World Heritage Sites and the Local Stakeholder’s Participation Mechanism: An Exploratory Study

Due to their singular qualities and UNESCO’s designation as having outstanding universal value, World Heritage Sites (WHSs) are among the most frequented tourist hotspots. This chapter focuses on examining the execution of procedures and evolution to foster local stakeholder engagement in the administration of the Madrid (Spain) World Heritage Site, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2021 in the Cultural Landscape category. The establishment of a Civic and Social Council as an instrument for the declaration and maintenance of Madrid’s candidature for World Heritage Site status was an important step forward. This council will be responsible for maintaining Madrid’s bid for World Heritage Site designation. The Civic and Social Council is recognized as an important component of the management processes at the World Heritage Site, which has generated interest in preserving the recognition and raising public awareness.