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Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Tourism, Culture, and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 45906

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Prof. Dr. Lucia Marchegiani

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Guest Editor

Department of Business Studies, Roma Tre University, 00162 Rome, Italy
Interests: digital transformation; cultural heritage management; holistic impact assessment; digital ecosystems; organizational behviour

Prof. Dr. Enrico Cori

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Guest Editor

Department of business organization, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona AN, Italy
Interests: inter-organizational networks in the cultural fields; digital technology and organizations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is undoubtful that cultural heritage is subject to a perspective based on sustainability. As cultural heritage belongs to humanity, it should be preserved for future generations. Just like natural resources and the environment are common goods, cultural artefacts, such as urban landscapes, monuments, museums, are also “goods” that benefit specific communities. Moreover, they can be key elements for local development, helping to improve the community's quality of life. Yet, the relationship between sustainability, sustainable development and culture is highly debated and discussed. In fact, a universal understanding of culture in promoting sustainable development has not been reached yet. The so-called cultural turn in international aid and development (Labadi, 2019) gained momentum over the disillusionment of models based only on economic growth, in favour of a more central role of culture, people and human development. Numerous lobbying attempts have advocated for a central part of culture in the UN debate on sustainable development, such as the #culture2015goal, backed by ICOMOS and Culture Action Europe, among others. Nevertheless, neither the Millennium Development Goals (MDG 2000-2015) nor the more recent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs - 2015-2030) defined by the United Nations, directly pay tribute to a central role of culture and cultural heritage as pillars of Sustainable Development. This matter has led to an interesting debate and juxtaposed opinions. Some others have quite a different opinion (Wiktor-Mach, 2020), stating that the SDGs “represent a significant step forward with regard to the acknowledgment of the role of culture in development processes” (Culture2030Goal campaign, 2019, p.26). Indeed, at a European level, cultural heritage is widely recognised as an important driver for sustainable development (Helly & Galeazzi, 2016).

Given this lively debate, this special issue aims at further inquiring and debating the role of cultural initiatives in the face of the most modern perspectives on sustainable development. In this vein, the Special Issue seeks articles that address this complex and multifaceted topic. In particular, we encourage the submission of original articles that consider the following, but not exclusively:

How cultural heritage valorization practices are related to sustainable goals and sustainable development;
The relation between people and cultural heritage, especially citizens’ well-being, sense of belonging, identity, and cultural memory, and its implications in terms of sustainable development;
Analysis of innovative and sustainable managerial practices of cultural initiatives and organisations and the economic impact of cultural interventions;
Theorizing of the sustainability side of how communities, organisations or individuals interrelate with cultural heritage;
Reflections on how environmental impacts are related to cultural heritage valorization, via for example tourism;
The impact of digital technologies on cultural heritage management and valorization.

Prof. Lucia Marchegiani
Prof. Enrico Cori
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainable cultural heritage management
cultural ecosystems
inclusion
participation
regeneration
cultural entrepreneurship

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 13705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heritage and Sustainability: Regulating Participation

by Ilaria Rosetti, Clara Bertrand Cabral, Ana Pereira Roders, Marc Jacobs and Rosana Albuquerque

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1674; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14031674 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4581

Abstract

In the past three decades, there has been increasing research carried out on the role of heritage and its processes in achieving broader sustainable development objectives beyond heritage conservation. As part of this movement, people-centered approaches and participation have been widely integrated into international regulations and guidelines on heritage management, stimulating the implementation of case studies-based research worldwide. Despite the wide advocacy of participatory heritage practices’ contributions to more inclusive and culturally sensitive local development in a great variety of projects, there is limited research into the roles these practices can have in addressing sustainability objectives. How are these roles addressed in international heritage regulatory frameworks, and what forms of participation are promoted for their fulfillment? This paper seeks to answer this research question through a content analysis of international declarations, conventions, guidelines, and policy documents focused on the roles and forms of participation that are promoted. A crossed-matched analysis of results reveals that active forms of participation are those most used to promote all roles and subcategories of participation, as a right, as a driver, and as an enabler of sustainable development. However, fewer active forms are presented as complementary at different stages of sustainability-oriented heritage practices. Moreover, a higher incidence of generic forms of participation can be observed in documents addressing international stakeholders, while partnership and intervention are to be found in those targeting regional and local actors. Nevertheless, the low incidence of decisional forms of participation confirms the challenges of power-sharing at all scales. Trends and influences are highlighted, informing heritage research, governance, and policymaking, but also revealing gaps and ambiguities in current regulations that further research encompassing a larger number of documents might confirm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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20 pages, 5458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Financing Sustainability in the Arts Sector: The Case of the Art Bonus Public Crowdfunding Campaign in Italy

by Chiara Carolina Donelli, Isabella Mozzoni, Francesco Badia and Simone Fanelli

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1641; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14031641 - 30 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3657

Abstract

This paper addresses the conditions that can facilitate the long-term effectiveness of civic crowdfunding fundraising strategies. While previous studies have provided a broad picture of the possible conditions for fostering effective fundraising strategies, most have considered the implications of fundraising only for management or only for cultural policy, neglecting an integrated approach that contemplates the needs of both. Thus, this work integrates cultural management and cultural policy perspectives by discussing a specific exploratory case study: Art Bonus, a cultural patronage tax incentive strategy introduced by the Italian government in 2014, which also includes civic crowdfunding features. To the best of our knowledge, Art Bonus is the first national civic crowdfunding platform supported by a national government. As an innovative and unique platform, its analysis is particularly relevant. This work analyzes the system’s functioning and the results obtained in its first years of operation (2014–2016) by accessing the public database relating to the donations transited through the platform. While the initiative effectively channeled more fundraising resources into the cultural sector, the results also illustrate potential points for improving such a system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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17 pages, 5364 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Heritage Given: Cultural Landscape and Heritage of the Vistula Delta Mennonites as Perceived by the Contemporary Residents of the Region

by Klaudia Nowicka

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 915; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14020915 - 14 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1789

Abstract

All tangible and intangible elements of cultural heritage that the past has conceded to local communities create unique landscapes shaped by tightly connected anthropogenic and natural factors. This heritage is a keystone of local identity which plays a significant role in politics, economic development, society and world view. In some regions, such as in the Vistula delta in Poland, the cultural heritage has been created by consecutive groups of settlers who represented different values, beliefs and ways of life. On the one hand, such a rich heritage may be perceived as a valuable asset and become a landmark or tourism product of a region. On the other hand, it may be perceived as alien and unwanted by contemporary residents, especially when they are not descendants of the former communities. The main objective of the study presented herein is to analyse how the residents of the Vistula delta region, called Żuławy Wiślane, perceive and use cultural heritage of the Mennonites, representing the most extraordinary group of settlers who used to live in the region. The analysis covers original data gathered during survey research in the period of 2017–2018 under the project Miniatura I “Perception and usage of cultural heritage of the Vistula delta Mennonites” financed by the National Science Centre in Poland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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15 pages, 1635 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Conceptual Framework for Heritage Impact Assessment: A Review and Perspective

by Baharak Ashrafi, Carola Neugebauer and Michael Kloos

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 27; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14010027 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6991

Abstract

Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) has recently emerged as a conflict-solving tool to improve World Heritage (WH) conservation in line with sustainable development policies. The increasing number of requested HIAs for affected WH properties over the last years reveals that more attention is being paid to HIA as a practical tool to adequately support the protection and management of historic monuments and sites against new constructions and development. However, the application of integrated and systematic impact assessment methods within HIA still remains a key challenge in different HIA projects. Therefore, this paper contributes to the further development of a transparent and systematic procedure of HIA in accordance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). It also explores different standard methods of impact assessment in EIA and discusses their applicability to cultural World Heritage properties. Finally, the paper emphasizes a need for developing integrated impact assessment methods to address the multiple impacts of development projects. Such methodological enhancement can further contribute to mitigation strategies and decision-making to protect World Heritage properties within the context of sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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20 pages, 1559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Local Community Satisfaction toward Tourism Development in Pushkar Region of Rajasthan, India

by Sunil Tiwari, Natalia Tomczewska-Popowycz, Shiv Kumar Gupta and Magdalena Petronella Swart

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13468; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132313468 - 06 Dec 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3690

Abstract

Satisfaction of local residents is one of the key factors in responsible and sustainable tourism development. It helps tourism planners and policymakers in effective and strategic utilization of tourism resources. The present study investigates local residents’ satisfaction level toward sustainable tourism development through economic, socio-cultural, and environmental development. In order to achieve the goal of the study, one-sample t-test, regression analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were performed. The findings of the study have suggested that local residents have a different level of satisfaction towards overall sustainable development and economic, socio-cultural, and environmental development in the study area. It was also observed that there is a high positive correlation among economic, socio-cultural, and environmental developments, and these developments significantly impact sustainable tourism development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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18 pages, 3543 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Public Works Heritage 3D Model Digitisation, Optimisation and Dissemination with Free and Open-Source Software and Platforms and Low-Cost Tools

by Sara Peinado-Santana, Patricia Hernández-Lamas, Jorge Bernabéu-Larena, Beatriz Cabau-Anchuelo and José Antonio Martín-Caro

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13020; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132313020 - 24 Nov 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2284

Abstract

This paper describes an innovative, accessible, and sustainable method for enhancing cultural heritage. Documenting and disseminating the public works heritage have now come of age, digitally speaking, with the adoption of new technologies both to further research on and heighten the esteem attributed to the public works heritage. Nonetheless, academic discourse rarely describes procedures for the 3D digitisation of heritage works comprehensible to non-expert readers with limited resources. Taking that premise as a starting point, with special attention to the determinants of the public works heritage, this article aims to define the general, open-source methodology covering 3D model data capture, information processing and optimisation. The article also discusses model dissemination strategies using free platforms and low-cost tools. The general discussion is illustrated with the case study of Ariza Bridge in Spain. This Renaissance-style structure dates from the second half of the sixteenth century. Despite its listing as a cultural heritage asset, the monument was flooded by the Giribaile reservoir waters in 1998 and is now only wholly visible during droughts. The application, developed with open-source software and implemented with free platforms and low-cost tools, features geo-referencing and is designed to be accessible to non-expert users. The methodology proposed is intended as a suitable instrument for the sustainable study, valorisation and dissemination of the built heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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17 pages, 557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spread the Voice! Digital Social Platforms as Conveyors of Innovation of Cultural Heritage in Europe

by Mauro Baioni, Federico Ceschel, Paola Demartini, Lucia Marchegiani, Michela Marchiori and Flavia Marucci

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12455; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132212455 - 11 Nov 2021

Viewed by 1385

Abstract

Digital social platforms (DSPs) are increasingly used to boost participation while giving a space for collaboration to wider audiences and marginalized groups of stakeholders. Considering that in the cultural heritage (CH) sector they are used as a possible booster of stakeholders’ participation and to foster innovation in practices related to CH management, the object of this study is to assess the stakeholder engagement strategies adopted by DSPs for CH from a network engagement perspective. The study takes stock of the main DSPs for CH in Europe and analyzes them through four key dimensions that distinguish different stakeholder engagement strategies (diffusion, accessibility, interactivity, and influence) to identify the alternative approaches to sustainable development based on social innovations adopted via these platforms. Following an exploratory approach, the research also delves into a specific case study (SoPHIA DSP), to deepen the understanding of if and how DSPs foster knowledge sharing among the different actors involved in a cultural project. Ultimately, this research provides a snapshot of the state of the arts on the literature and practices on DSPs, and outlines directions for future research, requesting for a longitudinal perspective to the framework and a vertical focus for consolidating the engagement strategies variables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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15 pages, 611 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cultural Heritage as a Pathway to Sustainable Development in Cyprus: The Case of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage

by Olga Goryunova and Qiaowei Wei

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 11929; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132111929 - 28 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1955

Abstract

This work studied the efforts of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in Cyprus to explore how effectively the TCCH applies diplomatic relation-building efforts towards cultural heritage management and how this can be used to construct a bridge to a process of sustainable development of social relations and heritage use in Cyprus. The Committee’s efforts demonstrate community heritage diplomacy and civil heritage diplomacy, employed by the two largest communities of the island as they attempt to build relations with each other and other minor communities across the border via various heritage practices, and public heritage diplomacy, which is employed by the authorities of each side via the Committee to influence the public of the other side. The Committee employs these forms of heritage diplomacy via a language of cooperation and by bridging gaps in and crossing borders for collaboration, so as to transfer knowledge, values, and experience, and to build trust with institutions and communities. The significance of the study lies in illustrating that the technical and collaborative successes of the Committee via application of the determined types of diplomacy may be successfully applied for a sustainable approach to build relations and confidence under ideologically and politically strained circumstances in Cyprus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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14 pages, 1996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Sustainability Effectiveness of Traditional Arts and Crafts Using Supply–Demand and Ordered Logistic Regression Techniques in Taiyuan, China

by Bo Zhu, Si-Qi Tian and Chien-Chih Wang

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 11725; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132111725 - 23 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2339

Abstract

The progression of time and shifts in the environment have brought significant changes to traditional arts and crafts of intangible cultural heritage. Consequently, enhancing and objectively assessing the sustainable value of traditional arts and crafts has assumed importance in developing tourism strategies. In China, few scholars have studied policy matching of traditional arts and crafts and intangible cultural heritage. The purpose of this paper is to propose supply–demand models and ordered logistical regression techniques to evaluate the quantitative efficacy of sustainability policies in traditional arts and crafts. The present study focuses on Taiyuan city; empirical study, analysis and results from assessing and analyzing policy measures show that building platforms, organizing exchanges, and hosting competitions and awards are fundamental strategies. The analysis of the efficacy of policy measures shows a positive correlation between price and the quality of arts and crafts products. For every 1% increase in the policy measure, the odds ratio of a sequential price increase is 1.04 times the original value, and the odds ratio of a sequential improvement in the manufacturing of arts and crafts is 1.06 times the original. The research results can be used as a reference to formulate accurate implementation of policies by the relevant departments, thereby accelerating the sustainability of traditional arts and crafts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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20 pages, 993 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Predicting Individuals’ Behavioural Intentions for Choosing Cultural Tourism: A Structural Model

by Silvia Platania, Kyle Maurice Woosnam and Manuel Alector Ribeiro

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10347; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su131810347 - 16 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2667

Abstract

Drawing from the theory of self-regulation and a model of goal-directed behaviour, this study examines the determinants (i.e., attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, desire, negative WOM coping strategies, and avoidance coping strategies) of visitors’ intentions to engage in cultural tourism within Sicily. Based on a sample of 469 visitors, the results revealed that 12 of the 14 proposed hypothesised direct effects were significant in explaining behavioural intentions to choose a cultural holiday. As for indirect effects, negative WOM coping strategies served as a more salient mediator in the model, as opposed to avoidance coping strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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21 pages, 2402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Public Participation to Co-Creation in the Cultural Heritage Management Decision-Making Process

by Olgica Grcheva and Beser Oktay Vehbi

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9321; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13169321 - 19 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3547

Abstract

According to the ongoing discussions of researchers, practitioners, and international legislation, the prioritization of top-down decision-making processes in public participation is questionable due to their ambiguous outcomes in various contexts associated with the management of cultural heritage. The main aim of this paper is to highlight and identify co-creation as a sustainable and significant bottom-up methodology that has a wide range of applications, especially in the domain of Cultural Heritage Management (CHM). It is presented as an alternative to the already existing, less democratic, and passive public participation decision-making processes. Examining the evolution of the terms and the processes, together with the common aspects and differences between public participation and co-creation is another goal of this paper. Based on these aims and goals, after conducting case study analyses in various contexts and comprehensive theoretical reviews of the international charters and ongoing practices associated with both key terms, “public participation” and “co-creation”, this paper introduces results that have the potential to solve the existing problems in public participation models and frameworks and successfully integrate communities into the CHM decision-making process through the implementation of the co-creation methodology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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24 pages, 5325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Construction of Placeness in Traditional Handicraft Heritage Sites: A Case Study of Suzhou Embroidery

by Xiyue Zhang, Yajuan Li, Jing Lin and Yanjun Ye

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9176; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13169176 - 16 Aug 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4268

Abstract

Traditional handicrafts are rooted in the idea of the place, and their revival can trigger a construction of place in terms of physical buildings and cultural ambience. This study focuses on traditional Suzhou embroidery and analyses the effect of its revival on the construction of placeness and sustainable development within its specific social context. The results showed that (1) reviving traditional handicrafts triggers changes to local public spaces, the reshaping of local architecture, and the development of a cultural landscape; (2) The revival of the handicraft in terms of local activities is reflected in increased efficiency and creativity and in the stable inheritance of skills. The traditional farming lifestyle of Zhenhu has been transformed, leading to better quality of life and social networks; (3) The revival of Suzhou embroidery has updated the place through renovating its image. The local residents’ awareness of the benefits of their handicrafts has also increased, and their increased dependence on place will strengthen their belongingness and attachment to it. These local changes exert positive impact on the realization of sustainable goals by boosting decent work and economic growth, ensuring environmental sustainability, building sustainable cities and communities, and enhancing community stability and cultural diversity. Thus, the revival of handicrafts can guide a place to refocus on local economic growth and cultural development towards sustainable development, bringing about an organic inheritance of its history and the reinforcement of placeness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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21 pages, 4372 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reflections on Local Community Identity by Evaluating Heritage Sustainability Protection in Jugra, Selangor, Malaysia

by Zainab Binti Roslan, Zuliskandar Ramli, Muhammad Rizal Razman, M. R. M. Asyraf, M. R. Ishak, R. A. Ilyas and N. M. Nurazzi

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8705; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13168705 - 04 Aug 2021

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 3682

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the value derived by the local community from cultural heritage and natural heritage in Jugra, Kuala Langat, as it has the potential to be a recognized heritage tourism site. The quantitative approach was used by conducting a survey study. A total of 392 respondents among the local community were selected through a purposive sampling technique. The collected data were processed with SPSS software and analyzed using cross tabulation analysis. Then, several hypotheses were tested using AMOS software. The result showed that Jugra’s unique heritage elements positively influenced the respondent’s willingness to accept and fund its tourism development. Socioeconomic factors also influenced the respondents’ disposition to preserve heritage. The findings revealed that there was priceless value when respondents agreed with the development, although they had never visited the heritage sites. Their physical, economic, and social valuation made them proud of the heritage, as it is a reflection of their identity. This study also aims to emphasize the role of local community as one of the stakeholders, as they should also be able to benefit from tourism development. All these would help boost the tourism industry, particularly through the archaeo-tourism and eco-tourism perspectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development)

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