Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape

Integrative Management Planning Framework for Sustainable Development of Sub-Saharan African World Heritage Cultural Landscapes

A novel integrative management planning framework has been developed to address the challenges of sustainable development and conservation in Sub-Saharan African World Heritage cultural landscapes, particularly those under pressure from conflicting development activities. This framework proposes strategic solutions that harmonize land use planning, decision-making, resource management, socio-economic development, and stakeholder engagement, offering a comprehensive technical tool for long-term management. The approach was validated through comparative case studies of Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape in Malawi and Mapungubwe World Heritage Cultural Landscape in South Africa, demonstrating its effectiveness in balancing conservation with development while ensuring the preservation of significant cultural and natural attributes.