Intergenerational value perception in heritage conservation: A systematic review and integration of perspectives
Heritage conservation’s intergenerational value transmission is increasingly recognized as a vital yet complex domain within heritage studies, necessitating systematic assessment of how values are constructed, negotiated, and perpetuated across generations. This systematic review focuses on intergenerational value perception in heritage conservation in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews. The analysis of the Web of Science and Scopus databases provided not only a snapshot of emerging trends within the discipline but also exposed critical gaps and shortcomings from both a theoretical and methodological perspective. Notably, while literature regarding the intergenerational value transmission has grown considerably, there remains a conspicuous absence of longitudinal data and an overreliance on retrospective self-reported data. In addition, we question the prevailing research paradigms that tend to be overly compartmentalized, particularly regarding the elder community’s perspectives on heritage conservation. This systematic review focuses specifically on indexed English-language literature from Web of Science and Scopus databases, which may not fully represent global heritage scholarship, particularly from non-Western and indigenous contexts. Thematic and bibliometric approaches indicate the predominance of complex, interdisciplinary research designs within a single study. Consequently, this body of work captures disparate research methods that are often difficult to integrate meaningfully into cohesive frameworks. This review presents a holistic critique of the application of contemporary technological advancements in heritage studies and highlights the growing disregard for culturally informed frameworks in relation to intergenerational value transmission. The results propose a model for policymakers, emphasizing that new initiatives must appreciate generational differences while promoting dialogue.
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