Unpacking World Heritage cultural clusters through the interplay of urban tourism and gentrification

A study on UNESCO World Heritage Sites reveals that urban landscape protection can inadvertently limit the diversity of cultural expressions, particularly when tied to declining local populations and aging infrastructure. Analyzing the interplay between touristification and gentrification in historic centers like Ávila, Cuenca, Salamanca, Segovia, and Toledo, researchers found significant discrepancies between urban policies and residents' socio-cultural realities. While touristification may mitigate gentrification, its effects vary, with some areas experiencing stagnation while others undergo rapid change. The findings, derived from surveys, public data, and in-depth interviews, underscore the need for adaptive cultural policies to address these dynamics in similar World Heritage cities.

Altaba Tena, P., Ginés Sánchez, X., Querol Vicente, V. A., & García-Esparza, J. A. (2025). Unpacking World Heritage cultural clusters through the interplay of urban tourism and gentrification. Cities, 158, 105634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2024.105634