Heritage and development outside the metropolis: Discussing issues of attractiveness, growth, participation and sustainable development

The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution of heritage and participation to sustainable development in a postindustrial context. Special attention is paid to the problematic fields of attractiveness, growth and participation. New ways of working this field are called for.

The study relies on retrospectiveparticipatory observation, citizen participation and document analysis.

There is a complex relationship between experts and citizens/participants, and heritage and history are considered to be domains of experts. Therefore heritage projects have problems surviving the exodus of experts. Heritage is not perceived as asset for building new businesses by most citizens, but as values “out there”. Heritage may function as a meeting place, attracting different groups of people, but there are complex mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion. A model and a method are put forward for uniting experts and citizens, and driving the integration of heritage in other sectors of society to create innovative sustainability processes.

A single case study, taking place under special conditions. However, both the results and the context correspond well with similar studies.

Furthering of integration of heritage management and antiquarian actions in other societal sectors.

More stable networks of citizens/stakeholders and antiquarians.

A fairly large project involving a multitude of stakeholders and societal interests.