Thinking of Culture and Nature Together – A New Standard in World Heritage Management

With the new handbook “Managing World Heritage,” UNESCO, together with ICCROM, ICOMOS, and IUCN, is sending a clear message: World Heritage can only be successfully protected if culture and nature are consistently considered together and managed jointly.

World Heritage sites worldwide are under growing pressure: climate change, natural disasters, construction projects, and limited resources present complex challenges to those responsible. Already, 86% of sites in 147 States Parties have faced management challenges.
In light of this, integrated, sustainable approaches are needed, and this is precisely where the new guidelines come in: They view World Heritage sites not in isolation, but as part of complex social, ecological, and economic contexts.

The focus is on contemporary, participatory management that strengthens the rights, knowledge, and participation of indigenous communities and local stakeholders. World Heritage is understood as a dynamic resource for sustainable development, biodiversity, cultural diversity, and social well-being.

This marks the first time a comprehensive, holistic framework has been formulated that equally connects cultural and natural heritage and views them as a shared mission.

More information: https://whc.unesco.org/en/managing-world-heritage

 Photo: Bamberg World Heritage Center