Towards a Beneficial World Heritage: Community Involvement in the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape

Heritage management often claims to benefit local communities, but true collaboration is rarely achieved beyond superficial consultation. A case study of Blaenavon Industrial Landscape in Wales reveals that deeper engagement with community concerns and values could better fulfill goals like empowerment and social wellbeing. The research analyzed existing community involvement practices at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting a disconnect between heritage professionals' intentions and actual outcomes. It argues for more critical, needs-driven approaches to community participation to maximize economic and social benefits.

Walker, D. (2011). Towards a Beneficial World Heritage: Community Involvement in the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape. Museum International, 63(1-2), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0033.2012.01760.x