ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL PROTECTION OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE SITES: A THEORETICAL AND COMPARATIVE APPROACH

Abstract

The article is devoted to revealing the features of the administrative and legal protection of cultural and natural heritage sites in a theoretical and comparative aspect. The author emphasizes the importance of proper administrative and legal regulation of this area as one of the key factors in preserving national identity and historical memory. The work systematically examines international standards and recommendations of UNESCO, and also analyzes the practice of different countries of the world, which allows us to outline the common features of effective protection mechanisms and determine the optimal ways to improve legislation. In particular, attention is drawn to the fact that in many developed legal systems there is a clear administrative and legal procedure for identifying, registering and monitoring monuments, which is combined with strict sanctions for violating the protection status. At the same time, the growing role of interaction between central executive bodies and local governments and the public is emphasized, which in a number of countries are actively involved in making management decisions and monitoring the condition of historical, cultural and natural sites. It is proven that digital tools – open registers, geographic information systems, platforms for electronic appeals – are a promising means of increasing the transparency of administrative procedures and improving coordination between public authorities. Factors that complicate the provision of effective protection are separately considered: excessive centralization, lack of funding, inconsistency with environmental legislation and lack of mechanisms for adapting to climate challenges. The examples of France, Great Britain, Germany and the USA illustrate different forms of management in the field of monument protection, from hierarchical structures to more decentralized models with a strong public sector. The study substantiates the thesis that the success of administrative and legal protection directly depends on the combination of imperative norms, technical and financial support, as well as proper interaction between state authorities, the community and private business. The author concluded that the multifaceted and complex nature of administrative and legal regulation requires a combination of the best foreign practices, taking into account local characteristics, as well as the stimulation of public support, without which any regulatory provisions remain only declarative. Finally, it is emphasized that administrative and legal mechanisms aimed at preserving cultural and natural heritage contribute not only to the preservation of historical, aesthetic and environmental values, but also to the formation of sustainable foundations for the future development of society.