VIRTUAL London Heritages Conference

Abstract

The inclusion of the Dolomite Alps in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2009, on the one hand, highlighted the exceptional geological, landscape, and cultural features of the region, on the other hand, it also triggered complex dynamics between conservation needs and increasing pressures from human activities. This paper examines the theoretical and practical consequences of overtourism in UNESCO natural sites, using the Dolomites as a critical case study to explore the delicate balance between landscape, infrastructure, and tourism. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach that integrates spatial practice, landscape ecology, and tourism studies, the analysis delves into the effects of overexposure, which risks reducing the natural landscape to a consumable – and exhaustible – global product. It raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of the UNESCO designation and whether a radical rethinking is necessary to prevent natural sites from becoming purely extractive locations. Conversely, the paper explores the opportunities provided by the ‘World Heritage site’ label, such as the potential to develop innovative governance models and integrated territorial management policies. The discussion critically reflects on the role of spatial intervention, understood not only in terms of design but as a cultural practice, in reimagining sustainable tourist infrastructures over the long term. It advocates for a ‘resilient landscape’ that balances ecosystem preservation, conscious public use, and the re-actualisation of local cultural identities. In this regard, the Dolomites serve as a paradigmatic example for interrogating the role of natural heritage in the 21st century, navigating the intersection of conservation and transformation.