ABSTRACT
This chapter situates the 2007 inscription of the Sydney Opera House within the contemporary discourse of heritage and discusses its significance within the canon of Modern Architecture through the history of the Sydney Opera House and its nomination as a World Heritage site. It argues that the inscribed World Heritage values are significant as they institutionalise the building's architectural values for a public audience and present a challenge to social values. Harvey argues that by Harvey's position is important for the overall discussion on World Heritage and social value because it situates heritage, not as an immutable and inherent quality that can be discovered, but rather as a status assigned to places that is defined by society. Conceptually for the idea of social value, World Heritage is important because it creates a universal tier of heritage significance.
