A Place-centered Approach for the Integrated Nature-Culture Management of World Heritage in the Antropocene Era

Abstract

The nature-culture dichotomy inherent in the World Heritage Convention seemed to be overcome but incomplete when cultural landscapes were introduced as a new type of World Heritage in 1992. In recent years, IUCN and ICCROM, the World Heritage advisory bodies, are actively promoting an integrated nature-culture management approach through ‘Connecting Practice’, ‘Nature-Culture Journey’, World Heritage Capacity Building Program, and ‘Panorama Solution’. The integrated nature-culture management approach encompasses the wider environment, culture and local community surrounding the heritage site, which is equivalent to a place-centered approach. The extension of the world heritage, Røros Mining Town and the Circumference, not only contributes to recognizing and preserving the entanglement and coexistence of nature and culture, but also provides an opportunity to recognize another humanity, Sámi and their sustainable way of managing nature in the Antropocene era.