TERRITORIAL HERITAGE: THEORETICAL APPROACHES AND METHODOLOGICAL INDICATIVES FOR TERRITORIAL STUDIES

Abstract

Territorial heritage is conceived here as the set of assets and resources, both material and immaterial, that have accumulated throughout history in a given territory, resulting from historical processes of socioeconomic and cultural construction and reconstruction, in relation to the environmental environment. It includes both elements inherited from the distant past, and those that constantly overlap the territory. Despite its importance, the topic is still little studied in Brazil and Latin America. In order to amplify its dissemination to researchers and students and instigate new investigations, the available literature was used, explaining the main theoretical approaches on heritage, territorial heritage and patrimonialization, including, also, critical views. Additionally, suggestions for questions that may motivate further investigations are presented. We managed to access dozens of publications, and the main theoretical contributions come from authors who are affiliated with the line of thought of the Italian Territorialist School. Based on the concepts of the referential authors, it can be concluded that taking territorial heritage as a starting point and guideline in the planning or elaboration of localized development strategies is to follow the path to overcome sectoral analyzes and move towards a return to the territory, or that is, we adopt a territorial approach to development.