Residents' Appreciation of Cultural Heritage in Tourist Centres: A Microsimulation Modelling Approach to Amsterdam

This paper addresses the question of the value attached by residents to the wealth of cultural heritage in their city. Particular attention is given to the impact of various types of information (ranging from traditional to advanced ICT sources) on residents' valuation of cultural heritage. Based on an extensive survey among inhabitants of Amsterdam, a two-stage analytical approach is adopted: (i) an econometric (ordered logit) modelling approach to identify the most prominent vectors of residents' appreciation of cultural heritage; and (ii) a microsimulation modelling approach to generate a comprehensive picture of the value set of inhabitants regarding the cultural heritage in their city. The information obtained may serve as the basis for urban strategies with regard to tourism policy, cultural heritage planning and information services management