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.

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.

The development of legal framework for the management of World Heritage Sites in Oman: a case study on Bahla Oasis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ali Mohamed Khalil ◽  
Eman Hanye Mohamed Nasr
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Content Type ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
The World ◽  
Heritage Legislation

PurposeThe study aims to analyze the development of Omani heritage legislation against the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (WHC), 1972 and WHC Operational Guidelines (WHC-OGs) to predict the possible effects of the recent developments on the management of the World Heritage Site in Oman.Design/methodology/approachThis study discusses the development of the heritage protection legislation in Sultanate of Oman since 1970; it analyses the Omani Cultural Heritage Law 35/2019 against the recommendations of the UNESCO WHC as well as the requirements of the World Heritage Operational Guidelines. Moreover, the research investigates the possible effects of the recent heritage legislation developments on the management of Bahla Fort and Oasis in Oman, which is the first Omani World Heritage Site and the only site with special management regulations.FindingsThe paper outlines the effects of both the Omani Cultural Heritage Law 35/2019 and the Special Management Regulations 81/2019 on the implementation of the Bahla Management Plan. Additionally, the research establishes how the customization of heritage legislation as a special heritage management regulation facilitates the implementation of national legislation to solve specific local problems.Originality/valueThe study establishes the significance of developing comprehensive legislation to protect and manage the rich Omani cultural heritage and World Heritage Sites in alignment with the WHC and the WHC-OGs.

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).

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.

UNESCO culturele landschappen en management uitdagingen

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-148
Author(s):  
CAROL WESTRIK
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Landscapes ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
World Heritage List ◽  
The World ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value

UNESCO cultural landscapes and management challenges In 1992 UNESCO adopted guidelines to include cultural landscapes in the World Heritage List. Cultural Landscapes are defined as ‘combined works of nature and of man’. It is this interaction that has to be of outstanding universal value. It should also be the focus concerning the management of such World Heritage sites. It requires an interdisciplinary approach as it covers different disciplines and in some cases different management systems. The management system is a living document that looks ahead. A holistic approach and monitoring are essential in order to be able to identify possible threats to the OUV early on and to act upon them.

scholarly journals Towards an Integrative Understanding of ‘Authenticity’ of Cultural Heritage: An Analysis of World Heritage Site Designations in the Asian Context

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Williams Lawless ◽  
Kapila D. Silva
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Cultural Organization ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
The World ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
Asian Context

In the World Heritage Sites (WHS) designation, it is required to define the conditions that ‘authenticate’ the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of heritage sites. Initially, the notion of authenticity had been understood as an objective and measurable attribute inherent in the material fabric of sites. This perspective overlooked the fact that authenticity of a place is also culturally constructed, contextually variable and observer dependent. In 1994, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) introduced a set of attributes that facilitate a holistic understanding of authenticity of heritage sites which considers both tangible and intangible aspects of heritage together. To find out the extent to which this holistic understanding of authenticity is currently applied in the WHS designations, we analyzed nomination dossiers of 31 sites from the Asian context that were designated as World Heritage between 2005 and 2014. The findings point towards the continuing need to apply systematic, holistic and integrative perspectives of authenticity standards to heritage sites.

scholarly journals Christina Cameron, Recognizing Associative Values in World Heritage

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Its Analysis ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
The World ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
Expert Study

With the increased interest in the commemoration of sites of memory, including battlefields and sites of genocide, UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre commissioned an expert study in 2018 to clarify the way criterion (vi) is applied to recognize the associative values at nominated properties. The study was intended to facilitate knowledge-based decision-making for properties with strong associative values. This paper outlines the lack of clarity and the World Heritage Committee’s concerns about the definition and application of criterion (vi). After documenting the evolution in the wording of criterion (vi), the article explains the important contribution of the 2018 report, in particular its analysis of 240 statements of Outstanding Universal Value that have used criterion (vi). It concludes that further studies should focus on the analysis of the 240 World Heritage sites using precedents from previous inscriptions and case studies to theorize the six associations of criterion (vi), namely events, living traditions, ideas, beliefs, artistic works and literary works. Such research should also address methodologies for protecting and managing the attributes of associative values. These additional studies would support more consistent and knowledgeable use of criterion (vi) and thereby enhance the recognition and protection of associative values at World Heritage sites.

NESCO World Heritage Sites as a key for intercultural dialogue, humanist ideals and interfaith harmony

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-82
Author(s):  
А. Belekova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
Intercultural Dialogue ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
World Heritage List ◽  
The World ◽  
Cultural Component ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Cis Countries ◽  
Education Science

The article focuses on promoting intercultural cooperation and strengthening international community on the example of UNESCO World Heritage sites, inscribed into the World Heritage List that is being formed on the basis of the World Heritage Convention of 1972. UNESCO is a universal intergovernmental UN structure responsible for international cooperation in the sphere of education, science, culture and communication. One of the main activities of the Organization is the world heritage conservation and intercultural dialogue. The article analyzes the UNESCO role in the geopolitical architectonics of Eurasia in which the World Heritage gains a qualitatively new meaning. In the context of a sustainable development the integration of promoting intercultural interaction and heritage safeguarding becomes particularly urgent. The article deals with several initiatives aimed at enhancing the cultural component of the Eurasian integration, including the goals and perspectives of discussion platforms set up for experience exchange in the sphere of World Heritage sites’ conservation and their management. The article seeks to identify the most important challenges and goals of the cooperation strategy between UNESCO and the institutions concerned in the field of the intercultural dialogue promotion in the Eurasian area that seems to be very important both for Russia and the CIS countries, and for the perspectives of the emerging global civilization of the future

Smart Sustainable Marketing of the World Heritage Sites

2015 ◽  
pp. 291-310
Author(s):  
Deepak Chhabra
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
Online Marketing ◽  
Host Community ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Brand Marketing ◽  
The World ◽  
Sustainable Marketing ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Historical Past

This chapter revisits the author's earlier findings that scrutinized online marketing strategies employed by the world heritage sites (WHS) based on a predetermined set of sustainability indicators. Recent data shows that, for the most part, the WHS continue to lack behind in sustainable initiatives to promote their sites in a responsible manner. Only slight improvement is noted in terms of efforts to seek host community views on how the local heritage should be showcased and the manner on which culturally appropriate representations can be promoted. In the light of unexpected decreased visitation levels at most of the WHS, as reported by literature, a retro brand marketing strategy is suggested which strives to marry the rich historical past of the sites with the present need. A smart sustainable marketing agenda is proposed to improve brand equity and facilitate coordination between different stakeholders of the heritage sites and to attract increased visitations.

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).

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