Most of the historic sites on the World Heritage list are located in the urban areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America, where the combination of growing populations and inadequate infrastructure presents particular challenges for preservation. Historic Cities and Sacred Sites investigates the consequences of large populations and poverty for historic cities and sacred sites. It contributes to a better understanding of the importance of these sites, emphasises the necessity for including social and cultural dimensions in economic development and offers examples of good practice.

The book begins with a discussion of the main problems in preserving the historic cities and sacred sites. It examines the complex origins and rich legacy of religious symbolism attached to many historic structures, and uses design principles to make a comparative analysis of them. It goes on to discuss planning and management issues related to sustainable heritage preservation, focusing on a range of policies and strategies adopted in Brazil, Norway, the United States, the Netherlands, North Africa and the Middle East. All cases point to the importance of decentralisation of responsibilities from central to local agencies, and to the promotion of private sector involvement, although the role of government in creating an enabling environment for private investors and community action is stressed, along with the importance of public-private partnerships. The importance of integrating traditional cultural values and beliefs (related to the sites in question) into policy regulations and the enforcement of laws is also emphasized here. The book considers a variety of options and innovative approaches in conserving, renovating and transforming sites, and preserving urban built heritage and cultural landscape,, using case studies from China, Brazil, India, Zanzibar and Italy. In most cases, the deterioration of monuments is attributed to either decline of economic vitality, destructive effects of urban renewal or the lack of implementation of existing policies. Documentation is discussed as an instrument to manage changes in historic buildings. Methods used in England, Japan for surveying, valuing and documenting heritage assets are used to illustrate approaches. The book is very well-illustrated with pictures, sketches and figures.