A notable feature in cultural life is the growing demand to preserve and promote public access to historical buildings and sites, and artistic treasures of the past. Governments are increasingly involved in financing and regulating private attempts to meet this growing demand as well as extending their own provision of these treasures in state and locally owned museums and galleries. These developments raise important issues about the scope, content, and relevance of heritage policies in today's world. Written by two leading figures in the field of cultural economics, this authoritative book focuses on the impact of economic analysis on the formulation and implementation of heritage policy.

Autorentext

Sir Alan Peacock has been a sailor (1942-45), Professor of Economics in four major universities, the first Vice Chancellor of the independent University of Buckingham, Chief Economic Advisor of the DTI, and an independent consultant. Allegedly retired, in recent years he has been deeply concerned about cultural matters, having served on the Arts Council of Great Britain and as Chair of the Scottish Arts Council. He is perhaps best known as Chairman of the Committee on Financing the BBC (1985-86). Ilde Rizzo is a specialist in cultural economics and is currently Chair of Public Finance at the University of Catania. She is a former member of the Italian Government Commission on Public Works and Vice Rector of the University of Catania.