Archilectures | Monica Luengo Añon. “Management plan” : a strategic tool for the Preservation and valorisation of UNESCO sites

Management plans for World Heritage sites have to face new challenges since the World Heritage Convention was adopted in 1972. The basis of all the actions is the preservation of their Outstanding Universal Value, their authenticity and integrity as established in the moment of their inscription. However new and extreme changes (social, political, climatic,etc), which cultural heritage faces today, lead us towards new conservation and management strategies whose objective should be to manage these change while maintaining essential values.
All inscribed sites must have a management plan as stated in the Convention. Its purpose is to ensure the effective protection of the nominated property for present and future generations, and should place an emphasis on an integrated approach, linking heritage with sustainable development. Each management system depends on the type, characteristics and needs of the nominated property and its cultural and natural context, and some of them are facing serious threats such as mass tourism.

Art Historian and Landscape Architect • Vicepresident of ICOMOS Spain • Honorary Member and Former President of the International Scientific Committee of Cultural Landscapes ICOMOS-IFLA • Former Director of the Master Course on Cultural and Natural Heritage: innovation, research and development, Andalucía International University • Member of l’Institut Européen de Jardins et Paysages • Member of the Scientific Committee of the European Network of Historic Gardens • Her field of expertise is linked to theory and practice of cultural landscapes and to the research, restoration, conservation and management of historic gardens. • She has also developed work related to World Heritage nominations (evaluation process, expert meetings, consultancy, etc.) • During the past 15 years she has also organised seminars, exhibitions and has lectured internationally on cultural landscapes • She is principal of ATP, landscape architecture office and has carried out projects for Master Plans and restoration of historic gardens • Her publications include historic gardens, restoration, management, cultural landscapes, etc.