The concept of sustainable development has already been embraced more than three decades ago since the publication of the Brundtland Report by World Commission on Environment and Development. This...Show moreThe concept of sustainable development has already been embraced more than three decades ago since the publication of the Brundtland Report by World Commission on Environment and Development. This report stated that development is not synonymous with economic growth alone, but also includes a social and environmental aspect. In 2015, the United Nations (UN) announced the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which has the purpose to eliminate poverty, fight inequality and justice, and to combat climate change. The state members of the UN have to adopt the SDGs agenda as a framework for their political policies and national development agenda until 2030. The SDGs agenda has also affected the heritage management, because heritage with its value of identity and as a repository of cultural, historical, and social memory forms a vital aspect of the development process. Cultural heritage tourism is one of the methods that can bridge cultural heritage to development. However, in many cases the benefits of cultural heritage tourism do not directly flow to the local communities who in fact are the core element of the SDGs and heritage management. Moreover, in developing countries like Indonesia, the local communities have been excluded from the heritage development planning. Heritage practitioners seems to be not familiar with the implementation of the sustainable development concept. However, the heritage tourism at the USAT Liberty site play an important role in the lives of the local people who live nearby, they even actively participate in the management of the site. Many scholars appreciate the local people’s attempts to protect the USAT Liberty site and to help create sustainable heritage tourism. The USAT Liberty provides valuable data on how cultural heritage can be successfully sustained. Thus, by using the USAT Liberty site as case study, this thesis aims to provide suggestion how to achieve sustainable cultural heritage tourism in accordance with the SDGs principles.Show less
The research problem of this thesis stems from the increasing trend of employing the abstract concepts of ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development’ in the management plans of World Heritage...Show moreThe research problem of this thesis stems from the increasing trend of employing the abstract concepts of ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development’ in the management plans of World Heritage Sites or archaeological cultural heritage management projects. To find out whether the use of these concept has actual implications, or they are just another “buzz word”. Therefore, the main research question of this thesis is: To what extent is a sustainable approach implemented in the management of the Bulgarian World Heritage Site – the Kazanlak Thracian tomb? To answer this question, the methodology uses three types of methods – direct observation, document analysis (World Heritage Site management plan), and semi-structured interviews with four stakeholders from both local and national level of the management system. As theoretical methodologies designed to analyse the social problem of ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development’ and its transmission into cultural heritage management plans is still underdeveloped. The criteria were refined based on issues raised in a review of literature on the subject and attempts to provide a practical approach that can easily move between data and theory. The aims of the thesis are threefold. The first aim is to contextualise the meaning of ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development’ within the context of World Heritage Site management. The second aim is to present a working methodology for conducting sustainability analysis while using qualitative data. The third aim is to apply the research methodology to the case of the Kazanlak Thracian tomb and evaluate its limitations. The triangulation of the results from the direct qualitative analysis challenges the strong emphasis that is positioned to the tangible aspects of the Kazanlak Thracian tomb. Therefore, the final discussion argues that the top-down approach and the highly hierarchical system are blocking the implementation of a sustainable approach in the management of the Kazanlak Thracian tomb.Show less
Concerns have been raised regarding the low level of public support for the Dutch Roman Limes, considering its upcoming UNESCO World Heritage nomination. With regard to this issue, this thesis set...Show moreConcerns have been raised regarding the low level of public support for the Dutch Roman Limes, considering its upcoming UNESCO World Heritage nomination. With regard to this issue, this thesis set out to gain insight into the role Dutch local museums with a Roman collection do and could play in enhancing support for the Limes amongst the local community. Four local museums were selected as case studies: Stadsmuseum Woerden, Woerden; Museum Swaensteyn, Voorburg; Liemers Museum, Zevenaar; and Museum Dorestad, Wijk bij Duurstede. The data for this research was gathered through analysis of the Roman exhibitions in these museums and interviews with museum staff members and volunteers. Community engagement, the idea of creating a dialogue between the community and the museums (and their Roman exhibitions), provided the theoretical framework for this research. The main issue brought to light in this thesis is the seeming lack of support for these museums amongst their local communities, because of which they do not reach many people amongst the local communities for the Limes. If alterations are made to the Roman presentations to facilitate personal connections, outreach efforts are targeted at audiences other than the standard ones, and community participation is encouraged by these museums, the amount of support from the local community for the museums and their Roman collections could increase. To enhance public support for the Dutch Roman Limes, the museums should present their Roman exhibitions as a part of, and a contribution to, the overall story of the Limes. To achieve all the above, it is essential to intensify cooperation amongst the Limes museums, cooperation with stakeholders in the local and regional areas, and cooperation with Stichting Romeinse Limes Nederland. All in all, this research has revealed that the current role of the local museums in enhancing public support for the Limes amongst the local community, is marginal. However, if the suggestions outlined in this thesis are considered, these museums have great potential to increase support for the Limes amongst the local communities. This would further justify the Limes World Heritage nomination and strengthen the position of the local museums as public institutions and guardians of (local) heritage. In the end, telling the story of the Limes to a broader audience and thereby, hopefully, enriching the lives of the inhabitants of the Limes area, is the ultimate goal.Show less
