Cultural heritage in non-urban areas: identifying and understanding values

This article aims to study the values of cultural heritage acknowledged in non-urban areas when cultural heritage is considered a key factor for development. The primary outcome of the analysis is the creation of a taxonomy of six values, derived from an interdisciplinary literature review, which can be used to interpret cultural heritage-driven projects and provide a deeper understanding of the role of cultural heritage for local communities. This, in turn, can guide successful strategies for local development through several types of heritage, such as museums, archives and libraries, archaeological and historical sites, community interest places and infrastructures, industrial, religious, rural, and landscape sites. The findings contribute to a comprehensive description of cultural heritage's role in rural and mountain areas and offer a holistic perspective on the interaction among heritage values, new knowledge, projects, and local development.