From Universal Principles to Local Practices in Heritage Conservation: Comparative Perspectives from the Arab World

Conservation practices in the Arab World, while shaped by global charters like the Athens and Venice Charters, diverge significantly to emphasize continuity, adaptive reuse, and the integration of tangible and intangible heritage. A comparative analysis of cases from Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates reveals that these practices contribute uniquely to global conservation discourse but face challenges such as tourism pressures and policy implementation gaps. The study advocates for context-sensitive models that balance participatory governance with ethical principles like minimal intervention and reversibility, drawing on frameworks like the Nara Document on Authenticity. It underscores the need for decolonizing conservation theories to foster inclusive and sustainable stewardship that respects cultural diversity.

Jamhawi, M., Sabri, R., Aladarbeh, N., Farouq, S., Alsuwaidi, F., Aljuwaied, M., Albadri, N.,. (2026). From Universal Principles to Local Practices in Heritage Conservation: Comparative Perspectives from the Arab World. International Journal of Conservation Science, 17(2), 645–664. https://doi.org/10.36868/ijcs.2026.02.15