Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to presents a conceptual framework for a value-based monitoring system that serves as the core element for heritage conservation planning of World Heritage Sites. It reports on the early stage of heritage management research within the PRECOM3OS framework, in collaboration with the University of Leuven in Belgium and the Universidad de Cuenca in Ecuador. A new management concept was developed throughout a five-year interdisciplinary and multi-actor growth process within an international setting. Design/methodology/approach – The application of the preventive conservation approach to world heritage management places the concepts of authenticity and integrity at the core of the heritage monitoring system. Moreover, the monitoring system is converted into a decision support tool for intervention and maintenance planning, beyond the mere purpose of inventorying or generating alerts. Findings – The regular update of information for condition, risks and value assessment strengths and support strategic heritage planning. The conceptual information system developed is based on an inventory system and updated through monitoring. Therefore, planners are supplied with a tool for alternative scenarios, potential prioritization of intervention, options for preventive conservation and multi-criteria support for strategic planning over time. Research limitations/implications – The monitoring system is not fully implemented in the World Heritage Site of Cuenca; however, a generic model is put forward, developed to generate a planning tool that can be applied for different heritage sites. Originality/value – More specific, the integration of two concepts: the value assessment and monitoring from a preventive conservation perspective is considered an innovative contribution to the development of decision-making systems in the broader urban planning context of historic cities.

Purpose In other fields, like natural resources, a wide range of participatory methods have been applied, criticized and adapted trough practice. Areas such as anthropology, history or architecture have contributed to the identification of heritage values. Semi-structured interviews and cultural mapping are examples of qualitative and participative methods that have been applied already in the conservation field. Nevertheless, no framework exists to assess the effectiveness of such methods and little experience has been built up in actor’s integration within the heritage value identification process. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to recognize heritage values incorporating multidisciplinary and multi-actor perspectives. Design/methodology/approach The socio-praxis approach, which is the outcome of an articulation of diverse methodologies that aim to support social processes from a bottom-up approach as a tool for decision making and community planning, was implemented in the present research. In this context, it supported the identification of heritage values incorporating multidisciplinary and multi-actor perspectives of two traditional neighborhoods of the city of Cuenca in Ecuador. Findings The results show that the identification of heritage values from multidisciplinary and multi-actor perspectives allows a more comprehensive vision of the existing values and the process reveals a greater involvement of the neighbors in heritage issues. The importance of structuring organized group of neighbors and positioning them as living experts has showed the complexity of cultural heritage conservation process but at the same time the significance for heritage management has been demonstrated. Therefore, this experience can be considered as an invaluable tool for heritage sites managers. Originality/value Stakeholder involvement in heritage conservation management has been widely discussed on international forums in the ultimate decades. While the importance of actor perceptions and priorities for sustainable heritage conservation is recognized, little has been said about the ways to reveal – non-expert – heritage values in such a way that people get involved in the heritage value assessment. In this perspective, the present research represents an invaluable tool for heritage sites that aim to implement a long-term management plans.

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Soils and vegetation of a woodland in South Eastern Tanzania were studied in support of a project fostering community participation in the management of a proposed forest reserve. In nine sites within an area of 500 km 2 , soils were characterized, frequency of occurrence of woody species was assessed and diameter at breast height of timber species recorded. Villagers identified 133 species of which only 56% were scientifically identified. However, as ordination axes derived from the complete data set were highly correlated with those derived from the restricted data set, the latter could be used. On the undulating plains, deep, sandy soils (Hypoluvic Arenosols, Profondic and Arenic Luvisols) occurred low in organic carbon, exchangeable bases and extractable aluminium content. Most common canopy species were Brachystegia spiciformis/B. boehmii and Pterocarpus angolensis. On the dissected plains on shallow, clayey soils (Leptic Cambisols) with higher organic carbon, exchangeable bases and extractable aluminium content, Acacia nigrescens and Markhamia spp. were the most common tree species. On deeper, fertile clayey soils (Profondic Lixisols and Chromic Phaeozems) vegetation consisted of species found in the two vegetation groups. Pterocarpus angolensis and Pericopsis angolensis were the only valuable timber species commonly found, most frequently on the undulating plains. As soils of this area are unfavourable for agriculture, it seems sensible to set this area aside as a forest reserve.