Evaluation of Local Residents and Specialized Experts of Heritage Environmentin Jordan

تقييم السكان المحليين والخبراء المتخصصين في البيئة التراثية في الأردن

In Jordan, the evaluation of heritage sites is often implemented by foreign and local experts without taking into account the opinions of local residents. Residents’ assessment of heritage sites can contribute to supporting the decision making process and enhancing planning practices. To assess heritage sites from two perspectives (i.e. people and experts) six variables were taken into account including external form, function, knowledge, age, maintenance and emotional cohesion with the venue. A qualitative approach utilizing in-depth-interviews was employed as the method of data collection to achieve the paper’s stated objectives. These in-depth interviews were conducted with three groups; comprising residents who live in the city of Old Salt and local and foreign experts, based in Jordan. Findings reveal that there are differences between local residents' view and experts' opinions in the six variables that were utilized to assess the heritage environment. Several recommendations to improve heritage planning practices are suggested in this paper. These include the participation of people in the decision making process in relation to the heritage environment, reassessment of the current methods of heritage planning, maintenance of the original function of the heritage building, making the heritage environment in one style, and establishment of database of the heritage sites.