Why Modern Society Should Maintain World Heritage Sites: An Evaluation

This essay evaluates the importance of maintaining World Heritage Sites in modern society, exploring their history, background, and different categories, as well as the selection and nomination processes managed by UNESCO. It highlights the cultural, historical, and scientific significance of these sites, emphasizing their role in preserving the past, fostering cultural identity, and driving economic growth through tourism. The essay also addresses the negative impacts of tourism, such as damage to the sites and cultural commodification, and offers recommendations to mitigate these effects through sustainable tourism policies and community engagement. Ultimately, it argues that preserving World Heritage Sites is crucial for protecting cultural heritage, promoting sustainable development, and strengthening the resilience of communities.

Evaluate the argument
that it is important for
modern society to
maintain World
Heritage Sites

Table of Contents
Evaluate the argument that it is important for modern society to maintain World Heritage
Sites by using a variety of research materials..............................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

Evaluate the argument that it is important for modern society to maintain World
Heritage Sites by using a variety of research materials.
World Heritage Sites, term says it all, basically it is a natural or man-made sites which
has been developed by the government to attract more visitors. In other words, it is properties or
structures which are recognized as being of international importance which are legally protected
by an international convention administrated by UNESCO. There are many different types of
sites developed and taken care by UNESCO for having cultural, historical or scientific
significance and also attract visitors. These are unique landmark that are geographically and
historically identifiable and has special culture. The major aim of the essay is to evaluate the
importance of maintaining world heritage sites and its importance in the world of modernization.
The essay will cover the history, background and different types of World heritage sites along
with a brief about how the idea of Heritage sites started, its systems and process of creation. In
addition, it will also provide highlight about selection and nomination of these natural and man-
made sites. Further, it will highlight the importance of these sites and advantages of a place being
declared as heritage sites. The essay will also cover the impact of these sites in tourism industry
and recommendations to minimize negative outcome of tourism in these sites.
The concept of World heritage was introduced after the conclusion of second world war
when Ramses II temple at Abu Simbel one of the most unique cultural monument was threatened
by destruction during the construction of Aswan Dam in Egypt (Migoń, 2018). UNESCO
launched the international campaign in order to save the beautiful sites and monument and also
discussed the need for global convention in order to protect the socio-cultural and natural
heritage sites of the world. The World Heritage Convention was adopted UNESCO which is an
international agreement established to protect World Heritage Sites. There are certain places on

Earth that are of Outstanding Universal value and these places should form part of common
heritage of human kind. Heritage sites are of three types: cultural, natural and mixed. Cultural
sites are those associated with man made things and which where found during different phases
of human civilization. These include important historical buildings and towns, archaeological
sites and monumental sculptures and paintings. Cultural sites can be split into two groups of
tangible and intangible heritage (Types of heritage sites. 2022). Natural sites are gift of nature
which are globally recognized as the most protected areas on Earth. Basically, these natural sites
are very well furnishing and in an outstanding way.
UNESCO has set a selection and nomination criteria for World heritage sites. Countries
who have signed the World heritage convention pledge submit long list of properties that creates
outstanding universal value for nomination in heritage list. The list prepared by country is known
as tentative list and along with this all necessary documents and maps are also submitted to
UNESCO. These list of properties are forwarded to advisory bodies for evaluation and these
bodies provide advice of experts and perform effective training programs and activities relating
to it for conversion of these sites. After this, it is compulsory to meet at least 1 out of 10
selection criteria which is laid out by Operation Guidelines for the Implementation of the World
Heritage Convention then those sites are included and mentioned as top listed properties by
World heritage committee, this is how the whole procedure takes place. (Process of creation,
selection and nomination of heritage sites. 2022). Selection criteria for cultural sites are the
property must represent masterpiece which has been created by humans, must exhibit important
interchange of human values, must carry good testimony to cultural and traditional civilization,
must be outstanding example of type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or
landscape, must be good example of traditional human settlement, sea use or land use and must
be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions. Criteria for natural sites are the
property must have natural phenomena, must be outstanding example of major stages of earth's
history, must be good example of ecological and biological processes and must have significant
natural habitats.
The heritage sites needs to be preserved as it the way to know past. The restoration
preserves the identity roots of people and their communities. Historical Buildings were build
with higher quality of materials and wood which may not exist now this gives them an intrinsic
value. The benefit of prevention is to incorporate a nation's cultural wealth and also gives

educational, environmental and economic advantages (Dastgerdi and De Luca, 2018). The
preservation of historical buildings and sites enriches the cultural value of communities. This is a
great social investment that educates about the local heritage and increases knowledge of past.
This gives a concrete presence of past era and connect them to their ancestors through physical
entities. These buildings and landmarks are witnesses of mankind's development revolutionary
changes that took place over the years. These historical buildings keep community vibrant,
beautiful and liveable. This attracts tourist and helps in economic growth of country. An
attractive heritage benefits in attracting external investments. In addition to this, restructuring
and reusing of heritage buildings, other historic properties is an important as well as crucial
factors for creating sustainable communities in the world of heritage. World heritage properties
harbour options for society in order to mitigate and also adapt to activities such as climate
changes and environmental factors through ecosystem benefits. Any form of restoration is
environmental friendly as there is no wastage of material. With historic preservation one can
return a structure into its original form which would increase its value.
Cultural and natural heritages sites are not only an irreplaceable source of identity and
inspiration but also an important source for sustainable development. Heritage sites in the world
have the efficient capability and ability to make great contributions to an area's livelihood and its
identity. Heritage conservation projects often gives social benefits and support through which
involvement of community can be seen and raising the community's awareness of its heritage is
also taken into consideration. Heritage is one of the most expanding tourism segments and
tourism has the potential to contribute directly and indirectly in the economic growth. Tourism
provides job opportunities which will increase employment in that area. This has given
infrastructural development of that area have benefited local community (Landorf, 2019).
Tourism has provided financial support for conservation of world heritage making them more
authentic. World heritage sites have increased the population of that area in which it is situated
that has helped to bring economic benefits. Once the sites are declared as world heritage sites
then they become protected under Geneva convention against destruction during war. These sites
have increased community pride and awareness in heritage, reintroduced individuals to their
cultural roots and have increased the interest in history and culture.
Though there are many benefits of World heritage sites but there are some adverse
impacts too. These sites have become tourist places and attracts many visitors this would affect

the safety of these sites especially if there is no proper infrastructure at sites. The biggest tourist
attractions in the world are ancient, historical sites and buildings that were built centuries ago.
The large number of tourist in these places give lot of strain on the structure and cause
irreparable damages. Tourism will increase popularity of that place which would increase land
prices (Alexandrakis, Manasakis and Kampanis, 2019). There may be outflow of profit from
company if there is large number of foreign investment. Although tourism gives job
opportunities but most jobs are low level jobs with low income and these are generally seasonal
jobs. There will be over exploitation of cultural and natural resources due to which there may be
loss of cultural identity. Tourism has turned culture into commodity as people pay to see
traditional culture that has raised complicated ethical issues. Growth in tourism may increase
social problems like traffic, health problem, etc (Adie, Falk and Savioli, 2020). Tourism has
erased traditional culture of some areas as locals observe behaviour of locals and try to adopt the
culture of tourists. Over tourism have also impacted natural heritage sites as they have caused
many problems like deforestation, exploitation, pollution, etc which are destructing whole
ecosystem.
Tourism has negative as well as positive impact on world heritage sites. There are many
ways through which the negative impacts on world heritage sites can be minimized. As we all
know that Cultural tourism should not limit to some extent such as only historical properties,
buildings, monuments it should also involves intangible heritage sites as well. As over tourism is
causes irreparable damages so there is a need to promote seasonal tourism. Along with this, they
must Ensure to give knowledge about the benefits and prons of tourism to local communities by
encouraging and motivating communication between the local government and communities. In
order to develop sites life, Infrastructure needs to be increased to reduce traffic so that it can help
public while they travel and enjoy sites. Plus, various Campaigns should be established and well
managed in order to spread public awareness regarding the major negative and positive impacts
of tourism at world heritage properties and surrounding areas (Buckley, 2018). Creative and
effective policies need to be made by the government in order to promote tourism and give life to
the city by respecting their beliefs, traditions and culture. Policies need to be made to protect
environmental destructions that are impacting ecosystem. Input of excess heat and light impact
the ecosystem so people should avoid travelling through planes as it releases carbon and lot of

heats. People should try taking non-stop flights which would reduce planes carbon emission and
also save fuel.
The identity of nation, region or community lies in its past i.e. historical and cultural
heritage. Natural heritage sites provide habitats to many species and protect rare and endangered
species. It would be hard to imagine a world without the presence of past and ecosystem. These
sites play a very important role in growth of economy of the region. It attracts numerous of
tourists which gives source of employment to the people of that area and helps in sustainable
growth of society. Though increase in tourism has a negative impact but this can be minimized
by implementation proper plans and policies. A well conserved natural and historical
environment which is based on tradition and culture strengthens the resilience of communities
and saves lives. It is important to preserve world heritage sites to protect the past, tradition and
culture of the community. These sites are source of identity and inspiration and also the source
for sustainable development of country, region or community.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Adie, B. A., Falk, M. and Savioli, M., 2020. Overtourism as a perceived threat to cultural
heritage in Europe. Current Issues in Tourism. 23(14). pp.1737-1741.
Alexandrakis, G., Manasakis, C. and Kampanis, N. A., 2019. Economic and societal impacts on
cultural heritage sites, resulting from natural effects and climate change. Heritage. 2(1).
pp.279-305.
Buckley, R., 2018. Tourism and natural World Heritage: A complicated relationship. Journal of
Travel Research. 57(5). pp.563-578.
Dastgerdi, A. S. and De Luca, G., 2018. Specifying the significance of historic sites in heritage
planning. Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage. 18. pp.29-39.
Landorf, C., 2019. Cultural value and sustainable development: a framework for assessing the
tourism potential of heritage places. In Feasible Management of Archaeological
Heritage Sites Open to Tourism (pp. 7-19). Springer, Cham.
Migoń, P., 2018. Geoheritage and world heritage sites. In Geoheritage (pp. 237-249). Elsevier.
Online
Process of creation, selection and nomination of heritage sites. 2022. [Online]. Available
through: <https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/expeditions/the-unesco-world-heritage-
site-selection-process/>
Types of heritage sites. 2022. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.britannica.com/place/Karnak>