Problem issues of public participation in heritage conservation: Geo-mining park in Sardinia

Abstract

Public participation and bottom-up approach have spread across the field of heritage since last two decades. Theory and practice about heritage conservation note strengthening the local capacitiesoverrecognition and inclusion of local communities in the decision-making processas vital for more sustainable development. UNESCO proclaims theuniversal value of the Geo-mining Park in Sardinia in 1997. The institutionalisation by Regional Decree in 2006 gave onadministrative and legislative opportunities, but socio-economic crisis and neglecting of mining landscape still follows the decaying trend. The paper aims to examine the problematic issues of public participation in heritage conservation facing the case of Geo-mining Park in Sardinia. The paper highlights the importance of public participation in heritage conservation and the role of local communities in the decision-making process through the theoretical framework. Additionally, participation process as an integrated heritage conservation approach delineates the features that give a unique character and provide the sense of belonging that lies at the core of thecultural identity of the heritage site. Furthermore, the paper introduces Geo-mining Parkin Sardinia picturing the problematic issues about public participation rise in the foundation process, and that left the consequences until nowadays. An overview of theorganisational structure, principles of making-decision, the role and recognition of local communities and collaboration patterns pictured the contextual problems illustrating the current governing structure. The paper found that the complicated institutionalisation process of Sardinia case demonstrates top to down institutional efforts from the foundation process without responding the needs of the civic sector. Lack of an effective public participation mechanism and exclusion of the civicsector from making-decision process detached the people from the landscape and contributed to the loss of identity.Accordingly, to the identified problem issues, implications and recommendations about the participation process are made in conclusion.