Rural Landscape as Heritage: Reasons for and Implications of Principles Concerning Rural Landscapes as Heritage ICOMOS-IFLA 2017

In 2011,the ICOMOS-IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes(ISCCL)began the World Rural Landscapes Initiative(WRLI)project to develop a complete and systematic approach to cultural heritage for rural areas.Rural landscapes need further study in terms of methodology,operation and internationally recognised documents:protection and promotion,knowledge,methodology and management at international,national and local levels.The goals of the WRLI were:a principles text containing theoretical,methodological and operational criteria;a website;a glossary;an atlas of rural landscapes;and a general bibliography.The first goal has been achieved:Principles Concerning Rural Landscapes as Heritage was adopted as a doctrinal text by ICOMOS(2017).This paper presents the main cultural premises and contents of the Principles text:(I)the theoretical concepts of the‘Rural Landscape’and‘Rural Landscape as Heritage’;and(II)‘Action criteria’which guide the development of policies for rural landscapes as heritage and resources:knowledge,protection,sustainable management,communication and transmission of physical places and associated heritage values.This paper covers:the importance of time in policy strategy;the(false)contradiction of conservation and innovation and the concept of‘appropriate’transformation;the role of stakeholders;value recognition;knowledge;information;communication and public reception.