CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES

pp.400, brossura, cm. 17x24 con illustrazioni in b/n e a colori The theme of this volume is the principle that the real unity of Europe lies in the history of the civilisation and socio-economic and cultural processes that have marked its development. Considering that the history of Europe is bound to the sea, i.e. that its identity lies precisely in the maritime and coastal origins of its civilisation and in its constant openness towards the new, the volume traces the memory and the historic, cultural, environmental and economic values of European regions with coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea (Europe’s "gateway" to the rest of the world). It focuses on the wealth and variety of cultural elements (monuments, archaeological sites, architecture, intangible heritage such as music and literature, cultural and natural landscapes, etc.), that enrich Mediterranean regions. Such culture is seen as a critical factor in regional development on which to base promotion strategies, remodelling the regional tourism of the countries involved. The purpose of the volume is to facilitate the rediscovery of a common identity among Mediterranean countries, with a view to making local communities more aware of the cultural heritage of their regions and of the value of this heritage in terms of the opportunities it provides for local development.