“Of outstanding universal value”: The challenge of scale in applying the World Heritage Convention at national parks in the US

World Heritage Site: an effective brand for an archeological site?

“…The third group of studies focuses on the reasons for the designation and its perceived advantages and disadvantages to the stakeholders involved (e.g. van der Aa, Groote, & Huigen, 2005;Hazen, 2008;Li, Wu, & Cai, 2008). Given the prevailing belief that the WHS designation is associated with more visitors, it is surprising that almost no studies focused on the impact of the designation on future demand patterns.…”

“…From the perspective of site management, the designation has several effects on direct monetary contribution. First, it may be easier to protect, and conserve the site and its surrounding area as the state and local authorities are committed to sustain both the site and its buffer zones (Hazen, 2008;Kim, Wong, & Cho, 2007). Moreover, in countries with weak economies, UNESCO provides actual support and experts to help prevent deterioration of the site.…”

“…Clearly, income is essential to the survival of heritage tourist attractions, especially because heritage and archeological sites receive less government funding than that received in the past due to change in economic paradigms (Prideaux, 2002). However, once a site is designated a WHS, its chances to receive government aid increase (Hall, 2006;Hazen, 2008;Kim et al, 2007). There also seems to be an increase in volunteer support to designated sites, resulting in savings on human resource costs.…”

Delimiting the boundaries of a Mountain Natural Heritage Site through multi-objective modelling

“…Establishing protected areas, such as national parks and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) heritage sites, can effectively safeguard the world's most important ecological systems, rare and endangered species, and the unique natural environments of ruins and landscapes (Han et al 2011;Hazen 2008). Natural heritage sites share the characteristics of being indisputable, diverse and unique.…”

“…The designation of areas as mountain natural heritage site (MNHs) is based on geological and topographical features of mountainous areas, corresponding to at least one standard of the UNESCO World Heritage Assessment Criteria vii-x (Thorsell 2003;Han 2011). On the basis of the concept of a mountain, assessments of MNHs pay considerable attention to the natural form (altitude and elevation) and scale (area) of the given mountain area.…”