Integrating World Natural Heritage Conservation into the General Planning of China’s Scenic and Historic Areas

Objective The on-site conservation of World Natural Heritage (WNH) properties depends on the legal and institutional frameworks of their host countries. In China, Scenic and Historic Areas (SHAs) are central to the statutory protected area system and serve as the primary institution for nominating and managing WNH and Mixed Heritage. However, a significant gap persists: while WNH conservation prioritizes natural outstanding universal value (OUV), SHAs are traditionally rooted in a dual natural-cultural philosophy that emphasizes aesthetic experiences and the holistic value of cultural landscapes. Consequently, the general planning of SHAs often fails to align with WNH conservation and management requirements. Therefore, this study aims to bridge the methodological gap between SHA general planning and WNH management to provide a robust technical pathway for the effective conservation and governance of WNH in China. Methods The research adopts a multi-stage analytical approach. First, it systematically interprets international standards and best practices for WNH conservation. Key requirements are examined, including the identification and protection of OUV and its integrity, the adoption of zoning for differentiated conservation, and the involvement of local communities in participatory governance. Second, these requirements are then compared with current SHA general planning practices in China. The analysis identifies several disconnects: 1) a lack of systematic recognition of OUV and its attributes in resource inventory and evaluation; 2) the zoning approach that prioritizes visual aesthetics and tourism facilities over ecological and geological integrity; 3) the marginalization of local communities through restrictive management policies. Based on this diagnosis, a coordination framework is proposed centered on value systems, management objectives, spatial boundaries and management strategies. Finally, the framework is tested through an application to the Wulingyuan SHA, inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1992 for its unique quartz sandstone landform. Results The proposed coordination framework comprises three interrelated components designed to strengthen the alignment between SHA general planning and WNH conservation. First, a multi-level resource and value system is established. The framework systematically incorporates OUV and its attributes into the broader natural and cultural landscape structure of the SHA. Through comprehensive resource inventory and evaluation, geological, ecological, and associated cultural attributes are hierarchically classified according to their relationship to OUV. This approach clarifies the spatial distribution of core OUV attributes and ensures that they receive the highest level of protection within the planning system. Second, a coordinated zoning system is developed to align general planning zones with the official boundaries and management objectives of WNHs and their buffer zones. This ensures the protection of core OUV attributes while providing space for sustainable tourism and community development. Third, special planning strategies are formulated to support heritage interpretation and community development. In Wulingyuan, the application of this framework demonstrates its practical effectiveness. In terms of resource evaluation, OUV attributes were systematically reassessed and incorporated into an expanded resource inventory. Heritage resources were identified across geological, ecological, and cultural dimensions. Core quartz sandstone peak-forest landforms and key ecological attributes directly associated with OUV were assigned the highest protection level, establishing a clearer hierarchy of conservation priorities. Regarding spatial coordination, inconsistencies between previous general planning zones and WNH boundaries were addressed through boundaries alignment and differentiated zoning regulations. Core heritage areas were placed under strict protection, while compatible areas were reorganized to support ecological buffering and controlled development. This restructuring reduced spatial conflicts and clarified the relationship between conservation and development. Furthermore, with respect to utilization and community livelihoods, thematic interpretation routes were organized around geological and ecological values, strengthening the interpretation of OUV within tourism activities. Management zones such as Traditional Ecological Agriculture Heritage Zones were introduced to integrate conservation objectives with local livelihood strategies. Community roles were redefined from passive regulatory subjects to active participants in heritage management, contributing to a more balanced relationship among conservation, tourism, and community development. Overall, the Wulingyuan case indicates that embedding WNH management principles into SHA general planning enhances the statutory planning’s capacity to protect and interpretation of OUV and its integrity. Conclusion This study identifies the structural misalignment between SHA general planning and WNH conservation, rooted in inconsistent value hierarchies, zoning logics, and management priorities. The absence of an explicit mechanism for incorporating OUV into statutory planning has limited the effectiveness of in situ heritage protection and weakened the coherence of spatial governance within WNH in China. By proposing a coordination framework centered on value hierarchy, management objectives, and spatial boundary alignment, the research demonstrates that international conservation requirements can be translated into operative domestic planning instruments. Theoretically, this study moves beyond traditional aesthetic-oriented planning by advancing a value-based coordination model that connects international conservation frameworks with Chinese landscape tradition. Practically, the findings serve as an empirical reference for improving “multi-plan coordination” (多规合一) within the context of China’s ongoing protected area reform and territorial spatial planning system. More broadly, as China continues to promote ecological civilization, the Wulingyuan case demonstrates the sustainable governance of landscapes with both national and global significance.