Water Management for Sustainable Development of World Heritage Properties

Water management is critical for the sustainable preservation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, yet it remains underaddressed in current management plans despite growing water-related threats such as floods and droughts. This study highlights that only 10% of World Heritage properties explicitly integrate water management into their conservation strategies, leaving them vulnerable to climate-induced risks. Using three German case studies—including the Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout—the research demonstrates how water-related challenges can undermine the Outstanding Universal Value of sites. It advocates for improved data sharing and interdisciplinary collaboration between heritage properties and their surroundings to mitigate these threats effectively.

Mager, T. (2024). Water Management for Sustainable Development of World Heritage Properties. Blue Papers, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.58981/bluepapers.2024.2.01