Includes bibliographical references and index.

pt. I Historical and Philosophical Background --
1.Place exploration: museums and the environment --
2.Place exploration: museums, identity, community --
3.Museums, community, environment: the emergence of the ecomuseum --
4.Ecomuseums: definitions, theoretical models and characteristics --
pt. II Ecomuseums: An Overview --
5.From theory to practice: ecomuseums in France --
6.Ecomuseums in continental Europe --
7.Ecomuseums in Britain, North America and Australia --
8.Ecomuseums in Africa and Central and South America --
9.Ecomuseums in the Middle East and Asia --
pt. III Re-evaluating The Ecomuseum --
10.Ecomuseum roles; ecomuseum futures.

This updated second edition reference work looks at recent developments in the field internationally and in terms of new theories and practices. The ecomuseum phenomenon has grown dramatically in recent years. There is now no one ecomuseum model, but a philosophy that has been adapted and moulded for use in a variety of situations. With many more ecomuseums being established, the international appeal and reach of the idea grows; these changes are reflected in the 'geographical' sections of this volume. Of particular significance is the rise in ecomuseology in India, China (including Taiwan), Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, as well as significant increases in Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Turkey. This edition has been updated to cover recent theories and practices that have resonance with ecomuseums, such as the notions of cultural landscapes, intangible cultural heritage, biosphere reserves, slow cities, slow food, ecovillages, and cultural tourism. It also looks at the huge changes in electronic communication that have led to notions of virtual ecomuseums and new approaches to making meaning of places and objects.