Making Sense of Site Management

This chapter investigates and critically reflects on highlights and blind spots in site management research. The analysis is based on a textual analysis of the case studies included in this book. Findings suggest the presence of three distinct, although overlapping, site management discourses: participation of local communities, development, and administrative complexity. Starting from this observation, the chapter tries to deepen each of these discourses, underlining the need to unpack the concept of participation, to improve existing discussions on heritage and development, and to reconsider the role of plans in dealing with administrative complexity. The chapter then moves to blind spots in site management, pinpointing human resources, financial resources, and management by numbers as areas that need further attention in the debate.