Heritage Places and the Heritage Place approach

World Heritage properties are considered   to be of Outstanding Universal Value to humanity as a whole. Their inscription on the World Heritage List focuses on the values and attributes that demonstrate their global importance, but this may capture only part of the multiplicity of reasons why people consider the property as part of their heritage. These multiple heritage values frequently extend to values, attributes and areas beyond the immediate focus of the World Heritage inscription. Thus, every World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. is part of a heritage place: the heritage place has significance that will include OUV and other heritage values, and maybe be an area that is larger than the inscribed World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. .

A place-based approach recognizes this wider context for World Heritage properties, based on understanding the heritage values a World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. , and its surrounding areas, hold beyond its Outstanding Universal Value. This requires a renewed and broader approach to the management of World Heritage properties, recognizing the complexity of the relationships of heritage with people, and the central role of local communities in effective conservation.

This manual sets out a practical approach to implementing a place-based approach to managing World Heritage properties, in order to ensure their protection and conservation for future generations, and their contribution to sustainable development.  It provides guidance on an approach to management that:

• emphasizes the importance of the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
  When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. , but also recognises the broader heritage significance, and the interdependencies with OUV;
• goes beyond the property boundaries to include any buffer zone(s), as well as the wider setting and other associated areas, and considers the interactions between these different areas and OUV;
• requires the engagement and support of the communities associated with it, and equitable governance and management arrangements, which are tailored to its wider social, economic and environmental context.

The existence of any heritage place is dependent on its geographical location and the social, ecological and geological relationships that have determined its evolution over time. By considering the complete story of the place, and the dynamics between the World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. , any existing buffer zone(s), and the wider setting, a broad approach to management can be taken.  This broad approach offers a better framework for analysing present circumstances and deciding on conservation strategies and approaches, than an approach limited only on OUV and the boundaries set for the property.  This broader approach strengthens the ability to understand and manage change, while maintaining the Outstanding Universal Value of the property along with its broader heritage significance, and how to ensure the positive role of heritage in society.  It emphasizes all the different connections and relationships of the World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. with its surroundings as well as the multiple layers of significance it has. 

Thus, a first improvement to management through the heritage place approach is ensuring the recognition and inclusion of the multiple values and meanings a place has been given over time by generations of peoples, along with its inherent characteristics, vulnerabilities and potentials.  This ensures that management approaches are informed by a full understanding of heritage significance.