Cultural heritage management principles and practice

This chapter begins by introducing some underlying principles about cultural heritage management. Then, there is a discussion of CHM objectives and associated issues, such as: Why preserve the past? Can you keep the meaning if you alter the original fabric of a heritage place? Why are site settings important? These questions and more will be answered with reference to the current charters of conservation principles available and conventional international CHM practice, as well as a framework that explains why CHM varies from place to place. As we move further into the 21st century, the management of cultural heritage assets for tourism has experienced significant challenges. Brown and Vileikis, Co-Chairs of the 2023 General Assembly of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), observed that the theme ‘Heritage Changes’ for the event was chosen with the aim of examining the role of heritage during such happenings as climate emergencies, conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, closed borders, virtual meetings and the Black Lives Matter movement.