Unpacking World Heritage cultural clusters through the interplay of urban tourism and gentrification

Urban tourism and gentrification in Spanish World Heritage cities, including Ávila, reshape cultural strategies while potentially limiting plural cultural expressions. Research reveals that touristification can act as a mitigating factor against gentrification, though discrepancies often exist between urban policy and the socio-cultural realities of residents. The study, conducted through surveys, public domain data, and in-depth interviews across five cities, highlights stagnant or differentiated phases of gentrification and underscores the need for adaptive cultural policies to address demographic decline and aging urban fabrics.

Altaba Tena, P., Ginés Sánchez, X., Querol Vicente, V. A., & García-Esparza, J. A. (2025). Unpacking World Heritage cultural clusters through the interplay of urban tourism and gentrification. Cities, 158, 105634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2024.105634