The UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) comprise core conservation areas supported by a buffer and transition zone of sustainable development. This zoning can help manage urbanisation around conservation areas. Although it is UNESCO policy to measure the number of BRs that have interactions with urban areas, there has been no systematic assessment of urban biospheres since 2008. This research addresses this deficit by measuring the extent of urbanisation of all designated BRs within the European Union (EU). Using the Copernicus Urban Atlas, the proximity of BRs to Functional Urban Areas (FUA) was determined. The results show that 46% (76/167) of BRs are situated within FUAs, including 11% (18/167) entirely within an FUA. The majority (64%) of EU-28 countries have BRs within FUAs. Urban influences on EU-28 BRs are extensive, as 90% are found within 50 km of an FUA. However, integration with urban areas may be lacking as 14% of EU BRs were adjacent to an FUA. Urban pressures are acute for 11% of EU BRs which had multiple FUAs within a 50 km radius. Therefore, urbanisation of BRs is a widespread challenge and recommendations are provided for BRs to function as an information sharing network and develop a new urban strategy.
The Introduction to the book “50 Years World Heritage Convention: Shared Responsibility – Conflict & Reconciliation” sets the stage by presenting the key message, background and content of the book. The identity-building function of heritage and its sustainable protection assume a central role. Accordingly, the chapter provides an overview of policy tools and academic debates engaging with this matter, while emphasizing the critical issues undertaken with the volume at hand. These are to reflect on whether the goals and content of the World Heritage Convention have been implemented accordingly; on the conflicts that have been affecting it over time and the need for sustainable strategies; and on perspectives for the future. This chapter further emphasises the requirements for diversity, arising from the World Heritage Convention and the variety of heritage properties, and it is reflected in the thematic, geographic and disciplinary diversity of the contributions in this book. For illustration, the chapter provides brief descriptions of conflicts affecting heritage, categorized into six areas, as well as summaries of the chapters which address them.
The rapid acceleration of science and technology has enabled people to make unprecedented changes to their environment and to alter the global climate. The changing climate, together with biodiversity loss, now pose significant threats to people and their heritage. This chapter provides an introduction to the impacts that climate change is having on World Heritage and how those impacts are being addressed. It considers the conflict that can be created between interventions to protect against climate change and the conservation of heritage values. Effective on-site management is an important tool in addressing climate change impacts and should be supported by states parties together with local engagement and national and international collaboration. World Heritage sites should not be viewed in isolation from their surrounding environment, and a strong World Heritage Climate Change policy is required to guide future management and implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
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