were lost due to coastal reclamation, a civil engineering practice of enclosing and filling in getbol. This paper closely examines the history of getbol from the 1900s to the 1980s. While being messy and complex, the history shows a tendency for reclamation to have evolved from small to large in terms of scale and from private-led to state-led initiatives. In popular imaginations, the reclamation of getbol is thought to have been driven top-down by governing authorities, particularly by the “developmental state” that roughly governed from the 1960s through the 1980s. While this explanation aligns with the general trend, this paper highlights that the state did not act solely upon its own will but responded to the desires of those that the state had to satisfy to gain political legitimacy. Ultimately, within the context of South Korea's uneven geography of development, this paper argues that the reclamation of getbol transitioned from a project for the entire nation to a project for the rural populations and the agricultural sector, which lagged behind the country's tantalizing economic growth.

Participatory governance of intangible heritage to develop sustainable rural tourism: the timber-raftsmen of La Pobla de Segur, Spain

ABSTRACT Rural areas face the challenge of managing intangible heritage in ways that avoid problems such as the loss of authenticity linked to over-tourism, or living heritage becoming disconnected from the local community due to overprotection. This study explores an innovative method for promoting a participatory governance process for intangible heritage currently managed on a non-participatory basis, in that the local community establishes a consensual model of sustainable tourism development that promotes both the rural renaissance of the area and the preservation of its Intangible Cultural Heritage. This research explores the case of the ‘raiers’ (timber-raftmen) of La Pobla de Segur, an ancient trade of transporting timber by river, recently awarded Intangible World Heritage status by UNESCO. Methods include participant observation, interviews, and discussion groups. The local community felt empowered to find a consensus on how to manage this Intangible Cultural Heritage by focusing on sustainable tourism development that preserves heritage while contributing to the rural renaissance of the area. The local community eagerly engaged by putting forward proposals, indicating the importance of agreements and new initiatives.

Archaeological Tourism, World Heritage and Social Value: A Comparative Study in China

ABSTRACT This article investigates the relationship between archaeological tourism, UNESCO World Heritage designation, and the social value attached to archaeological sites in China. It aims to provide novel insights into such connections by examining the impact of archaeological tourism on the social values that local communities place on archaeological sites that are in the process of becoming World Heritage Sites. In recent decades, the increasing commercialization of archaeological sites for tourism, combined with the growing influence of the World Heritage listing process, has had a significant impact on the lives of communities in close proximity to archaeological sites. One way to comprehend such an effect is to examine changes in the social values assigned to those sites by their local residents. This is due to the ability of tourism development to (re)create and modify such values attributed to archaeological sites by changing their function, capacity, quality, and meaning. The World Heritage listing process, particularly during the pre-nomination period, plays an important role in shaping the tourist transformation of these sites in preparation for World Heritage inscription. Against this backdrop, this article focuses on two archaeological sites that have recently obtained the World Heritage status: the Daming Palace archaeological site and the Huashan rock art area. By applying ethnographic approaches, the article illustrates the complex influence of tourism development and the World Heritage Convention on contemporary Chinese society, in order to encourage further reflection on the existing management and development mechanisms of archaeological sites in China and around the world.

Heritage contestation in matterscape, mindscape, and powerscape

Landscape heritage is frequently contested as perspectives on heritage and landscape may vary across stakeholders. The present article makes a novel contribution by examining pathways to landscape heritage contestation. We propose a distinction between (a) heritage as object in matterscape, being the physical landscape out-there, (b) heritage as meaning in mindscape, being the landscape as experienced by a subject, and (c) heritage as political act in powerscape, being the landscape as rules that organise behaviour. Contestation, then, might originate in matterscape, mindscape, or powerscape. We illustrate these pathways to contestation upon analyses of semi-structured interviews among stakeholders of Schokland, The Netherlands, a World Heritage site. Findings reveal contestation about matterscape pertaining to the issue whether a water system leads to wet spots on adjacent agricultural land, about mindscape pertaining to the beauty of new nature developed around Schokland, and powerscape pertaining to the rules associated with the World Heritage status.

Taking the Pulse of Global Change with World Heritage Data Sets

Applying World Heritage status to highly valuable environmental records would spotlight the vital insights they provide into how Earth is changing and would ensure their longevity and accessibility.

Tourism sustainability model for a world heritage destination: the case of residents’ perception of Ohrid

World Heritage (WH) status is anticipated to promote sustainable development by protecting the destination’s outstanding natural and cultural resources, generating economic advantages, attracting visitors, and improving the quality of life for its residents. Putting the economic advantages and values first has a critical effect on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), which negatively impacts the destination’s sustainability, such as quality of life. This study proposes a sustainability model based on UNESCO OUV to evaluate tourism’s role in a WH destination’s residents’ perception of quality of life. The model was tested on a WH destination Ohrid (North Macedonia). The findings revealed that tourism has a beneficial economic impact while also having a negative influence on the OUV ecological environment and residents’ perception of quality of life. The discussion takes place in UNESCO’s considerations to add Ohrid to the list of WH in Danger due to unsustainable tourism development. The findings encourage destination managers to take responsibility for the OUV resources and to take the necessary actions to improve tourism sustainability. The model can be easily adapted and applied to any WH destination.

Citizens' perceptions of World Heritage values: the case of Cuenca, Ecuador

PurposeThis paper aims to study possible differences between the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) defined in the designation of Cuenca as a World Heritage (WH) site and its inhabitants' perceptions of heritage value. The study is based on research conducted in the historic centre of Cuenca in Ecuador, which was accorded WH status in 1999.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, providing a complementary approach to the research subject. Quantitative research involved a probability survey of 400 informants randomly selected from the population of the canton of Cuenca, while qualitative research included 40 semi-structured interviews with residents and traders in the historic centre and 150 further written consultations with residents of the city.FindingsFollowing the introduction, methodology and description, the paper presents the data gathered from the survey and interviews. These indicate inhabitants' perceptions of the meaning, values, and uses of WH in Cuenca and reveal differences between their perceptions and those of the official OUV.Originality/valueAlthough there are several studies on WH residents' perceptions of UNESCO OUV, few highlight the mismatch between local community views of heritage and those established by UNESCO. This study reflects critically on the concept of OUV, which is based on technical and political criteria rather than social participation. The study employs methodologies that could be applied in other case studies and used to improve heritage management. This is the only study on local perceptions of Cuenca's OUV.

Where past meets future

Abstract Ireland's historic astronomical observatories at Armagh, Birr and Dunsink are embarking on the process of seeking UNESCO World Heritage Status. Michael Burton examines the deep astronomical heritage that they embody.

Pursuing sustainable conservation of Hashima/Gunkanjima Island as an authentic heritage site

ABSTRACT This research explores an impasse in the listing of Hashima Island, also called Gunkanjima as a UNESCO World Heritage site as a symbol of Meiji innovation. The debate centres on authenticity in the site designation process. To overcome this debate and ensure the site’s sustainable conservation, this study reinterprets the notion of authentic heritage as a kaleidoscope, including the scarred physical spaces of intangible conflict, forced labour, and a representation of imperial Japan’s economic zenith. Specifically, it reviews Gunkanjima Island’s rich history and investigates the process of obtaining World Heritage status, highlighting why Hashima Island’s World Heritage Site status has been heavily debated. In the field of architectural cities, historians must make compromises for conservation measures when interpreting the value of cultural heritage, such as that of Hashima Island. Such sites need to be sustainably preserved and respected under an expanded interpretation of authenticity. This study concludes that Hashima is a site of continuously reinterpreted memories. As such, its authenticity should lie in the site’s recognition as an object of inclusive historical reflection and progress over time, rather than in fixed authentic attributes. This compromise enables the sustainable conservation of the island’s heritage for all.

Politicization and Commodification of Tourism: Implications for George Town World Heritage Site

The inscription of World Heritage Status to both George Town and Melaka in 2008 had given tremendous impacts in terms of tourist arrivals and the growth of economy. While the inscription has pinned Malaysia on the global tourism map, the rapid pace of tourism development has resulted in a series of problems brought by tourism commodification. Tourism gentrification, outmigration and change of building uses are among the common symptoms of commodification. Taking George Town as a case study, this paper aims to explore the implications of tourism commodification, particularly on the physical impacts and local residents. This study is essential to identify the stage of commodification of the study area, whose development are based on the heritage commodification. Based on the site observations and semi-structured interviews with the residents, administrative staffs and business owners in the study area, several arguments are put forward in this paper. First, a phased process of tourism commodification has taken place in George Town, and triggered significant changes in lifestyle, community development, property market values and land use development. Second, George Town has shifted from a free trading port to a productivist heritage-scape, with local government being the principal influencing factor. Findings of the study reveal that commodification does not necessarily destroy the meaning of heritage in urban heritage destination, but also helps to improve economic status and quality of life of the local residents. Future research on commodification should be conducted in other World Heritage Sites and compare with the commodification stage in George Town World Heritage Site.