For more than 25 years, I have been leading a fieldwork project in the Italian region of Apulia. Initially, this project focused on the study of the long-term history of this region and especially on the influence of various waves of colonisation (especially by Greeks and Romans). Archaeological excavations were the main source. Gradually, we also began to focus on the modern landscape and the transformation processes it is currently undergoing. These include the energy transition and the rise of windmills and solar panels, as well as urbanisation, immigration and tourism. We are working on these kinds of major social issues together with local municipalities, provinces and other interest groups. In particular, we are exploring the contribution that heritage and history can make to these issues. We are inspired by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, in particular: reducing inequality in social systems and economic structures (SDG 10), making communities more inclusive and sustainable (SDG 11) and reducing conflict by improving governance systems (SDG 16). These are also the starting points of the larger European Marie Curie project Heriland which I coordinate and that studies similar cases in Europe with 15 PhD candidates. Innovative ways of valorising heritage are central to this project.

Apulia is one of the core areas of the Heriland project. Here, among other things, we have transformed an extensive archaeological area into a landscape reserve, a multifunctional space for theatre and music festivals, storytelling and workshops and also a large organic horticultural zone. In addition, we are investigating how local perspectives on landscape and heritage can be translated into concrete spatial plans. To this end, we organise workshops with politicians, policy makers and planners, but especially with the local population. We are developing new digital and analogue methods to harmonise plans, visions and opinions. The ultimate goal is to use heritage in sustainable spatial development.

Gert-Jan Burgers