How cultural heritage drives sustainable development
Opinion
The Bakgatla ba Kgafela people of the Pilanesberg said the expansion of tourism is about more than economics. Culture drives development, with heritage, creative industries, and sustainable tourism serving as strategic tools for socio-economic progress.
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“Heritage is an integral part of people’s identity, belonging, and sense of well-being around the world. The connection of communities to their sacred sites, places, landscapes, artefacts, archives, libraries, dances, music, and other artistic endeavours helps build safe and cohesive societies. When this heritage is damaged or denied, it not only destroys knowledge and memory of the past but also the building blocks of peace for the future.” — P Stone, President of The Blue Shield
HERITAGE is a vital source of tradition and inspiration, shaping national and local identity. It presents significant opportunities for community development by leveraging cultural and natural assets. As a shared responsibility, heritage preservation guides necessary change.
In recent years, the global community has increasingly recognised sustainable development as a key priority at political, economic, and scientific levels. Within these strategies, culture — particularly cultural heritage and creative industries — has gained prominence. The United Nations and Unesco have underscored this through initiatives like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which emphasises prosperity and planetary protection. Achieving these goals requires global cooperation grounded in culture.
Culture drives development, with heritage, creative industries, and sustainable tourism serving as strategic tools for socio-economic progress. Tangible and intangible heritage, alongside creative sectors, facilitate sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental spheres. As noted by the Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, heritage fosters cohesion, revitalisation, and long-term tourism benefits. Creative industries fuel the creative economy, while innovative heritage preservation integrates it into regional development.
Sustainable development was first defined by the UN in 1987, but I favour the refined interpretation from Agenda 21 (1992): “Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.” Ukraine’s Sustainable Development Strategy “Ukraine–2030” further specifies this, aligning with Unesco’s cultural conventions.
Culture underpins all five pillars of sustainable development: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. As P Verbytska notes: “Cultural capabilities — awareness, tolerance, empathy, belonging, trust, solidarity, and civic participation — ensure societal sustainability.” Conversely, sustainable development fosters heritage preservation and creativity.
Cultural heritage, a key aspect of diversity, includes monuments and memorials protected under Unesco’s 1972 Convention. Recent policy documents, such as the World Heritage Sustainable Development Policy (2015), reinforce heritage’s role in sustainability. The 2030 Agenda has further embedded these principles into global monitoring mechanisms.
Culture acts as both an economic driver and a catalyst for development effectiveness. Ukrainian scholar I Kats highlights that: “Cultural preservation advances urban sustainability, economic growth, environmental protection, gender equality, and peaceful societies.”
The link between heritage and sustainability is also evident in Unesco’s Operational Directives for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (2018), which includes a dedicated chapter on sustainable development. It states: “Intangible heritage sustains livelihoods and identity, contributing to economic, social, and environmental sustainability.”
To preserve heritage in a post-industrial society, South Africans must champion their languages, traditions, and customs. As P Stone asserts, heritage fosters safe and cohesive societies. Peace and security depend on culturally pluralistic approaches to heritage management.
Heritage bridges the past and present, embodying spiritual, historical, and economic value. Ukrainian researcher Y Osiyevska emphasises that “heritage fuels creative industries, tourism, and local well-being”. Sites of heritage exemplify balanced development, aligning with the UN’s Goal 11 (sustainable cities).
Australian scholar John Hawkes warns: “If culture collapses, so does everything else. Cultural activity underpins a stable future.” Thus, peace and security hinge on inclusive heritage strategies.
International treaties position heritage as crucial for global and local progress. In KwaZulu-Natal, the Departments of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) collaborate to leverage heritage for regional growth. Museums, for instance, boost creativity, economic revival, and social cohesion.
Ukrainian researcher I Hnidyk notes that “museums and heritage institutions advance education, urban development, environmental protection, and sustainable tourism”.
Creative industries, pivotal to modern economies, drive innovation. O Marukhovska-Kartunova observes: “Cultural and creative industries are central to the new economy, fostering growth at local levels.” The Creative Europe programme defines these industries broadly, encompassing arts, heritage, design, media, and more.
Cultural heritage is a cornerstone of sustainable development, recognised globally in legal and policy frameworks. By preserving and promoting heritage, we shape a future rooted in identity, prosperity, and peace.
* Dr Vusi Shongwe works in the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal and writes in his personal capacity.
** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, IOL, or Independent Media.