scholarly journals Biological invasions in World Heritage Sites: current status and a proposed monitoring and reporting framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 3327-3347
Author(s):  
Ross T. Shackleton ◽  
Bastian Bertzky ◽  
Louisa E. Wood ◽  
Nancy Bunbury ◽  
Heinke Jäger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Invasions ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Current Status ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
The Status ◽  
New Framework

Abstract UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) are areas of outstanding universal value and conservation importance. They are, however, threatened by a variety of global change drivers, including biological invasions. We assessed the current status of biological invasions and their management in 241 natural and mixed WHS globally by reviewing documents collated by UNESCO and IUCN. We found that reports on the status of biological invasions in WHS were often irregular or inconsistent. Therefore, while some reports were very informative, they were hard to compare because no systematic method of reporting was followed. Our review revealed that almost 300 different invasive alien species (IAS) were considered as a threat to just over half of all WHS. Information on IAS management undertaken in WHS was available for fewer than half of the sites that listed IAS as a threat. There is clearly a need for an improved monitoring and reporting system for biological invasions in WHS and likely the same for other protected areas globally. To address this issue, we developed a new framework to guide monitoring and reporting of IAS in protected areas building on globally accepted standards for IAS assessments, and tested it on seven WHS. The framework requires the collation of information and reporting on pathways, alien species presence, impacts, and management, the estimation of future threats and management needs, assessments of knowledge and gaps, and, using all of this information allows for an overall threat score to be assigned to the protected area. This new framework should help to improve monitoring of IAS in protected areas moving forward.

Associative dimension in World Heritage: an analysis of criterion (vi)

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Herrmann ◽  
Christina Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Research Result ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
The World ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
Expert Meeting

Purpose – This paper is based on a presentation given at the international World Heritage expert meeting on criterion (vi) held in Warsaw, Poland, in March 2012. Results were updated and adapted to scientific standards. The purpose of this paper is to understand the associative dimension in World Heritage by looking at the evolution and application of criterion (vi). Design/methodology/approach – For this paper, historical and qualitative approaches were combined. An understanding of the evolution of the criterion (vi) wording was gained through historical analysis and the consultation of relevant World Heritage statutory documents. A selected number of criterion (vi) statements were analyzed in qualitative terms. Results were then discussed in relation to the evolution of criterion (vi) wording and the understanding of pertinent World Heritage concepts. Findings – Criterion (vi) holds a special position. It addresses an associative dimension of cultural World Heritage sites. Due to its special character, its wording was subject to several changes. While its wording became ever more flexible, this development has not fostered the inscription of exceptional cases or the equal use of cultural associations. An inconsistent interpretation has also weakened the concept of Outstanding Universal Value. Research limitations/implications – Only inscriptions were taken into consideration. They usually have a World Heritage Committee approved criterion (vi) statement. Limitations to this research result from this restriction. Originality/value – The paper represents a comprehensive study of the application and interpretation of criterion (vi) that combines the understanding of the evolution of the criterion’s wording with the analysis of a large number of World Heritage inscriptions. It is of interest to the World Heritage community and contributes to the World Heritage discourse.

scholarly journals The Assessment of Historic Towns’ Outstanding Universal Value Based on the Interchange of Human Values They Exhibit

Heritage ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1874-1891
Author(s):  
Abdel Tawab
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Town Planning ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Human Values ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value

Influences exerted by cultural heritage properties on developments in architecture, town planning, or landscape design represent one of the criteria that are used to evaluate the Outstanding Universal Value of the properties nominated for listing as World Heritage Sites, which is criterion (ii). In 1996, the wording of criterion (ii) was revised to address the interchange of human values exhibited by cultural heritage properties. The main aim of this study was to discuss the changes that occurred to the application of criterion (ii) following the revision of its wording of 1996, particularly in relation to historic towns. The study also aimed at investigating the applicability of the revised version of criterion (ii) to the particularity of the cultural heritage of an Egyptian historic town and a potential World Heritage Site, which is “Historic quarters and monuments of Rosetta/Rachid”. To achieve these aims, a sample of World Heritage Sites, or potential ones, representing both the pre-1996 and the post-1996 historic towns whose Outstanding Universal Value was justified based on criterion (ii), was adopted for the analysis of the changes in the application of criterion (ii). Subsequently, a brief preview of the major features that represent the mutual influences experienced throughout Rosetta’s wider cultural context was carried out. The findings revealed that the prevalent trend in the post-1996 listings of historic towns is the emphasis on other cultures’ influences exerted on the concerned historic towns through interchanges of human values that take the form of exchanges of technical know-how, traditions and religious values. The findings also indicated the applicability of the revised version of criterion (ii) to the particularity of Rosetta’s cultural heritage. The study recommends inscribing Rosetta on the World Heritage List based on criterion (ii).

scholarly journals Managing congestion at visitor hotspots using park-level use level data: Case study of a Chinese World Heritage site

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Hui Guo ◽  
Tian Guo ◽  
Kai-Miao Lin ◽  
Yu-Fai Leung ◽  
Qiu-Hua Chen
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Minute Interval ◽  
Monitoring Technologies

AbstractTourist congestion at hot spots has been a major management concern for UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other iconic protected areas. A growing number of heritage sites employ technologies, such as cameras and electronic ticket-checking systems, to monitor user levels, but data collected by these monitoring technologies are often under-utilize. In this study, we illustrated how to integrate data from hot spots by camera-captured monitoring and entrance counts to manage use levels at a World Heritage Site in southeastern China. 6,930 photos of a congestion hotspot (scenic outlook on a trail) were collected within the park at a 10-minute interval over 105 days from January to November 2017. The entrance counts were used to predict daily average and maximum use level at the hotspot Average use level at the congestion hotspot did not exceed the use limit mandated by the Chinese park administration agency. However, from 9:20 am to 12:00 pm, the use level at hotspots exceeded visitor preferred use level. Visitor use level was significantly higher at the hotspot during a major Chinese “golden week” holiday. The daily entrance counts significantly predicted the average and maximum use level at the hotspot. Based on our findings, we recommend that the number of visitors entering the gate on each day should be less than 28,764 for the hotspots to meet use level mandates, while less than 6,245 to meet visitor preference. The gap manifested the complexity in visitor capacity management at high-use World Heritage Sites and other protected areas and calls for innovative monitoring and management strategies.

scholarly journals Sergiu Musteață, Evaluarea și monitorizarea siturilor înscrise în Lista patrimoniului mondial din România / Evaluation and monitoring of the World Heritage Sites in Romania

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-77
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
World Heritage Convention ◽  
World Heritage List ◽  
The World ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
Evaluation And Monitoring

Since 1972, UNESCO has established a frame of protection for cultural and natural heritage (Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage) and the “World Heritage List”, which it considers as having an outstanding universal value. In 1994, at the Nara Conference, the Document of Authenticity was adopted, stating that ”the protection and enhancement of cultural and heritage diversity in our world should be actively promoted as an essential aspect of human development”. Since 1997, States Parties have to provide regular reports on the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and the conservation status of each site listed on the World Heritage List. So far, two periodic reports have been made (2000-2006 and 2008-2015), and the third was recently launched (2017-2022).

Rethinking and revaluating UNESCO World Heritage Sites

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry Louis Stiefel
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Common Heritage ◽  
World Heritage List ◽  
The World ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
The Usa

Purpose Having more than 1,000 sites on the World Heritage List raises questions regarding what world heritage means. The re-evaluation of heritage sites within the USA will be conducted as a case study, where similar issues of historical designation has taken place. Within recent decades there has emerged a policy of revisiting designations that occurred prior to 1990, when the nomination process was less rigorous. These re-evaluations do not necessarily remove the property from heritage designation, but the process has been valuable from a qualitative standpoint because a better understanding of significance has been achieved. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach Within recent decades there has emerged a policy of revisiting designations that occurred prior to 1990 in the USA, when the nomination process was less rigorous. Should a similar approach or policy be made to the properties placed on the World Heritage List during the first decades, since the expectations for demonstrating outstanding universal value have since increased? The result could be that we end up with a more robust World Heritage List that provides a better definition of what the common heritage of humanity is. Findings The way we approach and conceptualize World Heritage needs to evolve accordingly, considering how much it has evolved since the Convention in 1972. The experiences of re-evaluating historic places in the USA since the 1990s has much to offer. Research limitations/implications Only the perspective of the USA is given, as a case study. Contributions from practitioners in other countries experienced in heritage site re-evaluation best practices would be meaningful. Practical implications Re-evaluating World Heritage Sites is something to consider as a management prospect for places on or under consideration for the World Heritage List since it could bring a more comprehensive understanding of outstanding universal value. This type of re-evaluation may help in addressing the meaning of place(s), contextualization of multiple locations of common heritage, and the political elitism of the World Heritage List, where some countries are over represented due to sites listed through a less-experienced process from earlier decades. Social implications Revisiting the World Heritage List in respect to policy and the meaning of world heritage may be in order. For example, should every nation be entitled to list at least one property to the list regardless of its heritage value? Originality/value Since the 1970s, coinciding with the establishment of the World Heritage List through the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the USA has dealt with dynamic and complex logistical problems regarding the recognition and interpretation of its cultural heritage.

Challenges to sustainability in prospective world heritage sites

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Kuzuoglu ◽  
Stella Kladou
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
Cultural Value ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Tangible Assets ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
National Governments ◽  
The Relationship

Heritage cities often build on their cultural assets to develop as destinations. Yet, the assets communicated to visitors usually present only part of the picture. Heritage cities often tend to possess a significant cultural value that is hidden from the prying eyes. This value is not only exhibited as tangible assets, but the accumulation of knowledge and experience in the culture-laden milieu is also central to the notion of heritage (Falser, 2015). Such intangible elements have found their way into international discussions in recent years (Vecco, 2010). Heritage cities, as living spaces, also embrace a cultural heritage inseparable from local communities, and in a broader perspective, from the whole of humanity. This perspective is central to the creation of World Heritage Sites (WHSs) seeking to protect the world’s heritage with Outstanding Universal Value under the umbrella of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (1972). In this process, however, the heritage assets inscribed as WHSs are nominated by national governments which, upon inscription, become the primary entity responsible for safeguarding their integrity. The primary motivation for this research is the centralized governance structure in developing countries and how this affects the potential to achieve sustainability through tourism development. Turkey is an example of such a centralized system in regard to tourism and heritage management (Yüksel et al., 2005) which includes the WHSs. In Turkey, WHSs are not only effective tools to aid foreign policy (Atakuman, 2010) but are also integral to culture-driven tourism strategy (Ozturk & van Niekerk, 2014). Despite inconclusive evidence in the literature on the relationship between proliferation of tourism and WHS status (Jimura, 2011; Poria et al., 2013), Turkey’s proactive relationship with UNESCO may be interpreted as reaffirming the perceived linkage between WHS status and visitation.

A Cultural Creativity Framework for the Sustainability of Intangible Cultural Heritage

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siow-Kian Tan ◽  
Hui-Hui Lim ◽  
Siow-Hooi Tan ◽  
Yon-Sin Kok
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Interaction Model ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Intangible Cultural Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
The Status ◽  
Depth Interviews

The purpose of this study is to understand the elements of creativity, as well as to what extent and how creativity serves as a tool in preserving the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) at World Heritage Sites (WHSs). A WHS will lose its uniqueness if the ICH disappears. Hence, it is important to determine how creativity may sustain the ICH. In-depth interviews, and participant and nonparticipant observations were conducted, and a 5As—actor, audience, affordance, artifact, and apprentice—cultural creativity interaction model was constructed. These elements of cultural creativity may serve as a guideline for different stakeholders in sustaining the status of a WHS.

scholarly journals Sergiu Musteata, The State of Conservation and Periodic Reporting – A Way for Better Preservation and Sustainable Development of the World Heritage Sites

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 227-242
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
World Heritage List ◽  
The World ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
Effective System

Since 1972 UNESCO has established a frame of protection for cultural and natural heritage (Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage) and the “World Heritage List”, which it considers as having outstanding universal value. In 1994, at the Nara Conference, the Document on Authenticity was established, stating that “the protection and enhancement of cultural and heritage diversity in our world should be actively promoted as an essential aspect of human development”. Today, many factors affect the authenticity and integrity of cultural heritage: intensive tourism, excessive restoration works, new inappropriate investments or uncorrelated private interventions, etc. The debates on cultural heritage research, preservation and management have increased in recent years as the effect of UNESCO standards, namely to establish “an effective system of collective protection of the cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value, organized on a permanent basis and in accordance with modern scientific methods”. The problem of preservation, management, and promotion of heritage is of crucial importance from many points of views: scientific, technologic, socio-economic, and cultural.

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