Zoning for world heritage sites: dual dilemmas in development and demographics

Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) since 1999, has faced dual dilemmas of development and demographics due to rapid tourism growth. A longitudinal study reveals that while tourism has driven economic benefits and conservation funds, it has also led to the 'museumification' of the core zone—characterized by architectural renovations and a 20% population decline—as traditional residences were converted into commercial spaces. Concurrently, the buffer zone experienced accelerated development, though craft villages around its perimeter showed potential for revitalization. The research combines interviews, census data, spatial planning guidelines, and maps to highlight the social sustainability implications of WHS zoning, offering insights for more integrated adaptive-reuse policies in living heritage sites globally.

Jones, T. E., Bui, H. T., & Ando, K. (2020). Zoning for world heritage sites: dual dilemmas in development and demographics. Tourism Geographies, 24(1), 33–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2020.1780631