Redefining urban heritage boundaries for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): the World Heritage property of the Hwaseong Fortress, Republic of Korea

A redefinition of the boundaries for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly the Hwaseong Fortress in South Korea, is proposed to enhance sustainable urban development and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study reveals that the current boundary fails to encompass critical urban components that contribute to the site's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), leaving them unprotected under World Heritage designation. Using qualitative content analysis via MAXQDA and spatial overlay analysis in ArcGIS Pro, researchers identified these urban attributes as essential to preserving the fortress's heritage significance. This approach suggests expanding the boundary to include all OUV-relevant elements, thereby strengthening the site's protection and its potential contribution to sustainable urban development.

Ko, G., & Kim, C. H. (2025). Redefining urban heritage boundaries for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): the World Heritage property of the Hwaseong Fortress, Republic of Korea. International Journal of Urban Sciences, 29(1), 151–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/12265934.2025.2463015