"Cultural
Landscape of Tuscany-Case Study of Orcia Valley"
Paola Falini, Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture,
Roma University
Natural and Cultural Park of the Orcia Valley is developed by 5 municipalities,
which has been served as a model for regional revaluation (1). By the management
plan based on steps of "recognition, conservation, evaluation, promotion,
and control", they promoted to conserve existing resources and sustainable
development. I will explain the strategy where categories of cultural values
were expanded and utilized in an integrated manner.
The Natural and Cultural Park of the Oricia Valley consists of 5 municipalities
in the southern Siena Province and near the border with Lazio Region. The park
includes 62.82% of agricultural areas and 35.59% of woodland, and small urban
areas. The landscape with rocky hills from the Middle Ages lasted until today.
The view was drawn by one of the Sienese artists of mid-age, as a symbol of "good
governance and management" (2, 3). We can see that people at the era promoted
agriculture, under the control of government, and at the same time, designed
beautiful landscape.
Other cultural resources of the area were various towns; one of them
controlled important streets from Roma to France, other small town was developed
in the Renaissance style by the Pope, and other town went through the hostility
between the Pope and Siena. Some examples of characteristic architecture were,
a Romanesque-style church, a small but important church among wheat fields,
farm on a small hill built between the end the mid-age and Renaissance Period
which became the basis of agricultural development of surrounding areas, a
hospital along the street which was used as a fortress, and accommodation built
in the last half of the 16th century under the protection of Medici family,
etc. The plan for the park listed cultural resources within the Siena Province,
and analyzed each site and characteristics. Then, the results were collected
into the data for each district (4). These movements were promoted by the law
called "Regulation for Natural and Cultural Parks, Natural Reserves and
ANPIL (Area Naturale Prottetta di Interesse Locale)". The law prompted
5 municipalities to respect whole master plan and to define their own master
plans respectively.
The designation process of Natural and Cultural Park of the Orcia Valley
was based on the plan. In 1988, general documents by 5 municipalities were
prepared, and that the plan for the entire province of Siena was made. The
province began to send off specialists and to offer economic support. The constitution
for Orcia was regulated in 1996; based on the agreement among Siena Province
and 5 municipalities, the framework of environmental and local plans were prepared,
and it was approved by Tuscany. The organizations and management systems for
the Orcia Valley has been provided based on these regulations.
After the steps of recognition, conservation, and evaluation as described
above, various promotional activities were conducted. The aims of the campaign
were as follows: 1. Development of sightseeing routes, to rediscover historical
and cultural values for tourism; 2. Revaluation of original agricultural products
with high quality, to be sold as local brand; 3. Fostering local culture by
supporting local small companies, as well as to promote international "agritourism" according
to local capacities. In 1999, the movement was launched around 8 pillars: environmental
and landscape protection, control of whole region, urban planning and public
project, promotion of tourism, culture and events, promotion of local production,
implementation of social welfare measures for old people, and improvement of
services based on the cooperation of 5 municipalities.
The projects realized between 1996 and 2004 spans festivals, improvement
of road networks and buildings, etc. These activities are based on supports
by municipalities, local banks, and EU, as well as private investments.
These efforts constituted various achievements. Abandoned local and agricultural
landscapes, are now productively and protectively managed, where roads are
being restored and improved. Each valuable buildings have been renovated in
consideration of relations with surrounding areas. The picture shows an example
of renovation, where a square converted into hot spring (5). Other examples
of renovation include that improvement of bicycle road, conversion from garden
of the 16th century into artistic square, etc. Tourists grew in number by the
promotion of tourism based on the local revaluation. The accommodations have
been improved and added by renovating existing buildings. The long-lasting
depopulation finally ceased, and young generations started to take major roles
in those projects. The economic activities by private sectors gradually became
independent from public supports.
In 2004, the Orcia Valley was inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage.
The reason of selection was that the valley was recognized as a fine example
of revaluation and reorganization of the landscape lasted from the Middle Ages,
and as aesthetic showcase of ideal of "good governance and management",
and for its contribution of the beauty of shape to idea for landscape in after
ages. It should be noted that economic activities through good management,
and beauty of landscape were both evaluated; in other words, from both economically
and ecologically. The achievement through continued activities also provided
common consciousness of inhabitants to support local activities of the Orcia
Valley.
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[Fig.1
The Natural and Cultural Park of the Orcia Valley] |
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[Fig.2 Landscape
of Crags] |
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[Fig.3
Picture of the Middle Ages] |
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[Fig.
4 Data List] |
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[Fig.5
Renovation of Square] |
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