CULTURAL HERITAGE-BASED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: NEW ECONOMIC MODELS

Abstract

Cultural heritage, beyond being a value that needs to be preserved today, is a strategic capital element in terms of economic growth, regional competitiveness, and sustainable development. Therefore, there is a need to use sustainability-oriented mixed approaches instead of a single model in the processes of preserving, managing, and transforming cultural heritage into economic value.

The study aims to examine the role of cultural heritage in regional development within the framework of new economic models. The research was conducted using a qualitative method based on a systematic literature review.

The findings show that the impact of cultural heritage on regional development has undergone a significant transformation over time. While cultural heritage was mostly addressed within a theoretical framework in early studies, in the current literature it stands out as a directly influential element in economic growth, innovation, and local development processes, supported by empirical findings. In particular, digitalization and the development of creative industries have expanded the capacity of cultural heritage to generate economic value.

The integration of cultural heritage with new economic approaches offers significant opportunities for regional development policies. However, a balanced approach between economic benefit and the preservation of cultural values ​​is needed in this process.