Connecting the dots: a proposal to frame the debate around cultural initiatives and sustainable development

Sustainability and sustainable development have received increasing attention in the academic world, across many disciplines and fields. Several conceptual models have been proposed to apply the sustainability perspective to culture and cultural heritage. These models break down the broad concept of sustainability into distinct dimensions, with relation to specific domains where a given impact might be detected. Instead, it is necessary to adopt an integrated perspective and an interdisciplinary approach. Hence, first, we propose a multifaceted view to crystallise the current debate of what sustainable development entails in the cultural heritage forum. Then, we use it to map out the contributions included in this book. In particular, we suggest the following dimensions: (1) the levels of analysis (micro, meso, macro); (2) the four domains in which the sustainability concept unfolds (cultural, social, economic, and environmental) according to the Hangzhou Declaration (2013); and (3) the regenerative processes of cultural initiatives that are consistent with the sustainability perspective (management, participation, entrepreneurship). After a brief overview of each contribution included in the book, we conclude by pinpointing a list of themes that should be further explored to enrich the discussion about cultural initiatives and sustainability.