Heritage Policies in the Neoliberal Arena: Spaces of Exclusion and Gentrification in Urban World Heritage Sites

Among the instruments elaborated for protecting and promoting cultural heritage, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (WHC) and related policies remain dominant, despite criticism in academia. Studies on the role and influence of WH inscription in urban areas are abundant, although they rarely engage with comparative analysis, preferring to investigate single-site dynamics. This article suggests that comparing the evolution of different WH sites reveals interesting parallels, suggesting that some recurrent patterns are identifiable. Our comparative analysis identifies (a) key ontological complexities emerging from the candidature and inscription phases, and (b) common trends of post-inscription consequences as pertains to urban areas. In particular, our results point to: the limitedness and fixity of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ statements; the selective identification of heritage resources, based on exclusive instead of inclusive values; the marginalisation of local traditional expertise by international heritage professionals; the unwillingness of local administrative actors to seek for a holistic revitalisation of historic cities. More broadly, results of this study suggest that national neoliberal agendas based on tourism-driven development treat urban heritage resources as commodities, hindering the possibility of inclusive and participatory urban practices, while policies adopting ‘rights-based’ approaches are more likely to promote local heritage awareness and to encourage identity construction.