Projects / Programmes
Cultural heritage – a medium for the introduction of sustainable development in a local space
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.04.00 |
Humanities |
Ethnology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S220 |
Social sciences |
Cultural anthropology, ethnology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.05 |
Humanities |
Other humanities |
Sustainable development, heritage, cultura, identity, heritage managment, tourism, agriculture
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
24302 |
PhD Jasna Fakin Bajec |
Ethnology |
Head |
2011 - 2014 |
276 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
This postdoctoral project focuses on a theoretical and applied definition of the role of cultural heritage in establishing sustainable development in a local space and the development of sustainable communities. The principal aim of the project is to contribute a new approach and introduce new techniques, using a case study, for use in the efforts of many international institutions, primarily UNESCO, and many international authors to show that heritage, which among other things represents a bridge between nature and the actions of people, can make an essential contribution towards facilitating sustainable development and making it more effective. Another goal of the project is to define the role of the humanities and social sciences in developing technologies for sustainable management and information and communication technologies, since in contrast to natural, mathematical, and technical sciences, which perform the actual sustainable economies, information, communication, and other innovative technologies, humanists and other social scientists assist in the application and implementation of these sustainable products and solutions in the real world: delivering them to the people who are the main agents of change in a natural landscape. By designing a methodology for transferring scientific developments into the specific local environment in which people live, the role of the humanities and social sciences will be redefined and extended. Although the importance of interdisciplinary research in the 21st century is increasingly emphasized, the role of the humanities and social sciences, despite their social importance, is frequently overlooked. In addition, the results obtained from the project’s research study will provide examples of suitable ways, paths, and possibilities for using heritage in establishing sustainable development, which is a goal of the UNESCO Committee for World Heritage as well as of other Slovenian and international institutions active in the management of cultural heritage in a global world.
Through a case study the project will provide an expert basis for designing the sustainable development of a Karst landscape. The planned activities will take place in the framework of the activities of local societies in the Karst, state institutions which are headquartered in the Karst, and the policies of municipal authorities in the Karst. Through the practice of the creation and use of heritage the key deficiencies and risks will be identified and the key advantages, opportunities and potential for the development of the Karst countryside will be highlighted. This is extremely important for the further development of the Karst region, since over the course of recent decades it has experienced degradation due to many negative practices. The findings of the ethnographic research on the history of the way of life on Karst farms and an evaluation of past practices based on modern views, practices, expectations, and expert guidelines will form a basis for designing sustainable programs for eco-farming, eco-tourism and other cultural activities. The expert bases for the sustainable development of the Karst countryside prepared will also represent important documentation for the creation of a protected area. Models of good practices can be used in comparable regions in other parts of Slovenia and the EU. Based on research to date by the author, which found that the local population is not taken sufficiently into consideration in development efforts and that development is dictated by municipal councilors who unfortunately are not sufficiently aware of the importance of valuing and preserving the natural environment and heritage, the project will also have significance for setting up a suitable information and communication technology for the establishment of successful cooperation among the expert public, state and municipal authorities , and local users.
Significance for science
This research, whose main purpose was to develop a theoretical and applied definition of the role of heritage in introducing sustainable development into a particular locality (the Karst, Upper Vipava Valley), had an important influence as in local place and as in developing of ethnographic and anthropologist applied science. Since the development role of heritage, in contrast to the socio-political and economic role, is only now being defined, including in the international environment, the project by means of a case study was contribute significantly towards its importance. The research proved that heritage practices can effectively help in constructing sustainable products in achieving the aims of sustainable policy, especially in resolving social, cultural and environment problems connected with forming territorial and social cohesion, networking of different sectors, intergeneration cooperation, ensuring the gender equality. As part of the project, new methodologies and techniques for the dissemination of theoretical knowledge into a real-world environment was proposed and tested in the field, and the most effective means of communication among the three actors in development: experts—national/local authorities—local population stroke—was introduced. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is also working towards the formulation of new, tested methods and techniques. The research also defined in more detail the role of the humanities and social sciences in sustainable policies and rural development, the creation of new jobs, and the search for solutions for better economic development (for example, in agriculture). Through a presentation of the results of the research at international conferences, symposia, and lectures in the framework of study visit, the project had the effect of raising the profile of Slovenian science abroad and enhance its standing among the international expert public.
Significance for the country
The project contributed in the development of the Karts and Upper Vipava valley countryside, since the results of the ethnographic study provided useful content and guidelines for the development of eco-farming and eco-tourism. The research also contributed towards the better cultural development of Slovenia, since as one of the activities expert assistance was available to local societies and active village communities in the field of preserving and making use of cultural heritage. At the same time, through cooperation with local residents, the project raised the awareness and information level regarding topics relating to cultural and natural heritage, ecological farming, and sustainable development. By offering expert assistance to local societies and village communities in Planina pri Ajdovščini the conditions for establishment of a sustainable community was created, which by means of dealing with heritage become more homogenous, connected, and therefore healthier. By means of a study of the way of life on Karst and Vipava valley farms material and non-material heritage in the field of agriculture was recorded, which could contribute significantly towards the preservation, recognition, use, and presentation of heritage for the purposes of forming regional and national identity. The project filled the gap in ethnological studies in the Karst and Vipava valley. The published monograph Procesi ustvarjanja kulturne dediščine: Kraševci med tradicijo in izzivi sodobne družbe/The processes of constructing cultural heritage: the Karst people between tradition and challenegs of contemporary society describes an important part of Karst cultural heritage for identification, market, and development purposes.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
