Abstract
The focus of this paper is a case study on the municipality of San Javier in Spain. The aim of the analysis was to provide a working model for the integration of the assessment and conservation of built heritage into broader projects devoted to the sustainable restoration of natural spaces undergoing evident declines in habitability. With a population of 31,905, San Javier is located on the edge of the Mar Menor, which is one of the largest permanent salt water lagoons in the Mediterranean. It forms part of the coastal region of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. San Javier is one of four municipalities that administer this unique ecosystem. However, despite being designated as a protected natural site since its 14 beaches are one of the most important national and international tourist destinations in this Autonomous Community, since 2016, it has suffered one of the worst environmental crises in its history. One of the outcomes of this situation is that the government bodies involved have begun to seek new models for the area’s complete regeneration that would enable sustainable growth and also include the social and economic sectors that have, to date, played a secondary role in managing the area. In this regard, cultural heritage should play a key role. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the region’s cultural heritage, despite the complex issues involved in its management, especially for the local administrative bodies, can contribute to the creation of new models for regeneration. Besides the added value of cultural prestige provided by this area’s unique cultural landscape, which is a further legacy of the region’s history and artistic development, engaging with cultural heritage facilitates the revival of traditional systems that contribute to environmental improvement. Finally, this paper provides tools that enable local groups, and, above all, the residents themselves, to identify with the values of their cultural heritage.
Highlights
The municipality of San Javier is located on the edge of the Mar Menor, which is located in Spain’s Murcia region, and is one of the largest permanent salt water lagoons in Europe
Tlthuurasl, the state coordinates the interventions in the assets that are under its jurisdiction, which include cultural heritage sites located on the peninsular coast
The state has particular influence on the public domain, both on land and at sea, as stipulated by the powers assigned to the Secretary of State for the Environment, which cover the coasts, the sea, and the continental waters
Summary
The municipality of San Javier is located on the edge of the Mar Menor, which is located in Spain’s Murcia region, and is one of the largest permanent salt water lagoons in Europe It is a medium-sized town, which, according to the 2018 census [1], had a population of 31,905, the trend toward seasonal fluctuation in its population during the summer months has become pronounced. The rapid development of tourism since 1950 has alarmingly transformed the traditional urban landscape This has been due, firstly, to the high demand for second homes [3] intended primarily for seasonal use (the municipality of San Javier generates 10,145 jobs in the service sector and almost 700 in the building sector), and secondly, the lack of planning with regard to the public and private infrastructures that drain into the lagoon
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