Identifying and Evaluating Cultural Genes in the Historic Centre of Macao: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective

A study of the Historic Centre of Macao reveals distinct cultural priorities among tourists, residents, and experts, highlighting significant disparities in how different groups perceive its heritage. Residents show the strongest connection to intangible elements like beliefs and folk customs, while tourists favor tangible aspects such as decorative features and cuisine, often overlooking architectural structures. The research introduces a dual-strand model for identifying cultural genes—both tangible (e.g., architecture) and intangible (e.g., religion, folklore)—combined with the AHP-fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to quantify public engagement. This approach provides a data-driven framework for preserving and revitalizing the site, offering insights applicable to other UNESCO World Heritage Sites facing urbanization and tourism pressures.

Ge, Y., Wei, K., Wang, Z., Huang, Y., & Zhu, R. (2026). Identifying and Evaluating Cultural Genes in the Historic Centre of Macao: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective. Buildings, 16(8), 1517. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16081517