The Museum Culture as a Means of Conjunction of the Urban and Rural Environment

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays, the conjunction of the urban and rural environment is one of the most critical needs and necessities of modern cities. This paper attempts to investigate the contribution of museum policies in this particular effort. A museum, as it has been proved by both international and Greek practices, can constitute a projecting space of the environment, nature, local products and daily routines as well as occupations that tend to disappear over time. By integrating elements of the natural environment, the production process of traditional and local products and even the actual agricultural products in the interior, the architectural space creates a hybrid system in which the urban built environment coexists with the agricultural landscape. Through a retrospection of museums (Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta, The Silk Museum in Soufli Evros, The Open Air Water Power Museum in Dimitsana Arcadia, The Rooftile and Brickworks Museum N.& S. Tsalapatas in Volos, The Museum of Marble Crafts in Pirgos, on the island of Tinos and the Museum of Traditional Occupations and Environment of Stymphalia in Korinthos) which are characteristic and successful attempts in the Greek domain, the potential and the dynamics of such museum tendencies is highlighted in an attempt to bring together urban and rural elements.