Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
2.2
1.4
Journals
Architecture
Special Issues
Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice
share announcement

Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice

A special issue of Architecture (ISSN 2673-8945).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2026) | Viewed by 8759

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Marta García-Casasola

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architectural History, Theory and Composition, Higher Technical School of Architecture, University of Seville, 41012 Seville, Spain
Interests: heritage; history; architecture; theory
Prof. Dr. Blanca Del Espino Hidalgo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Urban and Land Planning, Higher Technical School of Architecture, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
Interests: heritage; sustainability; urbanism; territory; participation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The evolution of the concept of heritage, including its complexity and environments, requires the updating of the associated cultural values that, in the case of many World Heritage declarations, should complete the stated outstanding universal values. This task, as the Faro Convention pointed out, must be carried out with communities, implementing participatory strategies. This makes it difficult to embrace sustainable conservation practices and, particularly, Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) in change management situations.

HIAs, which comply with the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, should serve to identify development alternatives, as well as potentially positive and negative impacts, and to recommend mitigation measures against degradation. They are therefore appropriate in terms of improving change management processes by facilitating dialogue among all stakeholders.

This Special Issue aims to identify, from theoretical implementation frameworks, sustainable conservation policies based on the actualisation of sustainable values for heritage assets from a social perspective. Although this proposal is framed within the WHATS-UP research project (‘World Heritage: an Approach To Social sustainability while UPgrading cultural values’), we welcome contributions that address the abovementioned issues in cultural heritage properties of any other kind, such as industrial heritage, modern heritage, monumental heritage, archaeological heritage, or rural heritage, among other possibilities.

The discussions in this Special Issue will focus on (but are not limited to) the following thematic areas:

  • The evolution of the heritage concept and the implementation of the international charters and texts of reference in the field
  • From theory to practice: intervention criteria and project decisions to better understand and conserve heritage
  • Documentary procedures to better manage heritage: archives, databases, information systems, BIM, SIG, etc.
  • Sustainable heritage management based on values
  • The identification of cultural values and attributes
  • Heritage Impact Assessments in World Heritage
  • Good practices in heritage conservation and management
  • Monitoring and quality control of processes for heritage conservation
  • Collaborative methodologies in identifying, managing, protecting, and conserving heritage assets
  • The contribution of contemporary architecture to heritage co-creation

Prof. Dr. Marta García-Casasola
Prof. Dr. Blanca Del Espino Hidalgo
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Architecture is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1200 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

  • cultural values
  • heritage impact assessments
  • heritage intervention
  • contemporary architecture
  • good practices
  • conservation
  • heritage management
  • cultural sustainability
  • social sustainability
  • sustainable management
  • world heritage

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

22 pages, 61590 KB  
Article
World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage in Urban Contexts: Participatory Approaches to Addressing the Impact of Tourism
by Lourdes Royo Naranjo, Gema Carrera Díaz, Aniceto Delgado Méndez and Virginia Rodríguez Díaz
Architecture 2026, 6(2), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6020073 - 11 May 2026
Viewed by 468
Abstract
This research addresses the latent disconnect between citizens and World Heritage sites, analysing how intensive tourism and declarations focused on monuments (1980s–1990s) have created a distance that makes managing these heritage sites very difficult. The main objective is to propose and validate participatory [...] Read more.
This research addresses the latent disconnect between citizens and World Heritage sites, analysing how intensive tourism and declarations focused on monuments (1980s–1990s) have created a distance that makes managing these heritage sites very difficult. The main objective is to propose and validate participatory methodologies that restore social bonds and strengthen urban governance. The identified knowledge gap lies in the lack of operational tools that allow the theory of participation to be put into actual practice, overcoming the current methodological void in assessing social and economic impacts. Under the methodology of the WHATS-UP project, an action-research approach is employed that combines ethnographic work, mapping of key actors, and participatory workshops with shared walking tours in the Alhambra and the Alcázar. This data is integrated into Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) to map social perceptions of values and risks. The results show that, although tourism has led to alienation and gentrification, the participatory process succeeds in rescuing “invisible values”, such as memories and traditional trades, that are absent from official narratives. In conclusion, the study proposes a consensus-based co-management model between institutions and the community, transforming heritage into a resource for urban cohesion and resilience. This integration of methodologies, which combines collective mapping with safeguarding plans, enables progress toward protection strategies that are more effective and better reflect contemporary social realities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 8226 KB  
Article
Water System Approach and Natural–Cultural Capital in World Heritage Under Climate Stress: The Royal Alcázar in Seville and the Alhambra in Granada, Spain
by Celia López-Bravo, Blanca del Espino Hidalgo, Aliza Sovani and Valentina Galiulo
Architecture 2026, 6(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6010029 - 13 Feb 2026
Viewed by 991
Abstract
Many World Heritage Sites hold universal and exceptional values of a hybrid nature, combining cultural and environmental richness. Yet these complex dimensions are rarely recognised within their designation criteria, making it urgent to update their cultural valuation through the lens of social and [...] Read more.
Many World Heritage Sites hold universal and exceptional values of a hybrid nature, combining cultural and environmental richness. Yet these complex dimensions are rarely recognised within their designation criteria, making it urgent to update their cultural valuation through the lens of social and environmental sustainability. In this context, water—as both a natural and a cultural asset—emerges as a fundamental element for understanding their natural–cultural capital. This study examines two World Heritage Sites in southern Spain—the Royal Alcázar of Seville and the Alhambra of Granada—which are particularly representative at the European scale due to their severe climatic conditions. The methodology is based on the analysis and mapping of their landscape conditions using historical cartography and Geographic Information Systems, together with a review of water-related attributes and values across their protection and management frameworks. As a result, their water systems are critically assessed within existing protection and management documents, a narrative approach to water as natural-cultural capital is proposed, and this approach is linked to the sites’ principal climate-related vulnerabilities and benefits. Overall, the study contributes to the international debate on biocultural heritage, supporting the need to update the water system approach applied to World Heritage Sites under conditions of climate stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 786 KB  
Article
The Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscape for Conserving Latin American and Caribbean Cities: Scope, Comprehension and Implementation
by Sebastián Astudillo-Cordero, Julia Rey-Pérez, Jessica Ortiz-Fernández, Elena Jerves-Hermida and Maria Eugenia Siguencia
Architecture 2026, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6010005 - 6 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1131
Abstract
This study presents the first systematic regional assessment of how the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach has been understood and applied in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) cities between 2011 and 2022. The HUL approach is framed as a socio-spatial perspective shaped by [...] Read more.
This study presents the first systematic regional assessment of how the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach has been understood and applied in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) cities between 2011 and 2022. The HUL approach is framed as a socio-spatial perspective shaped by historical layering, cultural practices, ecological structures, and contemporary development pressures. A systematic review of academic publications and institutional gray literature (Scopus, Google Scholar, and municipal repositories) was conducted to evaluate both conceptual understanding and methodological implementation aligned with the six steps of the 2011 HUL Recommendation. Findings reveal a clear implementation gap: although awareness of the HUL approach has increased across the region, its practical application remains partial. Steps 1 and 2 focused on value identification and participatory engagement show the highest adoption, while steps 4 and 6 which require interinstitutional coordination and integration into statutory planning instruments exhibit limited progress. Academic and research institutions play a more prominent role than local governments in leading or supporting HUL-related actions, indicating persistent institutional and governance constraints. Results highlight the need to strengthen municipal capacities, integrate HUL-based diagnostics into urban planning systems, and consolidate participatory, interdisciplinary, and multilevel governance mechanisms to close the gap between conceptual uptake and operational implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2668 KB  
Article
The Enhanced Heritage Value Index (EHVI): A UNESCO-Aligned Framework for Sustainable Assessment and Prioritization of Egypt’s Heritage Villages
by Mohammed M. Gomaa, Saleh Algethami, Omar Ibrahim Hussein, Ahmed Mohamed Abdo and Emad Mohamed Hassanein
Architecture 2025, 5(4), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture5040130 - 12 Dec 2025
Viewed by 986
Abstract
Egypt’s heritage villages are living cultural landscapes that remain largely undocumented and insufficiently protected under current national frameworks. This study develops the Enhanced Heritage Value Index (EHVI) a UNESCO-aligned framework designed to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the conservation readiness of heritage villages in [...] Read more.
Egypt’s heritage villages are living cultural landscapes that remain largely undocumented and insufficiently protected under current national frameworks. This study develops the Enhanced Heritage Value Index (EHVI) a UNESCO-aligned framework designed to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the conservation readiness of heritage villages in Egypt. EHVI was developed through a mixed-method approach integrating conceptual analysis of UNESCO and ICOMOS standards, expert-based weighting of 31 validated heritage indicators, and community perception surveys conducted across seven villages in Luxor Governorate. The EHVI provides a scalable and replicable assessment tool that classifies villages into high, moderate, and low readiness levels, enabling decision-makers to prioritize conservation interventions. As Egypt’s first composite index tailored to rural heritage contexts, this framework bridges national policy needs with international heritage criteria and offers a strategic foundation for future UNESCO nominations and sustainable heritage management. This research fills a critical theoretical and practical gap by operationalizing the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) paradigm in a rural Egyptian context, thereby advancing heritage assessment methodologies beyond urban-centered models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

53 pages, 21078 KB  
Article
The Architectural Documentation of British Colonial Prefabricated Wooden Heritage: A Case Study of a Nigerian National Monument
by Obafemi A. P. Olukoya, Oluwaseun Olukoya and Rahina Garba Haruna
Architecture 2025, 5(4), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture5040113 - 14 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2355
Abstract
The British colonial contact with Nigeria was dotted with diverse paradoxes. In the realm of architecture, it was a period punctuated with the importation of prefabricated buildings into many slave and palm oil trading towns, such as Old Calabar in southern Nigeria. Unfortunately, [...] Read more.
The British colonial contact with Nigeria was dotted with diverse paradoxes. In the realm of architecture, it was a period punctuated with the importation of prefabricated buildings into many slave and palm oil trading towns, such as Old Calabar in southern Nigeria. Unfortunately, today, many of these prefabricated colonial architectural heritages have gone into extinction, except for a few which are also on the verge of collapse. One of the remaining few on the verge of collapse is the Egbo Egbo Bassey House built between 1883 and 1886 and declared a National Monument of Nigeria in 1959. Currently, there is no literature on the historical and architectural data of this building, besides those scattered over several files in archival records. Therefore, this paper aims at the holistic documentation of the National Monument. Two categories of data were considered in the documentation processes—namely the building historical data and geometrical data. Historical data were collected through archival research and interviews, while the geometrical data were collected through close-range photogrammetry and manual measurements. The result of this paper contributes to the current geographical dearth of literature on British prefabricated architectural heritage, which punctuated a very important period in the architectural history of the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

54 pages, 7678 KB  
Review
The Notion of Value in the Global Academic Discourse: Identification and Representation in the Main Approaches to Cultural Heritage Preservation
by Jelena Šćekić, Marko Nikolić and Aleksandra Milovanović
Architecture 2026, 6(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6010020 - 1 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1260
Abstract
This study examines how the notion of value is defined, recognised, and operationalised within the four main approaches to cultural heritage preservation: the material-based, value-based, living heritage, and historic urban landscape approaches. Positioned within the broader discourse on the evolving understanding of cultural [...] Read more.
This study examines how the notion of value is defined, recognised, and operationalised within the four main approaches to cultural heritage preservation: the material-based, value-based, living heritage, and historic urban landscape approaches. Positioned within the broader discourse on the evolving understanding of cultural heritage—from fixed, expert-driven interpretations toward more contextual, socially constructed, and participatory perspectives—this research aims to address which value types are recognised, and how and to what extent they are operationalised by applying four main approaches to cultural heritage preservation. The methodology comprises four phases: (1) the identification, search, and selection of academic articles in the Scopus database, (2) sample overlapping and elimination of duplicates to establish a final dataset, (3) bibliometric analysis to determine publishing trends and disciplinary reach, and (4) content analysis to identify, classify, and compare value types across the selected approaches. The results reveal significant variation in how values are represented, as well as notable inconsistency in their direct inclusion in research processes. While cultural, historical, aesthetic, social, and economic values dominate across approaches, only a fraction of studies operationalise values through defined criteria or indicators. The findings highlight the absence of consensus in value interpretation and emphasise the need for more systematic, integrative, and operationalisable frameworks for treating values in the process of cultural heritage preservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop