A systematic review of cultural memory and heritage management: Global perspectives and integrated analysis

Abstract This comprehensive systematic review synthesizes research on cultural memory and heritage management from over 60 peer-reviewed sources across multiple continents, examining how societies preserve, interpret, and transmit cultural heritage in contemporary contexts. The review reveals a fundamental paradigm shift in heritage management from preservation-centric approaches toward memory-focused management, emphasizing collective identity construction, adaptive practice, community agency, and integration with broader sustainability and justice objectives. Key findings demonstrate that effective heritage management increasingly requires synergistic integration of four critical dimensions: (1) digitalization and technological innovation, (2) genuine community engagement and participatory governance, (3) comprehensive policy frameworks addressing equity and sustainability, and (4) adaptive management approaches accommodating uncertainty and complexity. Evidence from case studies across Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and Latin America reveals remarkable diversity in successful implementation approaches, suggesting that context-sensitive adaptation rather than universal templates characterizes best practices. The review identifies significant research and practice gaps, particularly regarding the long-term sustainability of participatory models, the underrepresentation of Global South contexts, the insufficient integration of climate adaptation, and the unequal benefits of digital heritage infrastructure. The document concludes by proposing integrated frameworks connecting technological capabilities with community agency, indigenous governance, adaptive management strategies, and equity-centered policies for sustainable heritage preservation in the 21st century.