Climates’ Impact on Culture: Analyzing the Adaptive Capacity of Cultural Heritage Sites in the Global South Situated in the Scholarly and Public Spheres

Abstract

This study used a qualitative case study analysis to answer the following research question: How are governments in the Global South tackling the challenge of preserving UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the face of climate change? This was done by investigating the adaptive capacity of the Chan Chan Archeological Site in Trujillo, Peru. The adaptive capacity of the site was evaluated using an adaptive capacity analytical framework that is composed of four determinants: learning capacity, room of autonomous change and access to information, access to resources, and leadership. These determinants were then sought out in State of Conservation Reports provided to UNESCO by the Republic of Peru. The findings of this research were that the Chan Chan Archeological Site does not exhibit a high level of adaptive capacity and, therefore, will likely be unable to adapt to the environmental changes which will occur in the coming years. This is mainly due to insufficient access to resources, lack of a leadership body, and bureaucracy at the site which inhibits autonomous change