Heritage and Value-Based Approach

A value‐based approach is now the dominant model applied to decision making over a diverse range of heritage around the world. In essence, it seeks to identify and conserve the positive values attributed by people and groups to things, which combine to represent the cultural significance of a particular place or category of heritage. This approach emerged in the afterglow of the Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter and is now embedded in numerous international charters, conventions, and national policy documents. It is claimed to result in better outcomes for heritage by involving a broader range of stakeholders and values. However, difficulties remain over the integration of considerations of economic and social value into a value‐based approach; and its appropriateness for “living heritage” sites and in other contexts remains open to critical examination. Its practical application will benefit from the greater use of social research methods, digital technologies, and community‐led and coproduction methodologies.