Cultural Heritage Capital and Wellbeing: Examining the relationship between heritage density and life satisfaction
Author(s): Thomas Collwill
This study investigates the impact of local cultural heritage density on individual wellbeing in England, employing an ordinary least squares regression model with data from the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) and the Understanding Society Survey. The research evaluates the density of cultural heritage, calculated within a 1km centroid ring of a Local Super Output Area (LSOA) population centroid and self-reported life satisfaction. The findings reveal a statistically significant, positive relationship between the density of local heritage assets and self-reported life satisfaction, after adjusting for various socio-economic, neighbourhood and regional effects. The research estimates the average individual benefit of cultural heritage near individual residences to be £515, with a collective WELLBY (Wellbeing Adjusted Life Year) value of £29 billion across England. This quantification illustrates the significant aggregate economic and wellbeing benefits of cultural heritage. These results offer insights for policymakers on the significance of heritage conservation and its potential to improve quality of life, highlighting the intrinsic value of cultural heritage in contributing to societal wellbeing and providing a compelling argument for its preservation and integration into society development and wellbeing strategies. This research is funded by the Culture and Heritage Capital Programme.
- Report Number:
- 18/2024
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 42
- Keywords:
- Wellbeing
