Base de données des projets PDR

A walkthrough of the history and experiences tied to development of the rural region that was missing has been mapped providing tourists and locals with information about the history of the region.

Hospengouw’s landscape evolved as a result of historic events and human intervention. Preserving it is the main focus of the project. Stories, pictures and other information on cultural-historical agricultural heritage, such as “old” fruit cultivation methods, traditional social fabric, the practical function of hedges and hedgerows where collected and made available for inhabitants as well as tourists in order to raise awareness and knowledge of the region's rural heritage.

The main objective of the project is the preservation of the cultural heritage of Hospengouw through the collection, presentation and translation of interesting stories related to agriculture and landscape development of the region. A second important objective is to develop a permanent cooperation platform amongst local actors, such as municipalities, farmers’ organisations, NGOs in order to preserve the region's cultural heritage.

The main activities envisaged are to: collect and write interesting stories related to the landscape history, emphasising the values of the agricultural man-made landscape of the region, in cooperation with the centre of Agricultural History publish the stories collected, organise public events and storytelling events to raise residents’ awareness on these traditions and develop recreational walking and cycling tours where the stories can be recounted.

In October 2010 the stories collected were published and a seminar was organised to present the publication. The walking and cycling tours have been created and from the beginning of 2011 the stories can be recounted in one of the five specific “calling points” made available along the routes. A cooperation platform was created and it is expected to sustain its activity in the future whilst playing an important role in organising new initiatives and projects in the region.

The involvement of local people in the preservation of the rural heritage and particularly in the collection of stories has created a positive cooperation and networking atmosphere in the local community. In addition the interest displayed for agriculture and for its role in transforming and at the same time safeguarding the region's landscape proved to be useful to stimulate farmers’ participation and commitment to the project.

Haspengouw and Vouren, province of Limburg

Prov. Limburg (B)

Flanders

171 531

An Digneffe

an.digneffe@rlh.be

+32 011 31 38 98

Dutch