Measuring cultural heritage within the urban context : an analysis of existing dimensions and related indicators.

With the aim of monitoring and measure sustainability, different urban indicators frameworks have been developed. As sustainability is moving towards more holistic approaches, the understanding of the urban complexity is being widened from more than environmental aspects. As the cultural dimension is gaining terrain in urban measurements and comparison frameworks, several urban reports highlight the contribution of Cultural Heritage to the development of local communities and their potential for urban regeneration. Few indicator frameworks are now including heritage mainly as an asset. Therefore, a clearer measurement and correlation to other urban dimensions is needed in order to achieve sustainable development and the efficient management of cultural heritage. This paper analyses existing indicators covering different dimensions and selects those related to the conservation of the urban heritage. The selection of indicators aims to reduce the gap between urban development and cultural heritage management, as well as to foster holistic urban development strategies.