Participatory governance models to manage world heritage sites
Résumé
World Heritage sites, recognized for their cultural or natural values and as sustainable touristic destinations, must be preserved and controlled via long-term legislative protection and the implementation of a specific management plan. This process is strongly recommended to involve all the concerned actors, including the local populations. Our research presents the governance arrangements of two World Heritage sites: the Chaîne des Puys-Limagne fault tectonic arena together with the Causses and the Cévennes Mediterranean agropastoral cultural landscape. These arrangements’ establishment is studied through different stages, such as creation, implementation and institutionalization, as well as further evolutions. We focus on the diversity, multi-party system as well as coherence of the governance. This chapter shows how innovative participatory governance bodies can allow the local community’s involvement in the sustainable management of World Heritage sites, including the touristic sector.