Cultural Literacy for Preserving the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Indonesia

Integrating cultural literacy into heritage governance can effectively preserve the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 2023. This approach mitigates policy resistance, enhances local stewardship, and transforms static monuments into dynamic cultural identities. The study found that while initial top-down strategies successfully introduced the site's Javanese philosophical values, they failed to sustain long-term community engagement, often causing urban governance tensions. Dialogical forums like Rembukan and Jagongan Kampung foster trust and consensus, strengthening community ownership. Social media also plays a crucial role by translating cosmological concepts into accessible narratives, engaging younger generations and reinforcing collective pride. The research employed a qualitative case study design, combining semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and document analysis, including digital content from the official Instagram account @sumbufilosofi.

Hendariningrum, R., Ardhanariswari, K. A., Rachmawati, I., & Pratiwi, K. W. (2025). Cultural Literacy for Preserving the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Indonesia. RSF Conference Series: Business, Management and Social Sciences, 5(2), 138–145. https://doi.org/10.31098/bmss.v5i2.961