Appendix A . Measurement Framework
A composite index that measures how productively an economy activates its heritage . turning deep cultural roots into regenerative economic capital while preserving what matters for future generations.
Three steps from raw data to a comparable, actionable score.
Collect raw data for all 20 indicators across the four pillars from national statistics, enterprise surveys, and cultural audits. Each indicator has a defined unit and target benchmark.
Normalise each indicator to a 0–100 scale relative to regional or global peers. Aggregate the five indicators per pillar into an equal-weight sub-index score for Heritage Capital, Identity Entrepreneurship, Cultural Innovation, and Continuity & Legacy.
Combine the four pillar scores into a single Amber Index using equal 25% weights (adjustable for context). Track change over time, benchmark against comparable economies, and identify policy leverage points.
Each pillar captures a distinct dimension of heritage-driven economic activity . together they form a complete picture.
Measures the direct economic contribution of heritage assets . their activation, preservation investment, and ability to attract visitors and participants.
Tracks the commercial ecosystems that root their value proposition in cultural identity . from startups to export brands to certified provenance networks.
Assesses the rate at which heritage is transformed through technology and creative collaboration into new products, experiences, intellectual property, and digital assets.
Evaluates the structures . corporate, civic, and communal . that ensure heritage is sustained across generations rather than consumed by a single economic moment.
In the baseline configuration each pillar contributes equally. Weights are adjustable when a specific policy question warrants emphasis on a particular dimension.
Where each pillar sub-index is normalised to 0–100 before aggregation. Weights may be adjusted by context; all four must sum to 1.00.
Adjust each pillar score to explore how different economic profiles translate into an Amber Index result. Scores are illustrative and normalised to 0–100.
The Amber Index draws on a layered stack of primary and secondary data. Consistent sourcing across comparator economies is essential for valid benchmarking.
GDP contribution, enterprise registration, employment in heritage sectors, and export composition data (HC-1, IE-1, IE-3).
Asset catalogues, activation status, adaptive reuse permits, and intangible heritage program records (HC-2, HC-3, HC-4).
Visitor arrivals segmented by heritage motivation, per-visitor spend in heritage contexts, and destination profiling (HC-5).
Early-stage funding rounds in identity-based sectors from Crunchbase, PitchBook, and national innovation agencies (IE-2, CI-4).
Trademark filings, design registrations, geographical indication applications, and provenance certification schemes (IE-4, CI-3).
Open dataset repositories, national AR/VR archive projects, and digital audience reach metrics for heritage experiences (CI-1, CI-5).
Systematic coding of heritage narrative disclosures across listed issuers, drawing on ESG reporting standards (CL-1).
Oral history programs, community archive participation, living heritage festival registries, and place continuity audits (CL-2, CL-3, CL-5).
Enterprise survival rates from company registries and chamber of commerce records, segmented by age cohort (CL-4).
Whether you are a government agency, development organisation, or research institution, we are building a pilot programme to run the Amber Index in partnership with early-adopter economies.