Managing Libya’s World Heritage Sites: an integrated approach to mapping, monitoring and recovery

A collaborative project, Managing Libya’s Cultural Heritage (MaLiCH), demonstrates the effectiveness of an integrated approach to preserving UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Libya. Focusing on Sabratha alongside Ghadames and Lepcis Magna, the initiative achieved significant progress through capacity-building, surveying, documentation, risk assessment, and targeted conservation interventions. The study highlights the adaptability of this approach across diverse site typologies—historic cities and archaeological sites—and varying environmental conditions, offering a scalable model for heritage management in conflict-affected regions.

Alkhalaf, H., Elhabashi, A., Al-Fallos, M. F., Hiba, A., Sharfeddin, F., Altohami Alarabi, A., Walda, H., & Wootton, W. (2026). Managing Libya’s World Heritage Sites: an integrated approach to mapping, monitoring and recovery. Libyan Studies, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1017/lis.2026.10047