World Heritage status and sustainable development: promises and realities of a title

Abstract eng:
Gaining World Heritage (WH) status inserts a historic site onto a global stage, providing a series of benefits such as access to international technical and financial resources, touristic promotion, and stimulus to the local economy. However, receiving this title may do more harm than good, as it upsets the delicate balance between promoting and preserving the historic place. Under political and economic pressure, the title may affect the local social dynamic and contribute to weakening cultural integrity and local identity, consequently undermining livelihoods. In Latin American contexts, this contradiction can be detrimental to local sustainability. Are people prepared to defend their heritage? How do local inhabitants and other involved parties perceive the WH status? What needs to be done to improve social participation aiming to reinforce identities, capacitating and empowering local communities so that they can better practice their role in the process of preservation? Addressing these questions is the purpose of this article.

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