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The New Holistic Paradigm and the Sustainability of Historic Cities in Spain: An Approach Based on the World Heritage Cities

Author

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  • Joaquín Martínez Pino

    (Department of Art History, Geography and History Faculty, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), C/Senda del Rey, 7, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Linked to the objectives of sustainability of the United Nations, the reflection on the historic city promoted by UNESCO has favored the emergence of a new holistic paradigm that focuses on the capacity of culture to improve the quality of life of people and seeks to recover the historical link among culture, development and sustainability. Based on this context, this paper analyzes the main problems that face Spanish World Heritage Cities in terms of sustainability and livability, and the correlation between the new paradigm and the reality of its current management. This study explored sustainability indicators based on the evolution of the population and the number of visitors. The current protection and management model is reviewed based on the four basic tools identified by UNESCO: Regulatory systems, Knowledge and Planning tools, Financial tools and Civic engagement tools. The joint analysis of UNESCO’s Periodic Reports allows us to identify the shortcomings that point to a disconnection between heritage city management and citizenship. After analyzing the impact of the new paradigm in the Spanish reality, the need to continue deepening its dissemination and accelerating its implementation is evident. In the same way. it is essential to establish and implement models of citizen participation that favor the fulfillment of the sustainability challenges of historic cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Joaquín Martínez Pino, 2018. "The New Holistic Paradigm and the Sustainability of Historic Cities in Spain: An Approach Based on the World Heritage Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-28, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:7:p:2301-:d:156040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. María García-Hernández & Manuel De la Calle-Vaquero & Claudia Yubero, 2017. "Cultural Heritage and Urban Tourism: Historic City Centres under Pressure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-19, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mohammed Abdulfattah Bay & Mohammed Mashary Alnaim & Ghazy Abdullah Albaqawy & Emad Noaime, 2022. "The Heritage Jewel of Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Analysis of the Heritage Management and Development Activities in the At-Turaif District in Ad-Dir’iyah, a World Heritage Site (WHS)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-24, August.
    2. Mehrdad Chahardowli & Hassan Sajadzadeh & Farshid Aram & Amir Mosavi, 2020. "Survey of Sustainable Regeneration of Historic and Cultural Cores of Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Bacsi Zsuzsanna & Tóth Éva, 2019. "Word Heritage Sites as soft tourism destinations – their impacts on international arrivals and tourism receipts," Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, Paradigm, vol. 45(45), pages 25-44, September.
    4. Stefania De Gregorio & Mariangela De Vita & Pierluigi De Berardinis & Luis Palmero & Alessandra Risdonne, 2020. "Designing the Sustainable Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Heritage to Enhance the Local Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-20, October.
    5. José Ramón-Cardona & David Daniel Peña-Miranda & María Dolores Sánchez-Fernández, 2021. "Critical Analysis of a World Heritage Site in Terms of Conservation and Tourism Promotion: The Case of “Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture” (Ibiza, Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-23, November.
    6. Alessandro Capocchi & Cinzia Vallone & Mariarita Pierotti & Andrea Amaduzzi, 2019. "Overtourism: A Literature Review to Assess Implications and Future Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, June.
    7. Agata Zachariasz & Dorota Jopek & Laura Kochel, 2023. "Heritage and Environment: Greenery as a Climate Change Mitigation Factor in Selected UNESCO Sites in Krakow," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-40, August.

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