China is seeking UNESCO recognition for its World Heritage Craze, exploring three dimensions of the initiative: universal agenda, national practices, and local responses, with a sociological lens offering comprehensive insights into World Heritage and China's deep social, cultural, and political structures.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2022
Publisher: Berghahn Books

China has a growing craze for World Heritage sites, claiming to have the world's longest continuous civilization and seeking recognition from UNESCO. This book delves into three dimensions of the UNESCO World Heritage initiative, focusing on the universal agenda, national practices, and local responses. Through a sociological lens, it provides comprehensive insights into World Heritage and China's deep social, cultural, and political structures.

China's World Heritage Craze

China has a growing craze for World Heritage sites, claiming to have the world's longest continuous civilization and seeking recognition from UNESCO. This book explores three dimensions of the UNESCO World Heritage initiative with particular relevance for China: the universal agenda, the national practices, and the local responses. With a sociological lens, this book offers comprehensive insights into World Heritage, as well as China's deep social, cultural, and political structures.

The Universal Agenda

The universal agenda of the UNESCO World Heritage initiative is to preserve and protect the world's cultural and natural heritage for future generations. This includes the identification, evaluation, and protection of sites that are of outstanding universal value. The initiative aims to promote cultural diversity, heritage conservation, and sustainable development, and to ensure that the benefits of heritage are shared by all.

National Practices

China's national practices in World Heritage management are unique and complex. The country has a long history of cultural heritage preservation and has established a comprehensive system of laws, regulations, and policies to protect its cultural heritage. However, there have been challenges in implementing these practices, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization and economic development.

Local Responses

Local responses to World Heritage sites in China are diverse and dynamic. These responses can range from community-based initiatives to government-led projects. Community-based initiatives often focus on preserving the cultural heritage of the local community, while government-led projects often focus on promoting tourism and economic development. However, there have been concerns about the impact of these projects on the local community and the environment.

Conclusion

China's World Heritage Craze is driven by a desire to preserve and protect its rich cultural and natural heritage for future generations. The UNESCO World Heritage initiative provides a framework for achieving this goal, but there are challenges that need to be addressed. By understanding the universal agenda, national practices, and local responses, we can work towards a more sustainable and inclusive approach to World Heritage management in China.

ISBN-13: 9781800734463