ADRIASCAPES. ENGAGING HERITAGE COMMUNITIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ADRIATIC HISTORIC LANDSCAPES

Landscapes are the result of human interaction with the natural world and encapsulate distinctive cultural and historical meanings linked to certain territories. Landscapes as historical entities are however poorly known and the lack of awareness of this cultural potentiality is leading to the loss of their diversity, coherence and identity. In certain marginal territories such as islands, areas close to river sanctuaries, inland marshal or mountainous spaces, historical landscapes are better preserved because their economic marginal character as well as a very limited (but intense) touristic use concentrated in the months of July and September has prevented destruction. Common Challenge of the programme that Adriascapes is jointly tackling is to increase the quality of high quality tourism in marginal areas and therefore their economic development by promoting knowledge and accessibility to the concept of Adriatic Historical Landscapes. The overall objective of this project is to increase appreciation of historical landscapes and consequently their value as an economic sustainable resource