Aims: Assessing the state of conservation of cultural World Heritage Sites is one of the most fundamental issues in the World Heritage monitoring process. This assessment should focus not only on the safeguarding the tangible and intangible values, but also on communicating the cultural significance of the heritage site. Also, this should be embedded in a participatory process, in which various stakeholders could actively take part.
Instrument & Methods: This study elaborates on applied-developed research methods, using an analytical descriptive method in two sections. The theoretical section is based on the logical reasoning method and technique of content analysis and logical inference; and the practical section is based on the survey method and analytic hierarchy process technique.
Findings: The results show that the “sense of place attachment” indicator is the most important factor in assessing the state of conservation of Yazd World Heritage Site. Among the studied districts, Shah Ab-ol-qasem has the highest and Dar-o-shafa has the lowest rank in the conservation status.
Conclusion: The proposed model of assessing the state of conservation of Yazd World Heritage Site is based on two substantial criteria: 1) “securing and conveying cultural significance of the heritage site” with the sub-criteria of “integrity” and “authenticity”; 2) “heritage site experience” with the sub-criteria of “perception of cultural significance” and “experience of authenticity”. And periodic use of this model in the monitoring process provides a coherent platform for measuring the efficiency of the heritage management system.