Bridging the global-local divide: navigating cultural sustainability in urban heritage management

Cultural sustainability is increasingly recognized as a key dimension of global sustainability, particularly in the context of preserving cultural heritage amid urbanization, political shifts, and environmental change. Although integrated into international agendas such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), cultural sustainability often remains fragmented and less developed compared to its social, economic, and environmental counterparts. This research explores how cultural sustainability is interpreted and implemented in two UNESCO World Heritage cities: Venice and Amsterdam. These cases offer distinct yet comparable insights into the tensions and strategies involved in managing urban heritage today. The study addresses a key gap between high-level cultural sustainability frameworks, such as those promoted by UNESCO, and their on-the-ground application in heritage governance. While international discourse emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage, the actual translation of these ideals into urban policies remains inconsistent and contested. Through a qualitative, interpretive approach, this study investigates local decision-making processes and policy implementation, with particular attention to how cities balance heritage preservation with broader urban challenges, such as affordable housing, mass tourism, and climate adaptation. Venice, analyzed through the Horizon 2020 UNCHARTED project, exemplifies the risks of inaction, as it faces possible inclusion on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger. In contrast, Amsterdam serves as a comparative case to examine how global norms “travel” and adapt locally, providing an example of more proactive integration of heritage into urban planning. By comparing these two cases, the research highlights both shared challenges and divergent approaches to cultural sustainability. Ultimately, the findings underscore the importance of context-sensitive strategies and institutional flexibility in implementing cultural sustainability, offering practical insights for policymakers, heritage professionals, and urban planners navigating the complexities of heritage in dynamic urban environments.