2.1. Sustainable Urban Development
The definition of sustainable urban development emerged in response to the problem of economic and industrial growth, as opposed to the human side of development together. (Q Jia, 2023)The most widely accepted concept for sustainable urban development includes two aspects: ecology, which promotes biodiversity and the improvement of natural values, and socio-economic benefits to ensure long-term environmental quality and health. In short, a sustainable city is an effort to find a balance between society, environment, and economics with the concept of one planet and three capitals. Urban culture is a way of life for citizens who contribute to high civilization and develop positive values in the form of customs, traditions, languages, and cultural art that reflect the life and identity of that community. The quality of life and the needs of future generations require good and sustainable living spaces (Ramkissoon, 2023). This proximity and integration of relations cause the urban growth system to have problems in one dimension, which will also occur in other dimensions of a city (UNESCO, 2020). The development of a sustainable urban society reflects the community's orientation. The problems of cities in developed countries are no less advanced than those in developing societies, so city problems seem to be universal and common to all civilizations. (M Chahardowli, 2020) Cities in developing countries face challenges such as poverty, population growth, urbanization, environmental pollution, lack of infrastructure, social inequality, inefficient institutions and governance, and local, national, and international civil society.
The special importance of heritage sites in the planning of urban areas became clearer after meetings where the maintenance and protection of urban identity by managing and using old buildings is a concern in a cultural tradition and individual cases of historic quarters are re-explored through an appropriate mixture of functions, including residential. (Wiktor-Mach, 2020)The historical city is the center of tourism and local economic activities. Cities have already proven that old cities can be developed by protecting their unique character. In India, the planning of temple building development has shown that the proposed development plans are based on the concepts explained in developing the management plan for the proposed nominated urban history site of the city (H Jie, 2023).
The concept behind community and stakeholder engagement for effective urban development strategies and practices is based on the close linkages between sustainability and urban development, as well as the necessity for sustainable development to be rooted in the social, economic, and environmental needs and priorities of an area. Social, environmental, and economic sustainability depend on informed community members who can identify and advocate for their own priorities and needs, as well as the benefits the community derives from those. (E Bruley, 2021) Meaningful engagement can facilitate the empowerment of local people to build their capacity for collective action and develop local leadership to address the needs of the affected community members. (Ramkissoon, 2023) Such engagement has been proven to be powerful in participative and consultative urban development planning, where the input of a poor community on development priorities helps avoid the damages incurred to their interests. (UNESCO, 2020).
Sustainable urban development allows cities to accommodate the needs of the current generation without jeopardizing any generation's ability to cater to their needs in time to come. This practice involves a holistic approach of integrating social, environmental, and economic considerations. Next, some key tools allow for sustainable urban development of them focusing on effective community engagement.
2.2. Community Engagement in Sustainable Urban Development
Furthermore, linking community members with their surrounding heritage sites allows them to develop a sense of place within their city and also benefit from the social and economic advantages that it provides. Involving communities in a management system aids in creating shared ownership of heritage sites, empowerment in its management, and also fosters stewardship and sustainability. Hence, due to these reasons, community engagement has become an essential cog in the wheel of heritage site and sustainable urban development. (A Bjørgen, K Fossheim, C Macharis, 2021)
Community engagement involves incorporating the views of the community in the decision-making process on a subject matter that concerns them. In urban settings, one of the most important themes is the sustainable urban development process. Active community engagement in the urban development process also provides mutual benefits to the stakeholders, enabling the extraction of great ideas and concerns. (X Chu, Z Shi, L Yang, S Guo, 2020) In the end, it helps in creating a better and positive project or plan, leading to implementation effectiveness. The value of the work conducted manifests in the realization of an environment that takes into account its heritage values (C Rendon, KK Osman, KM Faust, 2021).
Community engagement is an integral part of heritage management. Without engaging local communities, responsible heritage management or development cannot occur. There are many instances where communities have initiated their heritage conservation and participated in initiatives for preserving and sustaining their heritage. (A Egusquiza, 2021)They have volunteered for local sites of historical or local importance. They have contributed greatly to rural and urban heritage conservation. Moreover, the indigenous communities have preserved their cultural and historical heritage and become renowned destinations for tourism, which has endowed them with economic returns. (Pappalardo, 2020)Yet, there are certain challenges in community involvement, and several of them arise from the inherent diversity among communities. Differences between communities can divide them and affect their potential to contribute to the decision-making process. It is difficult to convince all ethnic groups that preserving heritage and developing it will enrich and not deplete their own cultural, historical, and emotional values (J Li, 2020).
Community-led heritage initiatives have brought about sustainable outcomes of heritage-led regeneration. They help to exercise good governance practices, celebrate cultural diversity, and enhance a sense of place. A sense of place can be said to be humanistic in essence; thus, a necessary condition for developing ownership and attachment to a place cannot spontaneously develop unless the community members' expectations and needs are discerned and their role and contribution in heritage projects are well regarded. (Z Aripin, 2023)Recently, successful examples have demonstrated how to utilize heritage as a catalyst for social, economic, and cultural nourishment of communities through sustainable development by involving them within the heritage inventories for heritage development. Encompassing local community participation in launching and implementing a variety of heritage-related activities can cultivate a sense of pride and responsibility among community members. (A Mandić, 2021)It can also serve as a cushioning measure to defend and conserve the sites from disasters and rebuild foundations for the construction of vibrant and resilient events. Taking some participatory mechanisms, the processes are designed to engage the community in dialogue about their values, leading to heritage-oriented conservation areas (A Piperno, 2023).
2.2.1. Importance of Community Engagement and Community Attachment Theory and Sense of Ownership
Background Heritage management is increasingly recognized as being more effective and sustainable when previously excluded people are engaged directly in the process of decision-making. There is much to be said, normatively and empirically, for broadening the concept of community engagement in urban heritage management, commensurate with the understanding of heritage as dynamic, contested, and networked, rather than as something that can be determined by an elite few. Inspirational and pragmatic arguments demonstrate that large groups of people interested in heritage conservation and management are more effective in monitoring change and adapting policy on the ground to suit local needs. Moreover, decisions taken in the public interest require values beyond mere economic materialism. (Labadi, 2021) Heritage, however, commodified it has become in the modern world, is part of what makes us all human, and global cooperation centered on the conservation of cultural diversity is an explicitly stated aim.
Stakeholders that have been engaged as part of urban heritage consultation processes are more likely to feel a strong sense of stewardship for their locality. At a purely practical level for site authorities and heritage managers, focused workshops at which local opinion is distilled and hard-fought consensual decisions taken as a result help to provide insulation against the charge of heritage elitism. The needed turn toward community engagement at World Heritage properties was stipulated by guidelines that call for conservation and management based on a balanced dialogue between key stakeholders, including local communities, local and state authorities, NGOs, IGOs, and the private sector. It describes and examines cases of community involvement in natural and cultural heritage at the design, implementation, and evaluation levels. (DM Zocchi, 2021 )
The power of the average person to effect significant change is limited. Furthermore, practical management directly linked to increasing the need, borne of conditioned social values, fosters a sense of ownership in all members of the community, living in and actively supporting the greater heritage site. Empirical studies have elaborated on and quantified the essential ingredients that allow for place attachment. Here, a brief overview of the adaptation of a conceptual framework is provided. Attachment behavior, in theory, is an essential aspect of relationships. It promotes mutual care, responsibility, and a need to protect the part where the attachment is invested (D Brodzinsky, 2022). From a theoretical point of view, these findings have obvious implications for management’s need to promote heritage-based nurturing activities. (K Bernard, 2022) These activities encourage individuals and communities to form 'attachments' and thus extend incumbent responsibilities towards heritage management, as was mentioned before.
2.2.2. Frameworks for Understanding Community Values and Empowering Community Values.
Community values are socially and culturally constructed and may change over time. This diversity of community perspectives is now fairly addressed in approaches to heritage management planning that draw on a range of models and frameworks for assessing the range of community values held towards heritage, the theoretical underpinnings of each frame, and its utility in guiding community engagement practice for the management of historic urban environments. We also consider new and exploratory approaches that could inform better heritage management practices. Current models and methodologies in use for assessing and managing diverse community values towards heritage have their roots in the field of heritage management research and are derived from frameworks for value assessment and typologies of heritage values. (Vuong, 2021)
In the realm of heritage management and urban development, there is an increasing realization of the need to engage with local, community-based values.
Tools of Community Engagement
A number of tools can be used in community engagement in heritage sites. Each tool has its specific aim and best use: -
Workshops: Workshops bring residents, policymakers, and experts together in collaboration to co-design development strategies that are culturally sensitive and inclusive.By involving a group, the workshops often benefit from a wealth of knowledge. (L Somerwill, 2022) Workshops also provide modules for participants who are able to interact regularly with knowledge, active participation, and research.
Questionnaires and Surveys: These tools provide data on citizens' opinions, needs, and challenges and help in aligning development initiatives with community priorities. Questionnaires are used when the goal of a project is to gather data that is quantitative in nature. Most often, questionnaires are written with closed-ended questions, meaning that participants rate the answers to questions in a scale format, with categories such as "strongly agree," "agree," "disagree," or "strongly disagree," as one familiar example (EK Elbes, 2022).
Interviews: Semi-structured interviews draw out in-depth insights from the community members, artisans, and local leaders to provide qualitative heritage conservation data. This method fosters openness and trust between the researcher ('outsider') and the community, as it focuses on personal connection. (NA Bizami, 2023).
Public Meetings: Open forums engage the community members in voicing their concerns, giving their feedback, and taking part in decision-making processes.
Strategies for enhancing participation (capacity building, co-designing activities, policy integration, and inclusive governance models).
The strategic plan reflects inclusive management and has the potential to empower communities. In engaging the community, the effective techniques not only aim to provide more knowledge, but also to share the management responsibility and build capacity to recognize and analyze their own values. Approaches in heritage management are documented with practical tools for community empowerment and have been widely accepted in some countries. Furthermore, they also pursue participative processes and build capacity for a better understanding of heritage and the local culture specific to that heritage. This will encourage the community to continue to promote and maintain the real important values of that heritage (Labadi, 2021).
Enhancing Participation
Engagement can take place at all stages of a heritage project cycle, from strategic planning and policy through the operational management of the heritage itself to the direct involvement in projects. The involvement of stakeholders, and by extension a wider audience, is encouraged. This can include the construction of relevant museum exhibitions, priority setting for management plans, improving access to the site, and many other areas. (J Li, 2020)
Enhancing participation is complex, requiring a number of strategies to enhance the involvement of communities throughout. Capacity building is necessary to enable indigenous and local communities to participate effectively in order to support a whole-of-community approach to sustainable outcomes. (Beiming Hu, 2022)
Capacity Building
Capacity building is the process by which good practice is identified and developed, to either help new skills and/or knowledge, or strengthen workers’ abilities in transforming opportunities from the political top into comprehensive benefits. Establishing people with the necessary technical, economic, social, and environmental skills, knowledge, and abilities enables them to participate productively in community decision-making by preparing a capacity-building program from a strategic analysis of existing capacities and known gaps. (Asadullah, 2023)
Co-Designing Activities
co-design activities will be a mechanism for extremely local context facilitation, including a variation of workshops and table-top or on-the-ground community projects complemented by studies of documentary evidence, the capture of local, national, and international knowledge, heritage audit findings, and an understanding of varied and complex interconnections between structures, organisms, and systems in a variety of specific socio-spatial settings. The collaborative approach to co-design enables extensive engagement with multiple benefits. It allows the integration of insights, know-how, narratives, and social inclusion viewpoints and concerns so that the narratives developed for the heritage initiative can deeply resonate with the communities it is seeking to protect or enhance. (D Zhu, 2024) Participation in such processes has raised power relations and community participation trans disciplinarity for historic environment and cultural heritage management issues and has resulted in procedurally and substantively valued enhancement in relationships between communities, professional stakeholders, and public bodies, trust, access, and inclusion, thereby being reflective of social values and human well-being (Beiming Hu, 2022).
Policy Integration
Policy integration can be seen as a core factor for ensuring that the participatory planning processes discussed above at the local level are not just empty rhetoric but finally result in development initiatives that are based on a community’s values and local peculiarities. More traditional top-down policy approaches have been inclined to disregard those aspects, and many times it is noted that neglect to build management of cultural and natural values into the options they offer to development planners. . (Torabi, 2021) Only if legislation is in tune with local values will it be effective in reconciling conservation and development; conversely, effective local community participation in management can sometimes prompt changes to regulations that can help a site that was previously out of step with new legislation to meet regulations with respect to heritage listing. There is also an underscoring of the need for partnerships, cooperation, coalitions, and information exchanges that underpin such forms of governance and policy implementation. (H Pineo, 2020)
Inclusive Governance Models
Several scholars have argued for governance models such as inclusive governance to be used as a framework for enhancing community participation or inclusion in heritage management. (Devindi Geekiyanage, 2021). Inclusive governance is defined as a participatory process designed to create an inclusive representation of a range of perspectives in decision-making, especially that of the less well represented, concerning urban heritage and its conservation, development, and management. (UNESCO, 2020) The objective of inclusive governance is to build a sense of collective urban identity and to provide for social and economic improvement based on the enhancement of urban heritage in its multiplicity of forms. Inclusive governance cannot be achieved without the active political and social involvement of the state authorities to ensure that all groups have a voice, irrespective of their gender, age, ethnicity, social class, ability, religion, or any of the other factors that may influence their identity and value system.
Importance of Raising Awareness and Public Outreach
Raising awareness about heritage conservation and its significance among local communities, practitioners, and policymakers is the starting point to incentivize the involvement of community members in the collective handling and management of their heritage. (H Solman, 2021).The targeted empowerment of community members involves being equipped with the necessary information and knowledge about the heritage for them to effectively understand its asset value, historical importance as a symbol of identity, and social, economic, and environmental benefits. (C Rendon, KK Osman, KM Faust, 2021) Informed communities are then better equipped to partake in the governance processes, be actively involved in initiating heritage strategies, and play a key role as an asset in the development of heritage management (AJ Miller-Rushing, 2021). They are likely to have a stronger sense of trust and value their stakeholders and leadership that facilitate heritage engagement, and in return, are more prominent in the imperatives of preserving our local experience and heritage and are more likely to follow the rules. Gaining the local insight that a sense of ownership creates a stronger commitment and sense of accountability towards the sustenance of the heritage. (A Eyisi, 2021)
Active public outreach is the essence of public involvement in heritage management. It is shaped by the very vital interests, preferences, and values of the local community. (K Nordberg, 2020) Public influence is constructive when the information about historic places comes in the form of stories and legends relevant to the inhabitants' ethnic identity, when it is related to the everyday concerns of the community, and when it is coupled with specific recommendations about how the community can integrate cultural and natural heritage values into future development planning. Public outreach involves partnerships on how and what to communicate and to broaden community consultation and participation in the management of heritage values. (AJ Miller-Rushing, 2021)
• Create engaging, evocative content. Start with a strong, relatable story that communicates the event or activity—and the heritage it hopes to illustrate. Bring it to life in simple, everyday terms. • Amplify engagement through social and digital platforms and in as many forms of engagement as possible. • Use interactive activities provided in workshops, community events, exhibitions, or other events to pull citizens into dynamic participation in the planned heritage makeover. • Provide a range of information on sustainable urban development and cultural heritage concepts, tools, technical terms, and practices to ensure that collaborators bring their traditions of research, ethics, and action to the community engagement process. • Develop feedback mechanisms to provide evidence-based assessments of how effective a given community engagement approach or tool may be: use this information to modify the project courses. (H Solman, 2021).
Effective community engagement can be considered the process that leads to social cohesion. Its fundamental concern is the relationships among community members manifested through their behavior and through their interactions with other stakeholders. (Asadullah, 2023).
Monitoring and feedback mechanisms are critical in any community engagement process. Communities, like any group dynamic, require ongoing monitoring to determine if the strategies are working, and also feedback that will enable any future actions or strategies to be adjusted effectively. (Haigen Xu , 2021) Open and inclusive processes of project development will not work unless stakeholders, who give up their time, see tangible outcomes upon which they have input. This requires ongoing evaluation to be built into the process. (RT Buxton, 2020) To effectively monitor community involvement, feedback can be collected using a range of methods and evaluated. These might include participant observation, participant reporting, surveys of community members, focus groups, and public forums. (J Sharp, 2020)
2.3. Case Studies for Community Engagement Tool
2.3.1. Case Study 1:
The Georgian city of Ekamra Kshetra, now known as Old Town and Pilgrimage Centre of Bhubaneswar, has a visible and vibrant heritage and culture, including 700 ancient places of worship. The Old Town area has a municipal population of about 45,000. One-third of the structures in the municipal area are heritage buildings. The community engagement in the coastline heritage site has been organized to explicate the community engagement strategy of the project. (P Camangian, 2022) Inaugurated as the Ekamrawka Kshetra Project, the Old Town Project transitioned under community leadership to the current Ekamra Kshetra. The name was chosen following consultation with the people of Old Town, who felt that the historically and spiritually significant title would increase positive spiritual significance. This new name aims to evoke a sense of belonging among citizens to their heritage, culture, and ancient civilization. The name Ekamra eventually gained prominence, leading to the town becoming known as Ekamra Kshetra. The Ekamra Kshetra project is mutually funded by the State Government of Odisha and the Government of India. The project is mandated to bring about conservation and urban development, thereby striking a balance between heritage, environment, culture, and society. The crucial role of the local community in every objective and project intervention was elucidated during the design and strategy workshop for this project. (Bose, 2021)
2.3.2. Case Study 2:
This project presents an innovative, small-scale, one-day community engagement project completed within the setting of a heritage site in the UK. The project investigated the feasibility of engaging local people ethically, respectfully, and effectively. A literature review of successful public engagement projects and academic literature helped to shape the engagement process. Piloted on the day, the process was evaluated using methods including face-to-face testimonials from local people about their experience of the day, and feedback questionnaires distributed to both local volunteer "stewards" involved in the event and local "visitors" who attended through. Evaluation results are presented quantitatively and qualitatively. They show that local people felt that important aspects of their heritage had been unlocked at the workshops and that they agreed that local voice can, and should, play a more active part in the future of the site. (Jagtap, 2022)
The case study presents a cut-down and summarized version of the full day, of which more than 50 local people were welcomed through a program of social activities, convivial storytelling, and participatory craft workshops. Local people co-designed the day and took key decisions about how things happened while delivering it. The chapter reviews some of the theoretical and practice-based literature we drew on when initially designing the project and experiential community consultations. (Sendra, 2024) Much goodwill was generated by the consultation day, and powerful testimonials highlight the potential for active heritage work of this kind as a possible strategy for community engagement. We argue that such consultations can prove transformative, but that they need to take place flexibly and be generated according to a project’s specific needs. The benefits and criticisms of working inclusively are acknowledged. The objectives of the day are outlined and the chapter provides a walk-through of the activities and structure of the day as they unfolded.
2.3.3. Case Study 3:
the Myola Feed 2 Site on the south coast of New South Wales – a sacred and socially significant shell midden site managed by the Dhurga-speaking Indigenous community, who continue to reside in the area. A sacred and socially significant shell midden accessed by the public, but managed by the Yuin community, the Myola Feed 2 Site is an important place on all scales. This section not only outlines the sacred, anthropological, and historic importance, it also details the techniques the Murrin Bridge Elders and Learning on Country team utilized during a series of community engagements in 2021 to gauge visitor activity at this site and opinions on the northern section of the National Park. The building timeframe reports of story poles and signs mark out the phased layers of engagement with the local population, community stakeholders, and ENGOs. The results of the Myola engagement process have been overwhelmingly encouraging, even with the large amount of diverse opinions that we are currently working through. The resounding feedback from the community has consistently congratulated the Murrin Bridge Elders and the team for going into the community, for prioritizing native people over any other group, and, most especially, for seeking out the public for the reevaluation of the northern section of the National Park. Lessons learned from Myola have allowed us to apply a number of responses and refinements to the engagement strategies outlined below – and to ensure a customized tourism guiding service that aligns with national accreditation standards, informed by the local community and fitting the needs of that particular community. Engaging is also about seeing – and acting on – the need to respond effectively to opinions and images as identified during the community engagements – this is part of the coming stage of on-ground requirements analysis and infrastructure planning.
2.3.4. Case Study 4 :
The revitalization of Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Nepal, is an exemplary case of community engagement in sustainable urban development. After the 2015 earthquake that badly damaged this historic area, locals were involved in the planning and implementation of restoration works. Multiple tools were utilized to engage the community, including questionnaires, which were distributed to residents and business owners to identify their priorities and challenges, ensuring that interventions aligned with community needs (Joshi, 2017). Collaborative workshops brought together residents, artisans, conservationists, and municipal authorities to co-design solutions for restoring cultural landmarks, fostering a sense of ownership and ensuring culturally appropriate outcomes (Sharma, 2019). Additionally, interviews with local stakeholders, such as traditional artisans and community leaders, offered in-depth insights into balancing heritage conservation with modern safety requirements, informing restoration guidelines (Thapa, 2018). This inclusive approach not only restored Bhaktapur’s historic identity but also strengthened trust between residents and authorities, ensuring the sustainable development of the heritage site while preserving its cultural essence (Thapa, 2018).