Rethinking Governance in Transboundary Serial World Heritage Sites: Multi-Level Coordination, Institutional Diversity, and Cultural Diplomacy

A groundbreaking study reveals that the effectiveness of governance in transboundary serial World Heritage Sites, such as the Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde, hinges on the intensity and continuity of stakeholder interaction rather than institutional capacity. Through a qualitative comparative analysis of 15 sites' management plans, researchers identified four distinct governance models—ranging from multinational networks to community-led collaboration—and mapped their maturity levels using the Corporate Governance and Maturity Positioning Map. The findings underscore that trust, knowledge exchange, and diplomatic processes are pivotal in shaping governance dynamics, challenging traditional notions that prioritize legal or administrative structures.

Siklar, B., Akcakaya, Y., Halaç, H. H., & Bademci, F. (2026). Rethinking Governance in Transboundary Serial World Heritage Sites: Multi-Level Coordination, Institutional Diversity, and Cultural Diplomacy. Systems, 14(2), 220. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14020220