Framework of Conservation Evaluation for Dynamic Cultural World Heritage Sites

Dynamic cultural World Heritage Sites, as irreplaceable resources with tangible and intangible dimensions, have been shaped by a result of the processes of sociocultural production and experiences in the temporal and spatial context and are going through a series of changes over time. The main purpose of this research is assessing the state of conservation of dynamic cultural World Heritage Sites, which is one of the most fundamental issues in the World Heritage monitoring process.

This study elaborates on applied-developed research methods, using an analytical descriptive method in two sections. The theoretical section is based on the logical reasoning method and technique of content analysis and logical inference; and the practical section is based on the survey method and analytic hierarchy process technique.

Achieving the effective assessment for the state of conservation of dynamic cultural World Heritage Site is based on two substantial criteria: 1) “securing and conveying cultural significance of the heritage site” with the sub-criteria of “integrity” and “authenticity”; 2) “heritage site experience” with the sub-criteria of “perception of cultural significance” and “experience of authenticity”.

The results show that the “sense of place attachment” indicator is the most important factor in assessing the state of conservation. And periodic use of this proposed model in the monitoring process provides a coherent platform for measuring the efficiency of the study heritage site management system. The developed framework might be used by Tehran Beautification Organization and Tehran Municipality in culturally-rich sites of Tehran.