Long-Term Development Trend of the Historical Cultural Landscape of the UNESCO Monument: Vlkolínec (Slovakia)

František Petrovič, Martin Boltižiar, Iveta Rakytová, Ivana Tomčíková and Eva Pauditšová
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František Petrovič: Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Constantinus the Philosopher in Nitra, Trieda A. Hlinku 1, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia
Martin Boltižiar: Department of Geography and Regional Development, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosophers University in Nitra, Trieda A. Hlinku 1, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia
Iveta Rakytová: Department of Geography, Faculty of Education, Catholic University in Ružomberok, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovakia
Ivana Tomčíková: Department of Geography, Faculty of Education, Catholic University in Ružomberok, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovakia
Eva Pauditšová: Department of Environmental Ecology and Landscape Management, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: The presented paper focuses on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site of Vlkolínec (Slovakia), changes in its cultural landscape and the possibilities of its preservation for future generations. However, it is also a living settlement with residents who have demands for their standard of living. To analyze the development of changes in the landscape of the Vlkolínec protection zone, we used available relevant data such as historical maps and aerial photographs from selected time horizons 1769, 1823, 1949, 2007 and 2017. Overall, we interpreted a total of 13 landscape elements, paying special attention to historical landscape structures. For the land use elements, we focused mainly on determining their area and percentage of the landscape in relation to their changes in the period under review in the context of natural and socio-economic conditions. In order to gain a realistic view of the future development and use of the Vlkolínec area in the context of direct users of the area, we decided to apply a questionnaire survey in 2017. The questionnaire is a written form of a structured interview. We determined a target group of respondents—residents of Vlkolínec and users of this area (holiday cottage owners, foresters, farmers), i.e., we processed the opinions of people directly influencing Vlkolínec and its immediate surroundings—the landscape. The interviews were focused on identifying problems and proposing solutions so as not to disturb the uniqueness of this site, but at the same time to also attract tourism participants. Based on the results of the survey, we evaluated the identified phenomena, structures and values and compared them with the desired state of protection of the landmark. Subsequently, we prepared plans for the preservation and sustainable development of this important site.

Keywords: Vlkolínec; UNESCO; Slovakia; historical structures; land use changes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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