Good and bad heritage

Heritage sites often evoke positive associations, but dissonant or 'bad' heritage—marked by tragedies such as genocides, human rights violations, and environmental disasters—challenges conventional preservation narratives. While some World Heritage sites, like Auschwitz or Hiroshima Peace Memorial, grapple with negative legacies, others, such as the Slave Route Project or Argentina’s ESMA Museum (a former clandestine detention center), actively confront painful histories to promote education and human rights. Toxic heritage, emerging from industrial disasters like Bhopal or Fukushima, adds another layer of complexity, requiring balanced approaches that address preservation, public health, and ethical considerations. The study highlights the tension within the World Heritage Convention when nominating sites tied to conflicts, underscoring the need for frameworks that acknowledge both the destructive and redemptive potential of heritage.

Bandarin, F. (2024). Good and bad heritage. Changing Heritage, 122–135. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003463306-13