Penn Cultural Heritage Center Lecture

Economics and the Future of Heritage

The Penn Cultural Heritage Center invites you to a talk led by archaeologist, economist, and professor Dr. Peter Gould.

Economics brings a distinctive perspective to heritage conservation and management. What is the role of heritage in the world economy? What are practical tools from economics that can help practitioners navigate day-to-day financial and operational needs of heritage preservation amid economic, climate, and conflict-driven crises?

In this lecture, Gould explores the economic challenges arising from shifting philanthropic and government priorities; destabilized heritage markets due to competitive, demographic, and cultural transitions; and the dilemmas for heritage arising from global political conflict, climate change and a rapidly transforming global economy.

Expanding on Gould’s recent book, Essential Economics for Heritage—available as a free open access download via University College London Press—this talk is for students, professionals, and anyone interested in the role that cultural heritage plays in global economies and how to unpack the complex relationships between governments, communities, and international agencies.