World Natural Heritage sites and regional development – the cases of Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro

Abstract

The popularity of World Heritage status continues apace – more sites are included in the List every year. World Natural Heritage sites in particular are increasingly discussed as a promising strategy for reconciling conservation and sustainable development. By means of two case studies from East Africa – which are embedded in a global survey on the effects of World Heritage Status – this report analyses what actually happens in situ when World Heritage status is granted to an area. The studies show that the effect of this international conservation status should not be underestimated, especially with regard to institutional aspects.