Theory

Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)

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UNESCO concept defining World Heritage as significance 'so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries'.

Heritage Power Cosmos

Details

Introduced: 1972

Referenced by

Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage articulates
Nara authenticity (culturally relative) opposes
Authorised Heritage Discourse (AHD) critiqued

Sources

UNESCO. Operational Guidelines. 2023. https://whc.unesco.org/en/guidelines/.
UNESCO. Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. UNESCO, 1972. https://whc.unesco.org/en/conventiontext/.

Cite this entry

First published May 2026Last revised Jul 2026

CLAD. "Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)." Atlas of Architectural Thought. CLAD, 2026. https://www.cl-ad.com.au/research/atlas/theory/outstanding-universal-value/. Accessed July 17, 2026.