"UNESCO publication, released on 18 February 2016, brings together insights from States Parties, Site Managers and other stakeholders involved in the protection, conservation and management of World Heritage properties in the region. It gives an in-depth look at the current trends and practices while presenting a clear vision for future priorities"--Publisher's description.

Since the adoption of the World Heritage Convention in 1972, the notion that cultural and natural heritage need to be protected and properly utilized has gained popularity. Over time, however, such utilization concepts were less focused on ideas of sustainability and became increasingly influenced by commercial interests. For the first time, this publication attempts to elaborate the development of the World Heritage Convention, the Convention itself in its different facets and how it evolved into one of the most important UNESCO instruments for the protection of cultural and natural heritage. It will be shown that the protection and utilization of heritage is a highly complex political, participatory and interdisciplinary process. This publication discusses these developments and suggests potential solutions in order to deal with such unintended trends.

This volume offers a critical inquiry into the ever-evolving notion of cultural heritage and the way it has been made accessible, governed, and protected by the institutional, operational, and legal structures of the European Union.

This thematic collection of 26 case studies provides a thorough understanding of World Heritage in the context of sustainable development.