El Patrimonio como motor de desarrollo social, cultural y económico en el ámbito rural: el modelo de Aroche (Huelva)

Abstract

Aroche is a small rural inland municipality integrated into the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park. Since 2004 the City Council has been developing a municipal project called “Heritage Project”, aimed at investigating, protecting, conserving and socializing its important historical-archaeological heritage. This comprehensive heritage management project, developed by the closest administration, is linked to the search for engines of socio-economic and cultural development in the municipality, from a sustainable perspective, balanced and respectful of the environment, reinforcing the collective and territorial identity with the intention to fix the population and avoid the dreaded depopulation, which will not only end a way of life, but also the heritage that they have accumulated over the centuries. Heritage Management must integrate political, institutional, professional and social responsibilities in a balanced way and must not be at odds with economic, cultural and social profitability, as long as the four links of the value chain are met: research, protection, conservation and socialization.