Factors Linking Perceptions of Built Heritage Conservation and Subjective Wellbeing

Abstract

This research aims to reveal and discuss state-of-the-art research addressing the relation between built heritage and individuals' subjective wellbeing (SWB). Through a systematic literature review, fifty-one studies were analyzed. Even if limited, past research confirms the substantial relation between built heritage and subjective wellbeing, and six primary factors and other subfactors were identified. This paper's originality is found in its focus, being the link between built heritage and subjective wellbeing seldom addressed, and the definition of a six-factor model deduced from the state-of-the-art, as a theoretical framework to support further research. This paper contributes to the ongoing notion of human-centrality in the built environment and the growing trend to give importance to the human experiences within the built heritage context. The results are valuable for academics and policymakers, contributing to a tailored and place-based sustainable urban development.

How Does the Historic Built Environment Influence Residents’ Satisfaction? Using Gradient Boosting Decision Trees to Identify Critical Factors and the Threshold Effects

“…Such a broad scope makes Order a representation of the overall atmosphere and character of a historic urban area. Research in environmental psychology suggests that environments that blend harmoniously with their cultural context and possess aesthetic appeal enhance subjective well-being, alleviate stress, and promote improved social interactions [49,70]. Maintaining Order in the historic built environment is therefore of paramount importance.…”

“…The relationship between historic built environments and wellbeing is inherently interdisciplinary, yet there remains a notable scarcity of research specifically addressing subjective wellbeing in this context [49]. Given the absence of a specific measurement scale for the impact of the historic built environment on residents' subjective perceptions, this study developed its related dimensions and attributes by drawing insights from built environment satisfaction, residential satisfaction, urban planning principles, and urban conservation and revitalization.…”

Reactivating voices of the youth in safeguarding cultural heritage in Iraq: the challenges and tools

“…Simultaneously, debates about the quality of life of young people worldwide and the need to rethink holistic approaches to education also underpin a reassessment of the strength of heritage’s contribution (Johnson et al, 2014). More broadly, heritage is transitioning from being seen as “solely heritage-related” to a “health and wellbeing-related” role, potentially supporting a social prescribing offer (Sektani et al, 2023; Darvill, 2023; Sofaer et al, 2021; Power, 2016). However, they face the challenge of persuasively articulating the relevance of heritage to a society’s well-being (Brooks et al, 2023; Wallace and Beel, 2021).…”

The conservation and preservation challenges and threats in the development of cultural heritage: The case of the Kawo Amado Kella Defensive Wall (KAKDW) in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia

“…According to the theoretical frameworks, the value-based heritage management strategy is crucial to the sustainability of heritage management [ 29 ]. The conservation of built heritage is ever more significant and a key indicator of sustainable urban development worldwide [ 30 ].…”