Rethinking Geoheritage
Geoheritage refers to geological and geomorphological features that help us understand earth history. Many geoheritage sites are designated as geoparks, where geoheritage conservation is combined with tourism to support regional economic development. These geoparks are also expected to support earth science education and contribute to local communities. However, it remains unclear how these goals are balanced in practice and how geoheritage is mobilised through social and economic processes.
This thesis examines how geoheritage is valued and used by different stakeholders. It uses a case study of Zhangjiajie UNESCO Global Geopark in China, drawing on interviews, surveys, and public participation mapping. The findings show that geoheritage meanings are co-constructed through interactions between governance and tourism practices, within which power relations play an important role.
In Zhangjiajie, authoritative interpretations are prioritised within a fragmented governance framework, while local communities are largely marginalised in decision-making. In tourism, influential intermediaries promote simplified narratives to attract visitors, often prioritising economic benefits over conservation and education.
This contributes to visitor engagement that is concentrated in core scenic areas, leaving peripheral rural areas overlooked. These dynamics create tensions between conservation, education, economic development, and community interests, which limit the ability of geoparks to deliver their intended societal benefits.
The thesis argues that addressing these tensions requires recognising geoheritage as a socially constructed and contested domain shaped by power relations. This calls for more inclusive and collaborative governance approaches that engage diverse stakeholders in negotiating how geoheritage is valued, used, and managed.