Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung 327d ago

Dr. Abebe Lemessa Saka is an Assistant Professor of Social Anthropology at Haramaya University, College of Social Sciences and Humanities. He received his Ph.D. from Addis Ababa University in Social Anthropology. He is currently a post-doctoral fellow affiliated with ZEF as part of the “Local dynamics and Integration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Outstanding Universal Value” research project funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. Summary Designation of cultural landscapes as UNESCO World Heritage Sites with outstanding universal values defines a globally recognized status, beyond their local values. However, cultural landscapes are not static, and many of them, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, experience strong local dynamics with massive environmental, economic and social changes and conflicts. This study, therefore, aims to understand UNESCO World Heritage Sites as ‘living’ landscapes that are shaped and transformed through local dynamics including context-specific socio-economic, cultural, environmental and political factors. The case studies will be Konso Cultural Landscape in Ethiopia and the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests in Kenya, UNESCO recognized cultural landscapes in Eastern Africa. The concept of human-environment interactions in cultural landscapes, sustainability and the concept of intersectionality (especially, for the gender dimension) guide the analysis. The analysis and understanding of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as ‘living’ and changing cultural landscapes will contribute to develop approaches to maintain their sustainable futures. Methodology - Intergenerational change analysis of landscape values and indigenous conservation practices - Human-environment interactions, and land use and livelihood transition analysis - Meta-analysis based on case studies to contribute to academic discourses and policy discussion towards sustainable development and landscape conservation - Mixed methods approach: qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis Main Cooperation Partners - Dilla University - Kenyatta University Main Funding Partners - The Volkswagen Foundation Duration of the Project - 2022 - 2026