Challenges in Maintaining Geopark Facilities and Assets: Evidence from Malaysian Geoparks

This study explores the challenges of maintaining built facilities and assets in Malaysian geoparks, a critical yet under-researched dimension of sustainable geoheritage management. Drawing on qualitative case studies across eight geoparks, including two UNESCO Global Geoparks and six National Geoparks, the research identifies recurring issues such as weather-related deterioration, sensitive terrain conditions, budgetary constraints, manpower shortages, reliance on community-based repairs, visitor impacts, vandalism, and outdated equipment. Findings reveal that these challenges are interdependent, with financial and human resource limitations underlying most maintenance gaps. The study highlights the need for integrated asset management strategies that combine preventive planning, sustainable funding, skilled personnel, stakeholder collaboration, and resilient infrastructure design. By providing empirical evidence from diverse geopark settings, this research contributes to the discourse on heritage site management and offers policy insights to strengthen the long-term sustainability, safety, and visitor experience of Malaysia’s geoparks. However, the scope of this paper is deliberately confined to identifying and analyzing these maintenance challenges. A detailed examination of potential solutions – such as adopting digital tools (e.g., Building Information Modelling), instituting enhanced governance frameworks, or establishing sustainable financing models – lies beyond this study and will be addressed in future research.