I've been in contact with a PhD candidate who is embarking on research looking at people's heritage values in relation to expert-led statutory designations. The project came out of York's unsuccessful application for the UK's Tentative List for WH inscription.



I hope they don't mind me coming here but I though the forum may be able to provide some more input on this and may also just be interested in the work.

I've already given a few suggestions, but if others have some ideas then let me know.

Just to say these are the ones I have gone back with thus far:
Visby, the Hanseatic cities including Tallinn, Lubeck, Stralsund & Wismar and Torun. Town walls of Conwy and Caernarfon and outside Northern Europe Avila and Lugo.

Just to clarify:

Is part of the research meant to critique the OUV element of world heritage and how to establish this vague requirement? And if so, is the origin for this project York's inability to make it on the UK Tentative list? Which in part was evaluated by UK experts and not locals?

Indeed, I believe if York was nominated, it probably would be inscribed. So I wonder, do the individuals involved in this project support York for future consideration, or alternatively, deeply question the value and logic of seeking world heritage inscription altogether?

Seemingly, it may be valuable for the researchers to look at some other "failed" UK nominations. Why was the OUV considered not met in these 3 nominations, and how does this compare or contrast to York?

The Twin Monastery of Wearmouth Jarrow (Failed in 2012) (Paul's review really explores the challenges of OUV and outside "experts") - As far as I remember this nomination had quite a bit of local support. Nevertheless, OUV was in question among other concerns.

St David's Close & Bishops' Palace (Failed in 1987) - I think like Wearmouth and Jarrow, OUV was in question.

Navan Fort (Failed in 1988, 1989) - Did not justify OUV, only considered nationally important.

Furthermore, what about sites considered for addition to the updated UK list (like York) but were not given a slot.

Colchester - Camulodunum and Colonia Victricensis - Why was this nomination denied? Actually, quite a few similarities to York. "The local community, and community groups, are also considered to be key stakeholders." Nomination document

what about carcassonne? When I hear "walled town" that's the first that springs to my mind...

An interesting case study might in particular be Bremen - as far as I remember, it was on the verge of being rejected, until Germany came up with a local expert on Hanseatic towns who wrote a study on the uniqueness and importance of the roland statue. This could maybe serve as an example of local experts "helping" the global experts of icomos and the WHC to see the OUV of a site.