Historic Centre of Lima

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Historic Centre of Lima from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Residential Micro-Segregation and Social Capital in Lima, Peru

  Residential micro-segregation, characterized by built barriers to mobility, negatively impacts social capital in Lima, Peru. The study reveals that suburban-inspired urban design correlates with increased micro-segregating infrastructure, independent of socioeconomic status, density, or urbanization age. Using data from 99,685 residential blocks and ten waves of the Lima Cómo Vamos survey (2010–2019), researchers found that such barriers reduce civic engagement while increasing trust in neighbors. This challenges traditional models of segregation, suggesting that its effects on social capital are more pronounced at smaller scales and in unequal cities like Lima.

  Calderón-Figueroa, F. (2024). Residential Micro-Segregation and Social Capital in Lima, Peru. Land, 13(1), 113. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13010113

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• Thinking heritage places in Latin America: frameworks and reflections on historic urban areas

  A comparative analysis of heritage theories in Latin America and the Caribbean reveals limited integration of progressive frameworks into development plans, despite shared conceptual ground among positivist approaches, critical theories, and imaginaries. The study identifies gaps between urban planning laws, conservation rules, tourism strategies, and social heritage use, highlighting a scarcity of good practices in historic urban areas like Lima's centre. By synthesizing key works and case studies, the research underscores persistent dissonances that hinder effective heritage management across the region.

  Bassols i Gardella, N., Hiriart Pardo, C. A., Galán-Otero, M. L., & Lacarrieu, M. (2024). Thinking heritage places in Latin America: frameworks and reflections on historic urban areas. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 20(2), 155–170. https://doi.org/10.1080/1743873x.2024.2403450

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• El valor cultural del patrimonio inmueble en el Perú para la renovación del turismo cultural. El caso del Centro Histórico de Lima

  Research reveals that recognizing the cultural values and outstanding universal value (OUV) of Lima's Historic Centre is crucial for its conservation and renewal as a cultural tourism destination. Using mixed methods—including documentary analysis, structured surveys, and interviews—the study found that acknowledging these heritage attributes by stakeholders enables effective preservation efforts. This insight highlights the potential for revitalizing the site through targeted tourism strategies, balancing cultural significance with practical conservation measures.

  Lebrún Aspillaga, A. M., & Geovannini Acuña, H. (2023). El valor cultural del patrimonio inmueble en el Perú para la renovación del turismo cultural. El caso del Centro Histórico de Lima. Intervención, 1(27), 53–101. https://doi.org/10.30763/intervencion.278.v1n27.57.2023

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• Influencia de la gestión ambiental de los locales comerciales (MYPES's) en su impacto social, económico y ambiental, caso de estudio en el centro histórico de Lima, Perú

  Small and micro-enterprises (MYPEs) in Lima's historic center significantly contribute to social, economic, and environmental impacts. These businesses, which constitute 90% of commercial establishments globally, generate 50-63% of the world's GDP and employ nearly two million people in Peru alone. However, they also account for a substantial portion of industrial pollution, with Latin America facing an estimated increase in solid waste from 231,000 to 369,000 tons annually by 2050. The study highlights the urgent need for effective environmental management strategies among MYPEs to mitigate their ecological footprint, particularly in densely populated historic urban areas like Lima's center.

  Mejia Carranza, R. A. J. Influencia de la gestión ambiental de los locales comerciales (MYPES’s) en su impacto social, económico y ambiental, caso de estudio en el centro histórico de Lima, Perú. https://doi.org/10.21142/tm.2022.2359

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• Quality pathology assessment in historic buildings – case of the “basilica and convent of San Francisco”

  Fissures are the most significant pathologies affecting the structural integrity of historic buildings, with earthquakes and external vibrations identified as primary causes. This study proposes a methodology to assess quality pathologies—both aesthetic and superficial—in Lima's historic center, using the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco as a case study. The approach involves identifying the most impactful pathologies and their root causes, providing a framework for targeted conservation efforts. By applying this methodology, researchers concluded that fissures pose the greatest risk to the structure, highlighting the need for seismic resilience in heritage preservation.

  Regalado, M., Santa María, E., Gutierrez, A., Syón, D., Altamirano, J., Villanes, L., Rojas, M.,. (2022). Quality pathology assessment in historic buildings – case of the “basilica and convent of San Francisco”. Revista Ingeniería de Construcción, 37(3). https://doi.org/10.7764/ric.00034.21

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• Between the liberators and deactivators: Place, power and protest in Lima’s memoryscape

  Lima’s public spaces serve as a battleground for competing narratives of Peruvian nationhood, where protest and commemoration challenge dominant militaristic, colonial, and patriarchal imagery. The study reveals that acts of civil disobedience and remembrance of Peru’s internal armed conflict (1980–2000) actively contest the government’s and tourism industry’s portrayal of Lima as a historic and gastronomic hub. Through two case studies, it demonstrates how protest reinforces or undermines rival narratives of political violence, exposing tensions in Lima’s memoryscape. The research employs qualitative analysis of public symbols, protest acts, and commemorative practices to uncover these dynamics.

  Willis, D. (2022). Between the liberators and deactivators: Place, power and protest in Lima’s memoryscape. European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies, (113), 181–199. https://doi.org/10.32992/erlacs.10894

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• Urban Tourism Perception and Recommendation in Mexico City and Lima

  A comparative analysis of urban tourism perception and recommendation between Mexico City and Lima reveals significant differences in three key variables: monuments and historic sites, museums and art galleries, and shops and commercial services. The study categorizes the cities' tourism attractiveness into four factors—nucleus, tourist ecosystem, MICE & shows (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and related services—using exploratory factorial analysis. These findings offer practical insights for tourism officials and managers in both cities to learn from each other's best practices. The research employs a quantitative approach, providing a theoretical framework to understand the urban attractiveness factors of these culturally rich metropolises.

  Regalado-Pezúa, O., Sirkis, G., Carvache-Franco, O., Carvache-Franco, M., & Carvache-Franco, W. (2022). Urban Tourism Perception and Recommendation in Mexico City and Lima. Land, 11(11), 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112021

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