Workshop on Risk Management and Cultural Heritage in Val Resia

This event brought together experts, local institutions, and community members to discuss the crucial role of cultural heritage in resilience to natural disasters and climate change.

Introduction and Objectives of the Workshop

The workshop began at 9:30 AM with an introductory session that presented the participants and the objectives of the meeting. The event was moderated by Romagnoli Federica, Fontanella Pisa Paola, Oberti Benedetta, and Chiara Mioni, researchers from Eurac Research with expertise on heritage management, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies. The main objective was to create an environment for exchanging ideas on the role of cultural heritage as a key resource for addressing natural hazards and climate change, reflecting on the strengths and needs of the territory.

Structure of the Workshop

The workshop was structured into three main activities, each focused on a different temporal aspect: past, present, and future.

1. Activity 1 - Past: Participants worked in groups to identify elements of cultural heritage that helped the Val Resia community cope with extreme natural phenomena in the past. Maps and timelines were used to highlight places, traditions, and techniques for managing natural resources.
2. Activity 2 - Present: Groups analyzed current threats, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the community in managing natural hazards. Each group chose a significant natural event and worked on a threat matrix to assess the current resilience of the community.
3. Activity 3 - Future: Participants imagined future scenarios for 2050, discussing how the cultural heritage of Val Resia could be enhanced to increase community resilience. Examples of good practices were presented to stimulate imagination and facilitate the creation of future scenarios.

Conclusions and Next Steps

The workshop concluded with a final discussion session and the presentation of the next steps. Participants reflected on how the information gathered during the workshop would be used to develop risk management strategies that integrate cultural heritage. A future workshop to return the results to the Val Resia community was also announced.

The Importance of Participation

This workshop represented a unique opportunity to interact and engage with institutions, experts, and local associations, sharing experiences on the impacts of climate change and promoting the cultural heritage of Val Resia as a fundamental resource for community resilience. Active participation allowed for the identification of priorities for land management and the development of recommendations for future interventions to enhance cultural heritage. The event was a success, demonstrating the importance of collaboration between communities, institutions, and researchers to address the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters.