Strategic planning and place branding in a World Heritage cultural landscape: a case study of the English Lake District, UK

UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) inscription for the English Lake District in 2017 reflects a successful integration of strategic planning and place branding, revealing how these processes shape a landscape's universal value. The study highlights that governance through a partnership model, led by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), enabled the articulation of an 'evolving' cultural landscape encompassing agro-pastoral, artistic/literary, and conservation identities. This approach balanced sustainable development goals with branding imperatives, demonstrating how WHS designation can be achieved through collaborative governance that leverages multiple landscape narratives. The case study spans 2006–2018, illustrating the interplay between planning frameworks and promotional strategies in securing international recognition.

Porter, N. (2020). Strategic planning and place branding in a World Heritage cultural landscape: a case study of the English Lake District, UK. European Planning Studies, 28(7), 1291–1314. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2019.1701297