This paper critically examines the often top-down, expert-driven, and state-centred approaches to heritage conservation, despite the recognised importance of local community involvement. By focusing on the lived heritage of traditional Greek settlements, it explores how these conservation policies impact local perceptions of heritage. The paper argues that without carefully balancing preservation priorities with the living aspects of heritage, conservation policies can negatively influence local notions of heritage.
Through an analysis of the pragmatic effects of heritage conservation policies on local understandings, the research highlights the potential for these policies to disrupt the relationship between authorised and grassroots perspectives on living heritage. It provides insights into how these authorised heritage discourses (AHD) can have damaging effects if they fail to consider the lived experiences and values of local communities.
The study underscores the need for a more inclusive approach to heritage conservation that integrates local community perspectives. It calls for a reassessment of current practices to ensure that they support, rather than undermine, the living heritage of communities. This research serves as a reference point for understanding the dependent relationship between heritage conservation approaches and local community perceptions, advocating for policies that tactfully address and balance preservation with the dynamic, lived aspects of heritage.
