Heritage Conservation Policies in Spain and World Heritage Sites: An Evaluation Through the Case of Granada

The conservation of cultural heritage is an interdisciplinary process aimed at transmitting the tangible and intangible values of past civilizations to future generations. Particularly since the second half of the twentieth century, international conventions and conservation policies have emphasized that cultural heritage should be evaluated not only at the scale of individual monuments but also in relation to the historic urban fabric, cultural landscapes, and the natural environment (Kuban, 2000). This study aims to evaluate Spain's approach to cultural heritage conservation by examining the historical development of conservation theory, the fundamental concepts of the UNESCO World Heritage system, and heritage conservation policies in Europe. The research focuses on Spain's heritage conservation legislation, particularly the Spanish Historical Heritage Act (Law 16/1985), as well as the UNESCO World Heritage properties of the Alhambra, Generalife, and Albayzín. A qualitative research methodology was adopted, incorporating a comprehensive literature review, an examination of international conventions, an analysis of conservation legislation, and case study evaluations. The findings indicate that Spain's heritage conservation approach is based on a multi-level governance system that ensures coordination between the central government and local authorities. Furthermore, the Alhambra Conservation Area represents an integrated conservation model that protects not only monumental architecture but also its environmental context, cultural landscape, and historic urban fabric as a unified whole. The study demonstrates that, within the contemporary conservation paradigm, cultural heritage should be understood not merely as a physical asset but as a carrier of collective memory, cultural identity, and cultural continuity.