IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF URBAN HERITAGE SITES: THE CASE OF KHOR DUBAI, UAE

This research questions the efficiency of impact assessment as a tool for the holistic management of urban living heritage sites, considering the evolving understanding of urban heritage presented in the 2011 UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape and the Sustainable Development Goals.The research focuses on Khor Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, a site nominated for World Heritage since 2014, as a case study to identify the potential of such a tool to maintain the outstanding universal values embedded in the site.Drawing on UNESCO, ICCROM, ICOMOS, and IUCN resource manuals on impact assessment, the study identifies critical elements and proposes mitigation strategies for urban development adjacent to Khor Dubai.Ultimately, the research underscores that impact assessment is a complex process essential for safeguarding and enhancing these culturally and historically significant assets.