A leading heritage expert has raised critical questions related to management of heritage sites in Africa, suggesting a socio-economic approach needs to be taken to maximise sustainability.

Speaking on the first-ever African World Heritage Day on 5 May, Pascall Taruvinga, chief heritage officer for the Robben Island Museum and World Heritage site in Cape Town, South Africa, said that while the number of world heritage sites in Africa is increasing, the relationship between conservation and socio-economic development at these sites has become a topical issue over the years.

According to Taruvinga, Africa as a continent requires sensible and sustainable solutions driven by stakeholders in world heritage to address socio-economic needs, while simultaneously upholding the principles of conservation for its 129 World Heritage sites.

“Socio-economic development often takes place either within or outside the boundaries of places inscribed as world heritage sites, for example, uranium extraction in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve,” said Taruvinga.

“World heritage has not been sufficiently harnessed for contributing to socio-economic development, especially in developing nations. Principles of sustainable development should be applied during this process.”

Using the socio-economic method of sustainability, Taruvinga added that a paradox is created where heritage sites are expected to combat ever-decreasing government grants through sustainable development initiatives, while still upholding the ‘virtues’ of conservation.

“The question that arises is: What are the acceptable socio-economic initiatives that can be implemented without compromising the authenticity and the integrity of a site?” said Taruvinga.

“Heritage institutions can achieve operational sustainability through implementing sustainable development initiatives that directly benefit conservation. Cradle of Humankind in South Africa has successfully developed its site for tourism and supportive infrastructures, creating direct jobs in guiding and servicing visitors at the museum and visitor centre facilities. This is an example of sustainable development and adaptive re-use at a heritage site without destroying the significance of the site.

“Heritage institutions are now confronted not only with purely conservation and economic issues, but also with the growing complexities and dynamics of the social context in which they operate,” he concluded.

“Heritage is becoming a driver or catalyst for socio-economic development in Africa, therefore the multiple and multi-layered stakeholders of heritage sites have to become informed decision makers on issues of conservation and development.”