Lessons from Island of Mozambique on limits of acceptable change

This paper recalls the eternal dilemma between transformation and protection. It argues on the assumption that protection is a challenging form of transformation, instead of being opposites, as often echoed in cultural heritage management. Follows a plea for more exact global targets on the protection of cultural heritage, elaborated into an introduction to the notion limits of acceptable change, and particular trends on its application. Next, this paper discloses the lessons learned from a case study on the Island of Mozambique, in Mozambique, with particular attention to the application of limits of acceptable change in urban planning, and the subsequent impact on the protection of its cultural (World) heritage. The conclusions recall the reality of applying such limits, and end recommending a roadmap towards the sustainable urban development of Island of Mozambique