Integrating Street Food into Intangible Cultural Heritage: Emerging Role of Digital Heritage Preservation and Technology Integration

This study examines the systemic factors behind this exclusion and suggests a technologically driven pathway to achieve recognition. Using a PRISMA-guided review of 34 articles, our thematic analysis identifies a core “polycentric failure mode” and four interconnected contradictions related to documentation, commercialization, equity, and ecology, which create insurmountable barriers for informal traditions seeking formal Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) status. We contend that community-led digital preservation provides a direct solution. By employing tools such as blockchain archives and AI-driven documentation, communities can meet UNESCO’s strict evidentiary standards. This approach transforms dynamic, informal practices into structured, verifiable heritage data without imposing disruptive formalization. This research proposes a new policy model that bridges the gap between institutional frameworks and living heritage, ensuring the protection of vital cultural practices in the digital era.