Co-developing heritage-led regeneration plans in rural areas: the RURITAGE methodology for community-based heritage management and planning

Participatory planning processes are commonly implemented in cities, while they are quite uncommon in rural areas. The H2020 RURITAGE project aims to turn rural areas in sustainable development demonstration laboratories, through the enhancement of their unique Cultural and Natural Heritage potential, by establishing a new heritage-led rural regeneration paradigm. The ambition is to provide all potentially interested rural areas with tailored co-design approaches and methods to develop their rural regeneration strategies. A new methodology, the so-called RURITAGE methodology for Community-based Heritage Management and Planning (CHMP) has been designed with a theoretical background and an operative programme to co-develop and co-implement heritage-led regeneration strategies in rural areas. This paper presents the first step of the CHMP methodology consisting in the establishment of the Rural Heritage Hub as a central innovation space at the intersection of social, cultural and technological innovation of rural areas. The Rural Heritage Hubs are contributing to develop a deep sense of ownership and responsibility among the inhabitants of rural areas, mainly through local engagement. Results are presented for the 6 rural areas across Europe identified as Replicators within the RURITAGE project.