Importance of World Heritage Sites in Modern Society

This essay discusses the cultural, social, and economic advantages of world heritage sites, as well as the negative impacts. It also emphasizes the importance of preserving and maintaining heritage sites for future generations.

Essay

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK ..............................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
World Heritage may be defined as a full range of inherited monuments, objects, culture and
tradition. It encompasses with various contemporary activities, behaviours and meanings which
we draw from them (Santa-Cruz and López-Guzmán, 2017). While on the other hand, heritage
sites may be referred as those places which are designated by UNESCO with a specific regards
with tradition and culture. It is considered as a valuable asset of nation which reflects culture,
tradition and custom of ancestor's which we individual have derived from them. It is important to
preserve and maintain heritage sites for future generation. This project essay is based on world
heritage sites and its importance in modern society. extensive knowledge as well as background
of heritage sites history. The aim of this essay is to argue about understanding of cultural, social
and economic advantage of world heritage sites. At last, it will depict negative impact in context
to world heritage sites.
TASK
MAIN BODY
World Heritage sites consist of varied monuments, historic buildings along with archaeological
sites. As the origin of world heritage sites is started by the appointment of UNESCO in order to
protect and conserve ancient sites. It is important to safeguard heritage sites as it contributes in
development of nation and raise living standard of country. World Heritage sites provides crucial
habitats with various iconic species along with protecting stunning landscapes and ecological
processes. According to (Chi, Cai and Li, 2017), prevention and conservation may be considered
as a vital component of urban revitalisation. The heritage tourism is rooted by monuments and
historic buildings. The acceptance of heritage buildings are increasingly accepted as it links new
generation with old generation. On successfully passed of convention with leads to incorporation
of a government body, UNESCO for the purpose of conserving and safeguarding of monumental
sites of ancient times. This practice of conserving world heritage sites laid down to
encouragement of local communities to conserve these sites by rendering tech support and
effective training to them. The concept of protecting and safeguarding of monumental sites have

been started by Egypt and Sudan so as to preserve for future generation. These monuments
reflect ancestor's tradition, culture, their way of living, skills and knowledge. There are various
examples of world heritage sites such as Taj Mahal and Tower of London and may other.
Examples of natural heritage sites are lake Baikal and Great Barrier Reef. Bath and Tower of
London are some types of Heritage sites. It is needed to have an outstanding universal value of a
place for adding in world heritage sites. As per (Torres and et.al.,, 2021), world heritage
committee may be referred as a working body which involve the guidelines in order to choose a
place for adding place in world heritage sites. These can be updated on a frequent basis by the
proper conventions signed by authority professionals. It is needed to make inventory for adding
place in world heritage sites of cultural and natural heritage sites. It is important to the officials
of country to add Heritage site in State party tentative list. State party can file their nomination
after successfully selection of heritage site in order to make well known place. Heritage sites
plays an important role as it contributes a large part of GDP along with creation of various
opportunities. It binds various business and help craftsman in earning livelihood. They are
completely dependent on tourism and visitors. World heritage committee helps state party in
process of documentation and formalities which includes maps and other essential
documentation. The nominated party is set evaluated by various advisory bodies according to
world heritage convention. After successful evaluation of property, intergovernmental world
heritage committee takes responsibility in making final decision for its inscription. The
committee member has right to defer decision and may ask for further information. For adding
place to add in world heritage site list, it is needed to one of ten criteria which is briefly
explained in convention.
As per (Canale and et.al., 2019),it is important to preserve and protect old monumental sites as it
reflects predecessors history, way of living, skills and knowledge and also helps in reflecting
history which provides necessary sources in tracking of evolution in context to civilisation. To
preserve heritage sites, it is not only responsibility of government or local authorities but also of
every citizen. It creates various employment opportunities in process of restoration. It also
enhances tax base by restoring areas and individual building. Human race is based on past
buildings and on present s well which enhances distinctiveness and character of a specific place
which gives an identity to place. By safeguarding heritage sites may be concerned to beneficial
to historic environment which enhances local communities as well as tourism activities in a well

structured manner. Reuse may be considered as important aspect in sustainability of historical
sites and monuments. It can be considered as a crucial educational resource for various people as
it contains valuable information of our predecessors.
As per analysed by (Kim, Oh, Lee and Lee, 2018), protecting and safeguarding of
historical sites is not an easy task but a complex procedure to be undertaken. As people are
avoiding their responsibilities but in order to encourage individuals, there are various steps taken
by government and local authorities in order to create a sense of responsibility towards
prestigious monuments. By preventing historical sites, it can lead to enhancement of civic beauty
of nation. There are various economic benefits of which encompasses with various commercial
practices which can be seen rapidly in increased tourism activities. It creates various
opportunities in context to revenue generation. Heritage sites creates employment opportunities
along with contributes a large part in enhancing economic growth of country. By using fund,
government can utilise in making better infrastructure. Along with economic benefits, there are
various cultural benefits too as it boosts tourism industry in an efficient manner. By this, many
people can gain knowledge about historic events as well as about various cultural practices. The
social benefit of world heritage site is that it involves knowledge to students in relation to
existence and non existence. Further, it also gives information about ancient history of ancestors
along with their living pattern. By safeguarding of world heritage sites, it helps in generation of
revenue by providing various opportunities of employment. Local resident can enhance their
lifestyle and elevate standard of living as it opens door for income generation to poor people. It
also answers to various facts in a strategic manner. There are various factors which caused
disruption in in operations of world heritage sites such as urbanisation, natural disaster,
calamities, pollution practices as well as unpredictable weather. It becomes complex to manage
monument sites as it involves various activities which are needed to be undertaken. It is
imperative for government to take necessary actions in order to safeguard historical sites in an
effective manner. Tourism can raise funds and can utilise in making infrastructure so as to attract
visitors. It becomes a threat for many business if these monuments cannot be safeguarded. Due
to various natural factors such as soil erosion, increased pollution can be found threat for tourism
industry. By various tourism activities, it makes local residents to aware about their thoughts and
opinions regarding heritage sites. It is important for world heritage committee to make people
aware and encourage them to preserve world heritage sites along with providing training and

technical assistance in an effective manner. It is being recommended to world heritage
committee to use tourism industry as to enhance awareness by conducting campaigns. Along
with tourism, the world heritage sites also considered as a source of earning livelihood and to
protect cultural practices for future generation. It contributes in economic development of nation
and it is needed to formulate effective strategies in order to enhance and promote world heritage
sites.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report, it was concluded that world heritage sites plays an important role
in promoting economic development. As these sites consist of valuable information which is
needed to be passed for future generation. It involves a long process in regards to adding place in
list of world heritage sites. To maintain and conserve monument sites, it becomes challenging for
government as there are various factors which negatively impacts on its operations. There are
various benefits in regards with natural, cultural and economics aspects. It is the duty of every
citizen to take preserve civic beauty of monuments and helps in generating many employment
opportunities in order to raise living standard.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Canale, R.R., De Simone, E., Di Maio, A. and Parenti, B., 2019. UNESCO World Heritage sites
and tourism attractiveness: The case of Italian provinces. Land use policy, 85, pp.114-120.
Chi, C.G.Q., Cai, R. and Li, Y., 2017. Factors influencing residents’ subjective well-being at
World Heritage Sites. Tourism Management, 63, pp.209-222.
Kaur, G., Singh, S., Ahuja, A. and Singh, N.D., 2020. Natural Stone and World Heritage. CRC
Press.
Kim, H., Oh, C.O., Lee, S. and Lee, S., 2018. Assessing the economic values of World Heritage
Sites and the effects of perceived authenticity on their values. International Journal of Tourism
Research, 20(1), pp.126-136.
Santa-Cruz, F.G. and López-Guzmán, T., 2017. Culture, tourism and world heritage
sites. Tourism Management Perspectives, 24, pp.111-116.
Torres-González, M., Prieto, A.J., Alejandre, F.J. and Blasco-López, F.J., 2021. Digital
management focused on the preventive maintenance of World Heritage Sites. Automation in
Construction, 129, p.103813.