This study evaluates and explores the impact of heritage designation on human settlement values within the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Ninh Binh province, Vietnam. Employing a place-oriented hedonic price model alongside spatially sensitive methods such as Geographically Weighted Regression and Monte Carlo simulation, the study evaluates how heritage status influences property values across core, buffer, and surrounding zones of the complex. Through a comprehensive survey of 307 households, the analysis incorporates structural attributes, locational factors, human perceptions, and mobility-related variables, reflecting both tangible and intangible influences on settlement value. The total human settlement value of the Trang An landscape complex is approximately 95.04 billion USD. Findings indicate that properties in proximity to cultural and natural landmarks exhibit higher values, emphasizing the economic importance of heritage preservation in supporting local economies. Furthermore, perception variables related to community cohesion, education quality, and environmental health demonstrate significant impacts, highlighting residents' appreciation for cultural and environmental quality in heritage zones. Ultimately, this research underscores the role of cultural and natural assets in shaping settlement values and advocates for inclusive policies that engage local communities in heritage management to promote resilience and long-term value preservation.
Duyen et al. (Sun,) studied this question.