What does "cultural sustainability" refer to?

Cultural sustainability refers to the ability to maintain and foster cultural heritage while allowing for adaptation and growth within a society. It recognizes that cultures are not static entities but rather dynamic systems that can evolve over time. This approach emphasizes the importance of encouraging diversity, innovation, and adaptability in cultural practices, ensuring that they remain relevant and meaningful in a changing world. By supporting the continuous development of cultural expression, communities can preserve their core values and traditions while also incorporating new influences and responding to contemporary challenges.

In contrast, isolating communities from outside influences may limit cultural growth and exchange, ultimately leading to stagnation. Similarly, an approach that seeks to return to traditional practices without changes ignores the necessary evolution that cultures undergo and can result in a loss of relevance. Replacing old cultural elements with entirely new practices could also lead to the erosion of important cultural identities and histories, undermining the very essence of what cultural sustainability aims to achieve.