Heritage-Led Urban Regeneration in the Context of WH Listing: Lessons and Opportunities for the Newly Inscribed City of As-Salt in Jordan

UNESCO World Heritage Listing (WHL) often spurs urban regeneration, typically prioritizing tourism and Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), while potentially marginalizing other heritage values and triggering unintended challenges like gentrification and social exclusion. A study on As-Salt, Jordan—recently inscribed in 2021—examines the impacts of WHL nomination processes on urban transformation, from initial attempts in 2014 to final inscription. Through a community survey conducted in November 2020, the research identifies key opportunities and challenges arising from these transformations. By comparing As-Salt’s trajectory with established World Heritage cities in the MENA region, the study proposes prioritized recommendations for sustainable urban regeneration, addressing short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to guide future development.

El Faouri, B. F., & Sibley, M. (2022). Heritage-Led Urban Regeneration in the Context of WH Listing: Lessons and Opportunities for the Newly Inscribed City of As-Salt in Jordan. Sustainability, 14(8), 4557. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084557