Page 90 - World Heritage and Tourism Innovation

Maria Griva et al. Accessibility in vernacular settlements

practice. It adds value to these heritage environments, Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy’s archive
benefiting mainly local communities and other revi- of vernacular settlements and listed buildings (2022),
talising vernacular settlements and cities. Therefore, the literature review and first stage of in situ research
it constitutes a sustainability driver regarding her- in Greek vernacular settlements revealed the heter-
itage, settlements, and towns, with great benefits for ogeneity of the vernacular settlements, which, when
tourism, education and residence. Its contribution combined with the previously unknown heterogene-
to sustainability reflects and strengthens the regional ity of the group of people with disabilities, formed a
cultural identity, enhancing tourism destinations and multi-parametric research problem. Capitalising and
visitors’ experience, stimulating economic growth at preserving architectural history while emphasising
the local level, offering opportunities for new learn- vernacular settlements and guaranteeing accessibility
ing experiences, and providing better living places and perceptibility is a novel method that contributes
for the local population, improving people’s quality to tourism, education, habitation, and sustainability.
of life. Empowering the relationship between people,
heritage and place and enhancing relevant interac- References
tions by improving places’ functionality and inclusiv- Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.
ity generates people’s involvement as locals, visitors, (1992). Checklist for buildings and facilities. https://www
and entrepreneurs. This involvement is the basis for .dms.myflorida.com/content/download/85315/484740
/Americans_with_Disabilities_Act_Accessibility
the preservation of heritage and sustainability. It can _Guidelines_Checklist_For_Buildings_And_Facilities
be illustrated in inclusive and participatory design, .pdf
in the participation of persons with disabilities and Bandarin, F., & Van Oers, R. (2012). The historic urban
stakeholders in tourism and other processes regard- landscape: Managing heritage in an urban century.
ing architectural heritage, and the activation of ser- Wiley.
vice carriers and relevant synergies at scientific and Brocato, E.D. (2006). Place attachment: An investigation
operator levels. Stakeholders can find a new context of environments and outcomes in a service context
for innovative and creative anthropocentric solutions [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of
Texas at Arlington. https://www.proquest.com/op
regarding vernacular settlements in tourism, educa- enview/0dd6807fab8471b3d9ef641e9f0de3fc/1?pq-
tion, and residence. origsite=gscholar&cbl =18750&diss=y
All the Greek vernacular settlements must offer a CAST. (2018). The UDL guidelines. http://udlguidelines.cast
holistic experience. Developing a strategy for an ar- .org
chitectural narrative associated with ergonomic and Chen, N.C., & Dwyer, L. (2017). Residents’ place satisfac-
high-esthetic solutions can form the context for in tion and place attachment on destination brand-build-
situ interventions that ensure accessibility, quality, ing behaviors: Conceptual and empirical differentia-
and safety for all. Within this frame, one will uti- tion. Journal of Travel Research, 57(8), 1026–1041.
lise and appropriately adjust according to the pres- Council of Europe. (1975). Amsterdam declaration on the
European architectural heritage. https://rm.coe.int
ent research’s concept, the existing accessibility and /090000168092ae41
perception measuring, evaluation methodology and Council of Europe. (1985). Convention for the protection of
tools. The proposed accessibility strategy anticipates the architectural heritage of Europe. http://conventions
stimulating the cooperation of stakeholders to ex- .coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/121.htm
pand the accessibility improvement actions in other Creswell, W.J. (2015). Educational research: Planning,
fields, such as archaeological sites and museums. The conducting and evaluating quantitative and qualitative
conducted case studies can also set a basis for dis- research. Pearson Education.
cussion for other vernacular settlements and historic Di Stefano, R. (1979). Il recupero dei valori: centri storici
e monumenti: limiti della conservazione e del restau-
centres of cities. To this end, the codification of ac- ro. Edizioni scientifiche italiane.
cessibility provisions and the generation of research
conclusions and proposals are necessary. Based on the

86 | Proceedings of the 7th UNESCO UNITWIN Conference