Dilemma of local socio-economic perspectives in management of historic ruins in Kilwa Kisiwani World Heritage Site, Tanzania

Local residents of Kilwa Kisiwani World Heritage Site, Tanzania, view historic ruins not only as culturally significant but also as vital economic assets that generate income, employment, and infrastructure development. However, their socio-economic dependence on these ruins often leads to destructive practices, such as illegal digging, quarrying, and animal grazing, due to limited alternative livelihoods and inconsistent business opportunities. This study reveals a critical gap in conventional Cultural Heritage Management (CHM), which overlooks local economic perspectives, thereby undermining sustainable conservation efforts. By integrating socio-economic discourse into heritage management, the research offers new strategies for balancing conservation with community needs, contributing to both the economist-anthropologic debate on CHM and practical policy recommendations.

Lwoga, N. B. (2018). Dilemma of local socio-economic perspectives in management of historic ruins in Kilwa Kisiwani World Heritage Site, Tanzania. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 24(10), 1019–1037. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2018.1430604