VIRTUAL Barcelona

Abstract

Recognition of Cultural and Architectural Heritage as World Heritage Site and its subsequent regeneration increases the economic value of a Place but could potentially disregard its environmental vulnerability. People, Place and Policy may not be aligned harmoniously when Profit is at the heart of all investment. Paphos’ World Heritage site, is a unique Roman and Early Byzantine site with Outstanding Cultural Heritage and Global Value. Following the site’s WHS status, developments have enhanced its significance aesthetically but neglected the essence of its environmental value. The increased demand for tourist resorts and leisure centres and the need to create an infrastructure for the ever-growing tourist industry may have a detrimental effect on the ecology and environmental sustainability of a place. We argue that a balance should be considered in the Architectural ‘Αναπλασης’ regeneration of heritage sites when these are awarded WHS status. Planners and municipalities should prioritise the environmental impact of any regeneration. Climate change and rising temperatures in the recent years have turned heritage sites into unpleasant places to visit in the summer months when humidity and temperature levels rise above the bearable human levels. We argue that decision making should be guided by sustainability in all its aspects; social, economic, environmental, and we conclude with proposals that could be considered in the Policy making decisions to mitigate climate change impact.