Heritage Designation and Urban Territorial Balance in Andalusia (Spain): An Approach towards Collaborative Methods in Rural Areas

Abstract

Numerous studies suggest that cultural heritage can be a powerful resource for local development when managed from the principles of sustainability and resilience. This paper aims to make a significant contribution to the designation of heritage assets. The case of the Andalusian region of southern Spain presents both qualitative and quantitative differences when a comparative study is made between urban centers, medium-sized cities, small towns, and rural areas. Subsequently, the paper proposes diverse methodologies to improve heritage designation in vulnerable territories through the incorporation of collaborative methods and digital humanities. The final objective is to conclude how to improve cultural heritage location and information processes to maximize social impact in areas suffering from aging and depopulation problems.

Keywords

• urban territorial balance
• heritage designation
• collaborative mapping
• documentation of cultural heritage
• cultural heritage databases
• territorial depopulation