Bridging Heritage and Citizens: A Methodological Consultation-Based Approach

ABSTRACT

This study stems from the contemporary need to establish a connection between heritage and citizens, a fundamental element in heritage preservation and a safeguard for authenticity and identity values.¹ The study bridges the gap between theory and practice by proposing a methodology based on diagnosis and subsequent proposals to bring heritage closer to the local population. The case study used for this purpose has been the city of Seville, Spain, and it primarily focuses on built heritage and the Historic Urban Landscape. The methodology outlined in this article comprises three phases: (1) Survey and Data Collection, involving the design and implementation of a perception-focused survey; (2) Results Analysis and Evaluation, where the obtained data is statistically analysed, subsequently evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively with a proposed a KPI system; (3) Strategic Planning: finally, as a final outcome, the study utilises the previous evaluation to formulate objectives and an action plan to enhance the local community’s heritage relationship. It is expected that the proposed methodology for this case study will be applicable to other similar contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• Citizen engagement
• local heritage
• strategic planning
• urban heritage conservation
• historic Urban landscape
• seville case study
• social welfare
• UNESCO
• municipal buildings
• social management of cultural heritage

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. (Council of Europe 2005); (UNESCO 2011) and (ICOMOS 2022). These main texts represent international objectives to recognise, protect, and promote cultural heritage as an invaluable resource for society in the contemporary context. They aim to establish global guidelines for sustainable heritage management and promote responsible cultural tourism that respects cultural diversity and contributes to sustainable development.

2. The UNWTO data dashboard “Global and Regional Tourism Performance” monitors global tourism trends and performance. https://www.unwto.org/tourism-data/global-and-regional-tourism-performance

3. UNESCO, “Cutting Edge Bringing Cultural Tourism Back in the Game”.

4. The study by Yamada et al. (2011) underscores the intricate relationship between various aspects of urban life and overall life satisfaction. It highlights the significance of health perception, wealth, safety, community cohesion, and cultural enrichment in shaping individuals’ contentment with their lives. Understanding and addressing these domains could be pivotal in enhancing the well-being of urban populations.

5. Adie and Falk, 2021 (Liberatore et al. 2022).

6. Macías et al., 2021, 314.

7. This work from Lefebvre (2014) “Toward an Architecture of Enjoyment” is a main reference in this field because it explores the relationship between architecture and everyday life, advocating for an approach to urban design that promotes citizen participation, the appropriation of public spaces for collective enjoyment, and the idea of returning the city to its citizens.

8. Cocola-Gant, 2020 and Lopez-Gay and Öztürk Büke, 2023.

9. Regarding gentrification and touristification, the study by Jover and Díaz-Parra (2020) examines the situation in Seville.

10. The book by Bandarin and van Oers (2012), “The Historic Urban Landscape: Managing Heritage in an Urban Century,” offers a comprehensive exploration of modern heritage and landscape conservation, navigating the complexities of preserving historical landscapes in contemporary urban contexts.

11. UNESCO, “Recommendation of Historic Urban Landscape,” 2011. https://whc.unesco.org/en/hul/

12. Wang and Gu, 2020.

13. Huttunen et al., 2012, 105.

14. The Council of Europe, through its 2005 “Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society,” emphasises the significance of cultural heritage for society. In line with this, studies like Waterton (2015) explore the relationship between heritage and community involvement, while Hodges and Watson (2000) –prior to this document – propose strategies for community-based heritage management, providing valuable insights and setting a research agenda.

15. The study by Khalid et al. (2019, 2) “Community Empowerment and Sustainable Tourism Development: The Mediating Role of Community Support for Tourism” defends that it is crucial to adopt a creative approach and develop an appropriate model to ensure Sustainable Tourism Development (STD) in developed countries, considering the implementation of community-based tourism and its various elements beyond economic benefits.

16. Hanafiah et al., 2021, 96.

17. However, overtourism is also an important risk. For example, the study “The Impact of Tourism on Residents” Intention to Stay. A Qualitative Comparative Analysis’ (Scarpi et al. 2019, 4) shows the benefits but also warns that “under pressure from over-tourism, residents leave, unable to sustain the stressful living condition”.

18. ICOMOS, “International Charter for Cultural Heritage Tourism (2022)” https://www.icomos.org/images/DOCUMENTS/Secretariat/2023/CSI/eng-spa_ICHT_Charter.pdf

19. Millar, 1989, 10.

20. Erkan (2018) and Grazuleviciute-Vileniske et al. (2021), these studies underscore the importance of integrating heritage considerations into urban development practices to promote sustainability.

21. Li and Hunter’s (2015) “Community Involvement for Sustainable Heritage Tourism” proposes a conceptual model emphasising community engagement in heritage tourism for sustainability. Fernández Tabales and Santos Pavón’s (2018) “The Challenging Coexistence Between Urban Landscape and Tourism” offers a classification of conflicts and regulatory proposals based on the analysis of local regulations, aiming to address the complex relationship between urban landscapes and tourism. Both studies, despite of their different contexts, underscore the importance of recognising cultural identity and authenticity in achieving sustainable tourism practices.

22. Zhang et al., 2023, 139.

23. In response to the new context provided by COVID-19 crisis, Seabra and Bhatt (2022) investigate potential positive impacts on tourism sustainability, while Roigé, Arrieta-Urtizberea, and Seguí (2021) analyse the resilience and challenges of intangible heritage in Spain during the pandemic.

24. Abdul (Aziz et al. 2020), 125–131.

25. Ebejer, 2019, 306–20.

26. Rasoolimanesh and Jaafar (2016) and Del Espino Hidalgo (2016) together, these studies highlight the significance of community participation in shaping sustainable tourism and safeguarding cultural heritage at both rural and urban levels.

27. Various studies have shed light on enhancing urban heritage experiences. Vicente-Gilabert et al.‘s (2022) GIS-based approach crafts engaging heritage routes. Tubadji and Nijkamp (2018) explore the impact of tourism on cultural connections. Llurdés, Diaz Soria, and Romagosa (2016) uncover synergies between mining heritage and local tourism in Cardona. Kádár and Klaniczay (2022) advocate for branding heritage via urban festivals, demonstrated in Budapest. Meanwhile, Mascort-Albea et al. (2016) present an interactive cultural guide for mobile devices, enriching Sevilla’s UNESCO World Heritage status (2005).

28. Healy, Rau, and McDonagh, 2012, 450–71.

29. Yu, Leung, and Jiang, 2022, 2293.

30. The study by Huete-Alcocer, López-Ruiz, and Grigorescu (2019) examines – within the Spanish context – the satisfaction of cultural tourists visiting an archaeological heritage site. Findings reveal gender and income level significantly influence satisfaction levels. Insights aid in crafting sustainable tourism strategies, offering recommendations for service provision and heritage management enhancements.

31. The study by Nian et al. (2022) examines perceptions of tourism impact in Mount Sanqingshan National Park, a World Natural Heritage site, among 330 residents. Findings reveal perceived benefits positively influence place attachment and community satisfaction, while perceived costs negatively affect place attachment. Place attachment fully mediates between perceived tourist costs and satisfaction, partially mediates with benefits, and positively influences community satisfaction. The ‘SHE-ABC’ framework proposed offers theoretical and practical guidance for sustainable development in World Heritage Sites.

32. Ibáñez-Alfonso, 2024.

33. Hidalgo-Sánchez et al., (2022, 426–58) and official document: Ayuntamiento de Sevilla, “Plan Director del Patrimonio Histórico Municipal de Sevilla”. https://www.urbanismosevilla.org/ficheros/pdf/plan-director-de-patrimonio

34. The questionnaire has been created following the recommendations from Meneses and Rodríguez-Gómez (2011) guide El Cuestionario y La Entrevista.

35. Molina et al., 2023.

36. Op. Cit. 11.

37. (Council of Europe 2005). “Faro Convenction”. https://www.coe.int/en/web/culture-and-heritage/faro-convention

38. Huete-Alcocer, López-Ruiz, and Grigorescu, 2019.

39. Main texts (UNESCO 1972); (UNESCO 1976); (UNESCO 2011); (UNESCO 2020).

40. Op. Cit. 33.

41. Labrador, 2022 and (Yonggoo 2022).

42. Some references are (Whyton 2020; Morales-Pereyra and Jimenez-Martinez 2021); López-Sánchez et al., 2022.

43. Mele et al., 2021, 300–316.

44. Zhao et al., 2021, and (Weng, Liang, and Bao 2020).

45. Caro et al., 2015, 931–41.

46. The study by López Sánchez and Vicente Gilabert (2023, 6822–42) presents a method for creating heritage narratives in the territory scale based on the relationships between heritage items and landscape. This network-based strategies can implement new ways of showing and disseminating heritage in relation to its context.

47. May, 2020, 71–86.

48. Huibin and Marzuki, 2012, 105.

49. Giaccone and Bonacini, (2019, 341–54). This article is an example of the use of ITCs in the tourism management. It examines SMART tourism, emphasising digital storytelling platforms for cultural heritage promotion. It investigates izi.TRAVEL, particularly its app, showcasing a participatory project in Sicily (#iziTRAVELSicilia), where locals act as digital guides. It demonstrates effective cultural content cocreation and sustainability in tourism, offering theoretical insights and practical applications for policymakers and tourism management strategies. Another interesting example is the VIDA-HTL app, designed at the University of Seville for territorial heritage tourism. This application facilitates the creation of cultural routes in the Lower Guadalquivir region. It can be explored in this link. https://vidahtl-unisevilla.hub.arcgis.com

50. These articles delve into improving accessibility and inclusion in cultural heritage environments. Partarakis et al. (2016) examine exhibit accessibility, Kosmas et al. (2020) explore social computing’s role, and Rix, Lowe, and Heritage Forum (2010) focus on inclusion for those with learning difficulties. They emphasise the imperative of making cultural sites universally accessible, fostering enriched cultural experiences for all.

51. (UNESCO 2011); (ICOMOS 2022); and (Council of Europe 2005).

52. Specifically, this study contributes to program 5 (socialization) of the mentioned Plan. See Op. Cit. 33.

53. Specifically, this research contributes to pillar 2, cluster 2 of the European strategy Horizon Europe (Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society). Link: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-2-culture-creativity-and-inclusive-society_en

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported under grant PID2020-119437RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and grant PDC2021-121563-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the “European UnionNextGenerationEU/PRTR. Also, translation was supported under grant XII Ayudas a la Internacionalización de la Investigación 2023 funded by the Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción (IUACC).First author acknowledges the grant FPU18/04853 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future”.