Human Risk and the Conservation of Urban Heritage. An Integrated Approach for Sustainable Enhancement and Fruition

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenges of conserving urban heritage in European historic cities, where short-term economic gains from tourism often undermine long-term preservation. Increased visitor pressure poses “human risk,” accelerating the decay of artefacts and altering the identity of historic sites. To confront this issue, the authors propose an integrated methodology combining two approaches: monitoring the impacts of mass tourism on tangible and intangible aspects of heritage, and applying the PlaceMaker method and software to assess place identity and guide appropriate interventions. The methodology aims to balance sustainable enhancement with conservation, providing recommendations for safeguarding historic urban environments while ensuring meaningful public use.