Il valore culturale del patrimonio naturale nella promozione dello sviluppo sostenibile
Purpose of the paper: This paper aims to contribute to the definition of possible models for the enhancement of cultural heritage from the perspective of economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Methodology: Viewing the environment as a naturalistic component of cultural heritage, this work is developed by benefitting from the interpretative tools of the general schemes of the Viable System Approach and makes reference to the case of the Biosphere Reserves of the UNESCO ‘Man and the Biosphere’ (MaB) Program.
Findings: Our contribution puts forward a model for enhancing cultural heritage from the perspective of sustainability. The analysis of the ‘MaB’ model brings to light the value of a site as a result of the dynamic evolution of the relationship between man and nature, thus aiming to overcome a traditional objective view of value. In our research, value is understood in terms of the ability to implement models of sustainable development which integrate economic, social and environmental perspectives in a single sustainability framework.
Research limits: The paper proposes the conceptual elaboration of a case study whose potential can be explored through further empirical research.
Practical implications: The proposed interpretation of the theme ‘Heritage, management and business’ suggests interesting developments by highlighting the key role of the firm and the contribution of management.
Originality of the paper: The interpretive approach developed in the paper brings traditionally misaligned economic, social and environmental perspectives under a unified framework focused on sustainability.
