Cultural Heritage and Development in Fragile Contexts : Learning from the Interventions of International Cooperation in Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries

Abstract

This open access book discusses cooperation strategies for safeguarding cultural heritage in nations facing diverse forms of fragility. Through case studies and a critical analysis, it explores preserving cultural heritage to spur regional socioeconomic development and community empowerment, focusing on the Middle East and Pakistan, with an in-depht exploration of the World Heritage site of Bamiyan, Afghanistan. The first section offers an overview of cultural heritage protection efforts since UNESCO designated Bamiyan Valley as a World Heritage Site in 2003, reflecting on challenges and successes before Taliban rule. The second section turns to the present situation, analysing the inerplay between heritage preservation, community involvement and policies addressing urban and demographic growth. The third section provides a review of relevant examples of cultural heritage preservation in the Middle East and Pakistan by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, UNESCO, and international NGOs. It highlights the relationship between heritage protection, sustainable development and the mitigation of social and economic fragilities. In the concluding section, the book synthesizes research findings and operational approaches, providing a nuanced understanding of the cultural heritage, development, and fragility in the Middle East. Concluding, in the fourth section, the book offers a comprehensive report on main methodological findings, also conferrable to other contexts both in terms of future research and operational activities.