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.

Preventive and planned conservation as a new management approach for built heritage: from a physical health check to empowering communities and activating (lost) traditions for local sustainable development Aziliz Vandesande, Koenraad van Balen, Stefano Della Torre, Fausto Cardoso, Article information:To cite this document: Aziliz Vandesande, Koenraad van Balen, Stefano Della Torre, Fausto Cardoso, (2018) "Preventive and planned conservation as a new management approach for built heritage: from a physical health check to empowering communities and activating (lost) traditions for local sustainable development",

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Purpose The effect of heritage on place attachment is assessed by understanding how people “value” their heritage environment. In addition, the purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of place attachment on residential and investment trends according to two different social groups: local inhabitants and foreign immigrants. Design/methodology/approach A single case study design for Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca including an open-ended survey, combined with Likert-scale analysis. The survey protocol and questions for the respondent groups were structured according to place identity, place dependency and sense of place. Findings The analysis bridges the gap between theory and practice and demonstrates interesting similarities as well as differences between both foreign and local respondent groups in terms of the attributes they consider as cultural heritage and their preferences in terms of residential or investment location choice. The research demonstrates that an increased understanding of place attachment as the link between place dependency and sense of place in a specific location can assist in defining effective built heritage policies in favour of local sustainability. Originality/value The analysis of place attachment in relation to the origin of respondents revealed different perceptions on the role that a heritage environment might play on attracting or influencing displacement of local inhabitants and foreign immigrants. Based on original empirical data collection in Cuenca, Ecuador, this study identified research lines and actions which should be prioritised for improving management of this World Heritage Site.