Participative Models of the Valorization of Cultural Heritage. Example of the Island of Rab (Croatia)

Cultural landscapes represent a complex combination of natural and anthropogenic, material and immaterial elements which have been well-recognized as fundamental factors in the process of socialisation. However, there is a difference between principled positions on the value of cultural landscapes and the actual practices of their utilisation and protection. This paper presents the results of an interdisciplinary study of the impact of the transformations of cultural landscape of the island of Rab (Croatia) from a socio-spatial perspective. The research consists of spatial analysis of the transformations of the island’s physical space, changes of spatial context of its sacral architecture, as well as sociological research with the objective to evaluate attitudes of island’s residents and experts towards the value of island’s cultural landscape, its tangible and intangible elements, and its cultural heritage.

The results indicate the potential for sustainable development of the island based on its cultural, historical and natural heritage, but also insufficient recognition of education and sustainability as a way of preserving and using heritage for development purposes. Based on the results, a participative model of valorisation, preservation, and management of cultural heritage and cultural landscape is proposed.