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Landscape and Heritage. 

An  opportunity for sustainable development 

 

 

FEDERICO SALMERÓN ESCOBAR 

Viva Eastpart International Expert 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Contents  

 

 

 

 

 

BACKGROUND, TWO DIFFERENT REGIONS. A SINGLE METHODOLOGY?.................................... 4 

MAIN KEYS TO REGENERATE AN AREA. THE EXPERIENCE OF GUADIX. FIRST STEPS. ......................................... 6 

THE NEED FOR URBAN PLANNING. ACTION PLAN .............................................................................................. 7 

INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP GUADIX. ............................................................ 9 

R

 

ESULTS ACHIEVED............................................................................................................................................ 11 

 

 

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BACKGROUND, TWO DIFFERENT REGIONS. A SINGLE METHODOLOGY? Dilijan is a heritage city with valuable historical buildings, located on a hillside near the river

connecting the region with the right balance between landscapes and urban development. This city

is located within the National Park Dilijan in Armenia, with great potential heritage, culture and

landscape.

Dilijan National Park of great environmental value for natural biodiversity and ecological forests,

large lakes, rivers, woodland that together represent a natural and landscape incalculable value to

Armenia.

Dilijan National Park. Armenia

If this is joined by the various monasteries existing in this National Park (Goshavank, Hagartsin and

others) which itself are mini-towns, and certainly at the time constituted a network of "cities"

religious connected to each other, and were supported by small towns, we could say without a

doubt that Dilijan National Park has all the qualities to become a heritage resource.

 

 

In which you can raise sustainable development strategies: cultural-tourism-heritage-landscape.

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Goshavank and Hagartsin Monasteries National park Dilijan

Giving a small turn and spatial change, we focus on the experience and methodology used in the

Guadix region located in Andalusia, Spain. It is a very different territory of Dilijan, could mean less

attractive from the point of view of nature, is an area where there are no forests for water scarcity

and therefore there are no lakes or rivers and large green areas such as we find in Dilijan, is an arid

region, almost desert… but of great landscape value being near the mountains of Sierra Nevada.

Despite territorial differences Dilijan and Guadix, which we will deepen further, the question is: can

we regenerate spaces, territories applying similar intervention methodologies? My answer is

positive and I think that despite the differences can be reached using similar methods, although the

actions and projects must be different.

Calahorra Castle and Guadix Landscape. Andalusia. Spain

 

 

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MAIN KEYS TO REGENERATE AN AREA. THE EXPERIENCE OF GUADIX. FIRST STEPS.  

 

The region of Guadix, is nucleated around Guadix city of about 20,000 inhabitants, which has a

here is a Renaissance period Cathedral. This case

is very unique in Andalusia (and which is not often

the construction of a cathedral in a small town),

which shows the enormous importance it had

Guadix from the XV-XIX century, in addition

preserved ancient walls of the Alcazaba from the

Islamic period. Guadix is therefore a city of great

historical value.

historic center of great historical value, because t

Guadix region in the years 80-90 presented major problems:

• Inappropriate construction and the neglect of outlying areas threaten the urban culture and

• st pressing problems are long-term unemployment.

ological values in

• te environmental

• ment densities of

• e of 7,200€ per capita, which is lower than the Andalusia average.

The Regional Government of Andalusia anticipated actions for strengthening rural development

policies, setting of their objective to improve the quality of life of the Andalusia people with special

However

the local environment.

In social terms : the mo

• Property speculation causing an increase in building density and loss of typ

the region of the cave houses located in the northern part of the province.

In the population centers there are accessibility issues and inadequa

management, both in terms of water and municipal solid waste treatment.

Low population density well below the average Andalusia provincial environ

19 Habitants/Km2.

A gross family incom

 

 

attention to rural areas, and overcoming economic imbalances based on social and cultural relations

between different territorial areas of Andalusia.

In 1991 LEADER Community (EU) initiative starts Pag. | 7 

and it creates a new trail of optimism among the

inhabitants of rural areas, strengthens regional identity as an element of progress and revalues the

has as fundamental principle: Sustainability Strategy: Regenerating the

Enviroment and Heritage (LEADER Methodology), which is developed with the following steps:

• Action Plan.

ment Group Guadix.

are the primary decision makers.

quality of life in rural areas.

The Project Guadix County

• Urban Plan: City, Environment, Region

• Innovative Management: Rural Develop

• Participation: Stakeholders

• Integrated regional system: Networking

Urban plan: Regional and environment

 

out these documents is very

ifficult to create a regeneration strategy that is planned. This means you can have the opposite

formed from the deep

knowledge of the environmental, urban, social, cultural, economic ... We need to "know" in order to

THE NEED FOR URBAN PLANNING. ACTION PLAN

Urban planning: city, territory and landscape is essential and basic, with

d

effect: the destruction of sites by uncontrolled urban development or aggressive actions and rural

tourism with the environment. Urban and territorial plans must order the activity to ensure the

Protection of heritage, environment and culture of these regions- territories.

The intervention in an area as complex and difficult needs to be per

 

 

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diagnose and projecting the necessary solutions that can recover fully the region with the active

participation of residents, companies and groups. What we call "Action Plan" to address the problem

not only regional, but all other aspects that will ensure improved quality of life of its inhabitants and

sustainable development of the region.

The singularity of each territory makes that there is no predetermined screenplay but a common

working methodology. This makes each project is different and specific performance according to

• Analyze the regional impact - economic, social, heritage, environmental, individual.

ritize) the problems. (Weaknesses, Menaces, Strengths, Opportunities)

plans among the several entities that will be involved in the defined actions.

articipation.

Thi c g sustainability in the countryside, has

een characterized by: open new channels of development: innovative, sustainable, integrated; the

ources and adopting a methodology that has

rovided the population with a capacity to respond to the changes that are under the rural world.

the characteristics of the regions, adapted to the needs, problems and demands. This "Action Plan"

consists of the following main parts:

• Define the Scope.

• Diagnose (and prio

• Set targets.

• Define specific actions to remedy the identified problems. (Integral actions)

• Coordinate the

• Project a time line for implementation (of the proposed actions).

• Estimated required financial resources.

• Administrative commitment.

• Develop systems for public and private p

s A tion Plan Guadix, has the main objective of promotin

b

consolidation of decentralized management model: Rural Development Groups and the

complementarity between all programs in the territory.

This model has allowed us to optimize all available res

p

 

 

Pag. | 9 INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP GUADIX.

Rural Development Group Guadix are independent nonprofit entities whose purpose is to contribute

to local and rural development in their area. And they have the following characteristics:

• A Non-profit Association

• Promotes rural and economic development of the region;.

• Composed of private entities with a legal personality.

• Composed of public and private partners;.

• Has a democratic structure with open membership for qualified groups.

• Manages public (Regional Government and EU) and private funds.

• Responsible for awarding study and development grants to entrepreneurs for projects that

affect the development of the region.

Limits the involvement of government and public entities in the decision-making process by not

allowing public contributions to exceed 49% of a project budget. The balance of power in decision-

making is biased toward the stakeholders, the private companies, as they always have a

percentage higher than 51%.

Rural Development Group Guadix, includes some 150 partners:

• Public: 32 municipalities, Andalusia Regional Government , The Provincial Council of

Granada.

• Private (stakeholders) : Chamber of Commerce of Granada, Granada Business

Confederation, Federation of Worker Cooperatives, Business Andalusian, Federation of

Agricultural Cooperatives, Bishop of Guadix, Guadix Foundation 2020, Regulatory Council of

the DO, Oil Montes de Granada, C.C.O.O, A.S.A.J.A, C.O.A.G, F.E.A.N.S.A.L, Women and

Cultural territory, Agrarian Cooperatives, several county associations (Tourism, Artisans,

Entrepreneurs in general) and a large number of companies from various sectors of the local

economy.

The key to this methodology is the decision of the projects and actions are performed by the

stakeholders those deciding the main priorities of projects and actions to perform. It is a very

important change of mind, as the administration is not that decides but businesses and companies.

 

 

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Another important key is that there is no "great actions" with a strong budget, which originates

geographical concentration of projects, preventing create a networking and to be distributed in the

region. There are projects with a total investment of € 150,000 others however are € 6,000

depending on the characteristics of the actions. Investments are funded at 60% by public funds

(Andalusia + European Union) 40% by private. The average investment each year € 1.5 million.

The objectives are the Rural Development Groups Guadix are:

• Promote activities aimed at increasing the employment in the Guadix region.

• Ensure the development of rural areas with economic diversification.

• Promote Networking systems within the County.

• Allows the people settings in the territory.

• Promote and participate in international development projects.

• Put the basis for a model and plan which is sustainable and harmonious with the natural

environment, and which is agreed with the social and economic of the region, in order to create

jobs and wealth in the territory of action.

Regional network Cave-Hotels or Rural-Hotels

 

 

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To achieve its objectives, the Rural Development Group Guadix performs the following activities

(integral actions):

• Promotion of all means of integration of the population in the rural development process, so that

of the Association is constituted as a vehicle of expression of the interests and needs of key

economic sectors of the region.

• Providing Information and advice to business initiatives through technical assistance, market

research, collaboration plans, and any other measure that complements local business

initiatives.

• To design, develop and implement any actions or activities necessary to achieve empowerment

and revitalization of all sectors of the local economy.

• To promote, support and encourage all kinds of activities for the enhancement and protection of

heritage: Cultural, artistic, historical, architectural and natural.

• To organize, coordinate and perform activities such as seminars, conferences, workshops,

research and studies relating to development problems. Also to perform all kinds of support

written material, visual or electromagnetic, specialized, or merely didactic legislature.

• To design, develop and implement of vocational training courses, training, craft, school

workshops, employment workshops and any actions that improve the level of qualifications of

the Region.

RESULTS ACHIEVED. The group Guadix rural development has been a key element in the social and economic

revitalization of the region of Guadix. The management of rural development programs has been an

important economic resource entry in the territory, which has led to social, environmental, cultural

and productive.

The social aspect is the creation and consolidation of more than 300 jobs, making it possible to

contribute to the establishment of the population in the territory. It has also done important work on

social dynamics, which has resulted in numerous professional associations, based on cultural,

women and youth approaches. As an example, perhaps the most significant has been the creation

of the Federation of Women's Associations of the District of Guadix "Sulyar", which brings together

more than 25 women's associations in the region. Very many programs and training activities on

various topics have been an argument for strengthening the county productive sectors (tourism,

 

 

viticulture etc.) And actions to promote gender and youth approaches in the development process

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We are in an area with exceptional environmental values and a high degree of conservation, the

enhancement of these resources has always been one of the strategies of the Group, which has

collaborated on the dynamic process for the preparation and participation of Sustainable

Development Plans of the Natural Parks of Sierra Nevada, Sierra de Baza and Sierra de Huetor.

We have worked closely with the National and Natural Park of Sierra Nevada, providing technical

and logistical support in the grant of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism.

The result of this work has been the accreditation Park information points at various tourist

establishments in the territory and the inclusion of some of our facilities to the second phase of the

CETS. Many routes have been signposted in the region and has edited various educational and

informative material on natural resources.

 

 

Pag.As important as this is for Cultural Heritage, the artistic and historical heritage, architectural heritage,

festivals, cuisine, crafts and traditional knowledge in this area have a wealth of knowledge and

dignified survival, protection and dissemination. In this sense, it has supported rehabilitation

activities or development of iconic elements based on the following resource areas:

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• Troglodytism

• Megalithic

• Arab Heritage

• Mudejar Architecture

• Monumental Guadix.

 

 

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The issue of numerous publications and audiovisual material related to cultural heritage is also

relevant. Finally, on a productive level it is to be stressed the creation of 32 new companies since

2000, the award of grants totaling € 7,468,000 and the generation a total investment of € 19.6

million. The Group's work has focused on the commitment of its partners to quality of products and

services, as well as to provide technical assistance to agro-tourism enterprises for them to

implement quality systems. Likewise the Group has supported businesses throughout the county

especially prioritizing sectorial and territorial diversification and focusing on innovative and future

projects.