ABSTRACT
Concern for the conservation of the urban heritage is no longer the preserve of the cultural elite. The role played by urban heritage in development is increasingly appreciated and local communities, organizations of the civil society, and private citizens are participating in the designation and protection of urban heritage areas. In historic centers private investors are rehabilitating properties to cater for a growing demand from households and business interested in living and trading in urban heritage areas. These trends offer the opportunity to turn the conservation of the urban heritage into a core contributor to attaining more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities as stipulated in recent international urban development agreements. Implementing this approach poses significant governance challenges. The present work discusses the opportunities emerging from this trend in Latin America and suggests reforms to integrate the traditional urban heritage preservation and urban planning practices.
