Factors Underlying Community Participation in Heritage Conservation

Factors Underlying Community Participation in Heritage Conservation

It is widely acknowledged that community participation is fundamental in heritage management practice and the overall success of conservation programs. Nevertheless, explanations of what brings about a community \ active participation in cultural heritage conservation are scant. This paper specifically focuses on Built cultural heritage whereby the World Heritage Site of Zanzibar Stone Town is used as a case study. The purpose of the study is to explore factors influencing community participation in conserving the cultural heritage of which its assets are significant resources and attractions for tourism. The study uses the Heritage cycle model, Social exchange, and residents ’ empowerment theories to identify such factors. The findings indicate that perceived heritage values along with community empowerment have a significant influence on community participation in conservation.