Cultural heritage policy. The Alto Douro wine region - World Heritage Site. Is there an argument for reinforcing the role of the state?

Abstract

In this paper we trace the emergence of a specific case of cultural policy: the example chosen is a UNESCO World Heritage site, namely the Alto Douro Wine Region (ADW) a portuguese living and evolving cultural landscape. In order to contextualize the particularities of the means that have been adopted for the management of the ADW, we use Throsby's (2001) typology of most commonly-used cultural heritage policy instruments. Additionally we draw on the arguments that are frequently used to support public intervention in this sphere. We conclude that ADW's management policy should: 1) use binding agreements to operational- ize a range of measures that compensate farmers who become providers of cultural products; 2) strengthen education and information so as to promote greater physical access and personal appreciation of the ADW's cultural goods and services; and 3) formulate an integrated set of social policies able to mitigate the negative socio-demographic trends that characterize the region and its population.