From Inscription to Implementation: Practical Approaches to Heritage Valorization in the Maghreb

The inscription of Fes (1981) and Tunis (1979) on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List was expected to secure conservation, attract funding, and strengthen international recognition. More than four decades later, the outcomes reveal both achievements and persistent shortcomings. This article examines how post-inscription heritage valorization has been implemented in the two medinas and identifies practical lessons for heritage professionals. The study is based on comparative qualitative research combining field observations, interviews and analysis of policy documents. In Fes, the creation of the Agence pour la Dédensification et la Réhabilitation de la Médina de Fès (Agency for the Decongestion and Rehabilitation of the Medina of Fes; ADER-Fès) enabled large-scale restoration and international visibility, yet the reliance on centralized governance limited community involvement and produced tourism-driven outcomes. In Tunis, a vibrant network of civic initiatives compensated for weak institutional continuity, but the absence of an integrated planning framework reduced the long-term impact of interventions. From this comparison, the article develops a practice-oriented framework for heritage governance after UNESCO inscription. The framework emphasizes the need for binding post-inscription strategies, integration of heritage into urban planning, balanced institutional design, community co-governance, diversified financing and systematic monitoring. By translating critical insights into actionable guidance, this contribution seeks to assist practitioners and policymakers in aligning international recognition with sustainable and inclusive heritage management.