Sustainability of Events in Urban Historic Centers: The Case of Ouro Preto, Brazil

Promoters and planners of events must choose the most suitable venue by considering the creation and development of new venues or the use of previously established areas. The first option is feasible when established areas have a limited capacity. The second is attractive to most promoters, because the space already exists. If the space is, for example, an historic center, it has the potential to enhance the participants' experience. However, such spaces have inherent constraints, and their use may threaten local sustainability. This article examines the concept of sustainability as applied to urban historic centers and the creation and management of festivals and events. It investigates the need for strategic administration and key principles for the development of staging events in urban historic centers. This analysis is illustrated using the example of two events in the urban historic center of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, in Brazil.