From Conservation to Sustainable Development—A Case Study of Angkor World Heritage Site, Cambodia

Angkor is shifting its management focus from monument conservation to sustainable development of the broader Angkor ecosystem. This study highlights the potential for Angkor to serve as a model for integrating cultural ecosystem services into heritage conservation, bridging site protection with regional sustainable development in Siem Reap province. The research emphasizes the need for an ecosystem approach, aligning with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, to address environmental, social, and economic challenges. It advocates for demarcating areas beyond site boundaries based on deep knowledge of people-environment relationships, offering a framework for balancing conservation with broader development goals.

Hang Peou, Ishwaran Natarajan, Hong Tianhua, & Delanghe Philippe. (2016). From Conservation to Sustainable Development—A Case Study of Angkor World Heritage Site, Cambodia. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering A, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.17265/2162-5298/2016.03.004