Project acronym: ArcheoDanube
Project title: Archaeological Park in urban areas as a tool for Local Sustainable Development
Programme: Interreg Danube
Duration: 07/2020 - 12/2022
Partner countries: Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Germany, Bulgaria, Czech
Republic, Austria, Moldova, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Serbia,
DANUBE cultural heritage in the cities is rich and diverse, but under pressure (due to the lack of common policies, know-how and resources). All the partners are confronted with the same challenges: how to incorporate and present the archaeological heritage into the contemporary social environment, how to incorporate in the urban parts of the cities, how to integrate preserved remains within buildings and areas of the towns for presentations (example: integration of sustainable mobility), how to provide the sustainable development and how to achieve the economic impact and visibility beyond the local level (cultural tourism).
The project will improve and intensify cooperation among relevant actors in DTP in order to preserve, support and valorize cultural heritage through archaeological parks as products in cities for development of archeotourism.The project paves way for preparation of concrete plans, trainings, tools for preservation and presentation and concreate small pilot actions, for improving effectiveness of heritage sites management in support implementation of new initiatives in tourism (archaeotourism). All results are representative for other Danube regions and relevant for the entire area.
Having said this, the consortium convenes in understanding archaeological parks as a tool by which the local communities can manage, control and protect their heritage resources. Moreover, they are a good to connect the local culture, which represents an important period of human history, with the global culture.
In order for our heritage values to remain preserved and make them accessible to contemporary and future generations, it is imperative to develop and advance an integrated planning concept. The project will provide an understanding of archaeological parks as an integrated concept between archaeological heritage/urban development of the city and cultural tourism.
Press Release - End of Period 1
In the end of 2020 the first period of ArcheoDanube project implementation has successfully finished. It started in July 2020 with the Framework planning (WP-T1). The leader of WP T1 is the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia (ZVKDS).
The preparation of the Methodology for partners to collect baseline information (D.T1.1.1) document has started with the aim to create the methodology for successful gathering of information for the baseline study. The main aim was to collect information from partners about the European, national, regional laws and strategies concerning archaeological heritage. Furthermore it was meant to collect information about projects concerning archaeological parks on EU and national level. Information was collected in a participatory way through the contributions of all project partners. For this purpose, common spreadsheets were used that allowed the partners to share their data and view about all relevant topics.
Based on the information collected, the Baseline study (D.T1.1.2.) was prepared with the aim of summarizing the present state regarding heritage preservation in relation to landscape planning, urban design principles and cultural tourism. For the purpose of this study, international conventions, charters and other doctrinal documents were analysed. The study also includes a transnational review and comparison of national policies and strategies as well as archaeological planning systems in use in the included project partner countries, reflecting therefore the situation in the countries involved in the project.
In this period a slide deck on the Baseline Study (D.T1.1.3) was also elaborated. The main aim of this deliverable is to summarize the main findings and proposals of the Baseline Study in a visually appealing slide deck. The English presentation was prepared and translated into national languages. Partners can use it to present the findings to local stakeholders.
Developing a common guidance on stakeholder involvement (D.T1.2.1) was also prepared in this period. The stakeholder analysis describes the process and outcome of identifying stakeholders for the (further) development of archaeological parks and the establishment of the ARCHEODANUBE stakeholder groups. The data was collected by a survey with span from October to December 2020 and included all ten city partners of the ARCHEODANUBE project. The analysis showed that representatives of public authorities could clearly be identified and their willingness to participate in stakeholder groups was given. Additional stakeholders from culture, heritage, tourism and media, who would benefit ARCHEODANUBE project, were also identified and recommendations for each city partner for setting up stakeholder groups were prepared and communicated.
Deliverables prepared:
D.T1.1.1 Methodology for partners to collect baseline information
D.T1.1.2 Concise baseline study summarizing (http://www.interreg-danube.eu/uploads/media/approved_project_output/0001/43/2dc3d9916b6065e130cb53549b046b26ebbf4443.pdf)
D.T1.1.3 Slide deck on the main findings and proposals of the Baseline Study https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BHSCwCXWPafKTBJymHF0XOCdVFOlO4jC/view?usp=sharing
D.T1.2.1 Developing a common guidance on stakeholder involvement (http://www.interreg-danube.eu/uploads/media/approved_project_output/0001/43/cdb4437f64ec011ef475e07da877ed91feea4ccb.pdf))
Press-release - End of Period 2
This period the focus was initiating stakeholder group discussion about LAP, as well as filling the good practices catalog and taking as much as possible from the 2-day training course.
- A very successful stakeholder group meeting for discussion of the LAP for the Temple of Cybele was hosted and among the participants were the deputy mayor, representatives of the department of European financing of Municipality Balchik, as well as representatives from the History museum, from touristic and news organisations. BATTI has created a detailed presentation which served as a great starting point for discussion and stakeholder involvement. Points of interest for the future LAP were mentioned and noted, as well as goals for the LAP.
- The good practices catalogue was a good occasion for reaching out to Archeo park representatives in Bulgaria and useful discussions were made with representatives from Odessos Archeo park in Varna and Topolnica Archeo park, as the mayor of Chavdar municipality himself filled the table for the Archeo park details. They all stated they remain available for further questions in our local archeo plan activities.
- The 2-day training course was extremely useful and with all the tasks executed from BATTI's team, it will be safe to say that it is not just theoretical knowledge, but a practical one, how to create an assessment and how to find relative data needed for the creation of LAP.
- All day-to day activities were regularly executed, as well as nescessary communication activities.
Deliverables prepared:
D.T1.2 – Guidebook for designing LAPs
D.T.2.1.1 - Good practices catalogue
Project's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ArcheoDanube/
Internet page of the project: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/archeodanube
Press-release - End of Period 3
During this period, a lot of work has been done and in a way that guarantees both achieving results as set in the AF, as well as their proper dissemination. The meeting in Wien was very valuable and served as a milestone not only for the project, but for developing the connection between partners. Furthermore, we received a confirmation for setting up of stakeholder group, organized our second workshop and disseminated the local archeo plan guidebook. We have received, translated and disseminated the infographics – part of the wonderful training materials. Based on the valuable feedback from the knowledge partners, we have edited the good practices catalogue and achieved a greatly informing piece on Topolnica and Odessos archeological parks. Team BATTI was also extremely active in GA Communication. We have achieved our target for quality digital contents, provided input for eNewsletter 3 and took part in the meeting in Wien, as well as its dissemination.
Deliverables prepared:
D.M.3.1 – BATTI's presentation at Wienna conference
D.T1.2.3 - Second workshop
D.C.3.3 - Digital contents
Project's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ArcheoDanube/
Internet page of the project: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/archeodanube
Press-release - End of Period 4
During this period, one of the most important results and outcomes of our team for the entire project were achieved. The local archeological plan for the fortress in the district "Horizon" in Balchik is ready.
The LAP of the fortress includes ideas for integrating it into the urban environment in a modern way, without compromising the archaeological and historical value that the fortress has. The archeological plan includes all the points proposed in the guide, complements the idea and gives particularly valuable information and suggestions on how to transform the "Horizon" fortress into a modern archaeological park.
We are ready with the pilot video and with the subpoena of the other pilot activities. We organized the third meeting of interested parties, as well as a two-day project meeting in Varna. In addition, we visited the Think Tank seminars in Sarajevo and Alba Iulia.
Deliverables prepared:
О.Т1.3 - LAP Horizon fortress
D.Т.3.1 - Project meeting in Varna
D.T1.2.3 - Third workshop
Project's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ArcheoDanube/
Internet page of the project: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/archeodanube
ArcheoDanube project is co-funded by the European Union Funds (ERDF, IPA, ENI) and the Bulgarian Government.
Project financed by ERDF, IPA, ENI and Bulgarian government
Project facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArcheoDanube/
Project website link: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/archeodanube
Press-release - End of Period 5
During the project's final period, the "BATTI" association successfully completed all pilot activities - the final design of the 12 brochures for Balchik's most important sights, as well as the 9 signs located around the city center indicating its landmarks, was adopted. and also on White City's pilot video. The video has been translated and subtitled in English. The team of the association took part and presented its achievements at the final conference of the project in the city of Ptuj, Slovenia, and also at the national level - at the 16th national meeting "Good Practices", organized by the Ministry of Culture together with DKICC "Dvoretsa " with the subtitle "The museum today - the challenges of the pandemic and new prospects for development". The association's team also contributes to the preparation of proposals to the European Commission for the improvement of policies in this area.
The BATTI team is confident that it has helped to develop Balchik's archaeological heritage while also attracting new tourists. Throughout the project, the association's team drew on the experience of many amazing professionals in the field - both national and international - to extract the best for the White City and ensure the sustainability of the project results, allowing the city to apply for funding for the establishment of the archaeological park for the fortress in the "Horizont" district with an already completed project. All "BATTI" project participants express their heartfelt gratitude to the project's active stakeholders, the talented experts who prepared the various pilot activities, and, last but not least, the associated partner Balchik Municipality for the readiness that all of its representatives demonstrated and the support that was shown to us at every stage.
We are also proud to share the Archeo webspace, which captures the essence of the project deliverables and serves the purpose of informing the stakeholders of the possibilities for archeological sites on an international level - please do take a look at the Archeo webspace! https://archeodanube.eu/
Deliverables prepared:
О.Т.3.2 - Pilot activities - Brochures and Signages и Pilot Videos
D.C.6.2 - XVI National conference "Dobri Praktiki"
D.T.3.3.1 - Policy proposals
Preserving archaeological sites with Archeo Plans
How to protect the archaeological heritage in the cities? How to preserve it and present in situ? How can we bring the history and the cultural heritage closer to the citizens? The ArcheoDanube project co-financed by the EU will help us to answer these questions. The project aims to help us how to preserve the cultural heritage for the future generations in an innovative way with the help of archaeological parks and how to develop archeotourism.
"Europe has a cultural heritage of inestimable value. It is important to preserve it and make it accessible. One way to do that is through Archeo Parks, where people can experience archaeology in a tourist way. We are exploring how such parks can be realized in urban contexts in the ArcheoDanube project. We learn from each other and have a lively exchange about it …”- the lead partner of the project highlighted the significance of Archeo Parks.
The first personal transnational stakeholder meeting and project meeting of the ArcheoDanube project implemented within the framework of the Danube Transnational Program was held in Vienna 11-13 October 2021, where most of the partners and stakeholders also attended and participated in the interactive sessions and workshops. 22 participants from 9 countries took place at the meeting.
The meeting was a great opportunity for the partnership and the participants to learn from the history and from each other. Fantastic speakers with great professional experience were invited to give us examples how archeoturism and the protection of cultural heritage can work efficiently and successfully.
The learning process has not ended on a theoretical level. Participant of the meeting went on a sightseeing tour in the heart of Vienna to visit the traces of the ancient Roman city. Then participants had the opportunity to visit Carnuntum, the ancient Roman city. These guided tours helped participants and project partners to learn a lot about the presentation and preservation of the cultural heritage.
In the next phase of the project, project partners will work hard on preparing some interactive and innovative tools, which will help you learn about the history of your beloved city in an entertaining way. The yesterday-today-tomorrow tool, and the ArcheoTales app will help us to make the history alive!You can find all of the project's deliverables here, including the latest eNewsletter!
The project has been funded under the Danube Transnational programme by the ERDF, IPA and ENI funds and the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.
Project Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArcheoDanube/
Project website link: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/archeodanube