Newsletter n°1 - Hera Adriatic

Summary:
Overview of the Hera project................................. pag. 1
First Steering Committe in Zadar........................... pag. 2
Second Steering committee in Mostar.................... pag. 3
Albania: National Photo Gallery in Skoder............... pag. 4
Croatia: Documenting Zadar City Walls.................. pag. 5
Slovenia:Tourist Information Centre in Postojna...... pag. 6
Overview of Hera Project
HERA’s specific objective is to develop a joint crossborder platform within the Adriatic area for management
and promotion of sustainable tourism based on common
cultural heritage addressing one of the major problems
of all partner Countries which concerns the lack of an
integrated management & promotion strategy of cultural
heritage and insufficient involvement of community actors
in cultural heritage promotion & valorisation activities.
Hera project activities are specifically addressed at
developing an integrated Joint Action Plan (JAP) for
management & standardization of Adriatic cultural heritage
sites through direct & constant involvement of local/
regional actors in order to achieve 3 specific objectives:
- To reduce the seasonality in tourism demand through the
valorisation of tourism products connected to the cultural
and natural heritage of the Adriatic coasts and hinterland
- To strengthen environmentally friendly tourism through
the promotion of cultural and environmental tourist
products
- To promote cross-border institutional networks
involving key stakeholders (policymakers), supporting the
establishment of public private partnerships and developing
a joint action to strengthen sustainable tourist routes
The project, will define methodology/procedures for
obtaining Adriatic cultural tourism destination trademark
(HERA trademark) which will define & guarantee highquality tourism offer standards in line with environmentally
friendly principles, and at the same time, cultural heritage
sites’ appeal not being dependent upon weather conditions,
helping to reduce the seasonality in tourism demand.
Partnership
Actions implemented by a single Country
cannot boost and regulate tourism flows:
only an efficient cross-border cooperation
mechanisms can respond to the challenges
of global cultural tourism competition.
Cross-border cooperation is then a crucial
element for the achievement of HERA’s
objectives and for launching Adriatic area
as a unique cultural tourism destination on
the international market.
HERA partnership establishes five basic
cross-border cooperation participation
processes:
1) Systematic benchmark of national
policies & projects implemented by
involving each Country stakeholders/
experts for the capitalisation of results and
experiences;
2) Establishment of copyrighted crossborder HERA Trademark;
3) Testing HERA TM methodology
procedure’s feasibility by implementation
of Pilot projects (Cultural Tourism Routes
& Visitor Centres) in each partners’ region;
4) Networking & joint promotion of
developed HERA cultural tourism routes;
5) Establishment of Hera Adriatic Heritages
Association.
Hera partnership is composed by 19
partners from 8 Countries: Albania,
Bosnia&Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece,
Italy, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.
1st Kick off and Steering Committee meeting 11th–12th February 2014 Zadar, Croatia
Lead Beneficiary of HERA project (Zadar County - Croatia) organised the kick off meeting of the project
after few weeks from the communication by the IPA Managing Authority of the succesfull application of Hera
Project.
During first day of meeting, the partners coming from all Adriatic
Countries cooperated uniting their skills and expertises in the joint
implementation of the proposed activities, starting from consolidating
the management structures: a) through the composition of the steering
committe group and b) through
the individuation of the three
Working Groups (Promotion,
Education and Heritage) that
would work on the assessment of
case studies, in order to identify
the best practices in the field of sustainable tourism and will cooperate
for the creation of the thematic guidelines and the implementation of
the Joint Action Plan for the expoitment of achieved results.
The second day of the kick off meeting was a Public conference which was attended by more than 100 people.
The public part of the kick-off meeting started at 10.00 hours, with the following agenda:
1. Greetings by County Prefect of Zadar County, Mr. Stipe Zrilic
2. Greetings by select Project partners
3. General Project presentation
4. “Cultural Routes’ Influence on Tourism Development” presentation
5. Overview of pilot projects
6. “Zadar City Walls – Historical Development” presentation
The County Prefect of Zadar County, Mr. Stipe Zrilic and the Mayor of Zadar, Mr. Bozidar Kalmeta welcomed
all attendees with short welcome speeches.
Also two project partners, Mayor of Vodice Ms. Branka Juricev-Martincev and representative of COPE
Teramo Mr. Gino Verocchi, greeted all attendees, providing also their point of view on the project. They
were followed by a presentation of the project by Mr. Davor Lonic, Head of Department of Development and
European Processes of Zadar County. Further presentations were held by Mr. Vinko Bakija from University
of Zadar, Department of tourism and communication science on the topic of „Influence of Cultural routes on
development of tourism“; Ms. Marica Babic from Zadar County Development agency on the topic of selected
pilot projects and, finally, Ms. Kornelija A. Giunio from Archaeological museum Zadar on topic of „Zadar
City Walls – historical development“. After lunch, the Project partners were invited to the Zadar County
premises for a brief farewell meeting which signified the end of the Kick-off meeting.
2nd Steering Committee meeting 17th–18th June 2014 Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
City of Mostar hosted the 2nd Project Team and Steering
Committee meeting of HERA project which was held on
June 17th and 18th 2014 in Mostar City Hall building.
Representatives of almost all Project’s Final beneficiaries’
institutions attended this meeting, i.e. Zadar County,
Split Dalmatia County, Sibenik-Knin County, Dubrovnik
Neretva County, Region of Istria, Primorje – Gorski
Kotar County, City of Mostar, Development Agency
of the Una-Sana Canton, Albanian Development Fund,
Municipality of Postojna, Municipality of Piran, Province of Rimini, University of Foggia, Province
of Ravenna, Consortium Europe Point Teramo, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of
Montenegro, Abruzzo Region.
The current state of implementation of the project activities was thoroughly presented and afterwards
assessed among the partners. The main focus of the
meeting was the presentation of the collected Case
Studies from all participating partners with the goal
of evaluating the most promising and successful
experiences in cultural valorisation of the involved
Adriatic territories.
Three parallel working groups’ workshops were
held in order to analyse and evaluate collected Case
Studies and to apply the most suitable Case Studies
Assessment Methodology with the goal to select
the Best practices. Objective of this analysis is to
create a reference framework of Best Practices with a high degree of repeatability and generalization
that have a likelihood of being transferred in the involved
territories.
Upon discussion and selection of the Best practices,
Project Steering Committee adopted the list of selected
Case Studies, distributed by relevant themes (Education,
Promotion and Heritage).
In due course of the meeting, partners discussed on the
future activity plan with thourough plan of all activities
within working packages.
Albania: National Photo Gallery in Shkodër
On March 30th 2014, at the premises of the “Milenium”’ Cinema in Shkodër,
the public hearing to announce the project design award for “The restoration
and museumization of the national photo gallery” was organised. This activity
finalizes the second phase of “Call for Proposals”’ for the project-design on the
National Design Competition for the National Photo Gallery which was
organised by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the Albanian
Development Fund and Atelier Albania.
The Project for the Restoration and Museumization of the National Photo
Gallery Marubi is carried out in the framework of the Project “HERA Sustainable tourism management of Adriatic Heritage” which is financed by
IPA Adriatic Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007–2013.
This public hearing was attended by the Prime Minister Edi Rama, the Minister of Culture, MrsMirela Kumbaro Furxhi,
the ADF Executive Director, Mr Benet Beci, the Prefect of Shkodër, Mr Paulin Radovani, members of parliament, and
a large number of Shkodra citizens.
In his speech, the Prime Minister Edi Rama, said: “We believe that by undertaking a project like the one we are
presenting to you today, we are enhancing the national dignity and that of the European dignity as well. The Marubi
photos have enchanted the world when displayed to the eyes of the foreign experts. Works which testify to our patriotism
are missing as is missing a dignified Museum for Marubi Dynasty. Let us consider this museum as an act of patriotism
and as the beginning of a new journey for Shkodra.”
Mrs Kumbaro Furxhi, in her speech, considered the museum as a treasure “which we should not only preserve but
cherish also”. She added that: “After the restoration of this museum, we aim to make it part of the UNESCO World
Heritage Treasures.”
The activity continued with the presentations of the project-ideas by the short-listed studios in the first phase of
the competition, which was conducted from 7th February to 28th February 2014, respectively: Atelier4, Biundici,
Casanova+Hernandez, Lorenco&CO, and Zvi Hecker. The International Competition Jury, composed of eminent
personalities in the field of architecture and high level representatives of central decision-making governance, after
questions addressed after each presentation made the evaluation of the competing project-ideas and announced the best
project–design submitted by the Dutch studio “Casanova & Hernandez”
The proposal for Marubi Museum aims to promote a rich dialogue between tradition
and modernity, past and present. The legacy of the tradition is underlined by restoring
the historical building and preserving its spatial and structural qualities without any
transformation in volume or any new drastic interior subdivisions. Modernity and the
placement of new program is achieved by installing five “functional boxes”, which
are prefabricated and detached from the original building as pieces of furniture or
sculptural elements. The museum program expands into the public space and one
of the “functional boxes” becomes a showcase installed in front of the museum,
working as a landmark that invites citizens to visit it. The winning design studio
will develop further the implementation project which is expected to be submitted by the end of May 2014; the studio
will also supervise the implementation of Marubi project.
Croatia: Documenting Zadar County City walls
Feasibility of a defined methodology for gaining a trademark of cultural
tourism destination HERA will be tested on Zadar County’s territory by
implementing two pilot projects: one being the integration of Zadar city
walls into the route of cultural tourism and the other being setting up of a
visitor center in Mali Arsenal.
A pre-requisite for investing in these pilot projects is elaborating the project
documentation for the city walls, particularly for Mali Arsenal, Gate of St.
Krsevan and city walls in the Passage of Emperor Augustus, using 3D laser
scanning. Zadar city walls, preserved only on the southeastern and on the
northeastern side of Old town, were built from 1537 till the end of the 16th
century, as a unique project of Michele and Giangirolamo Sanmicheli. This
renaissance fortification belt was built as a system of Bastion fortresses with
connecting walls (cortinas).
The total area of described city walls (including a medieval wall with a tower
beside Five Wells Square (Trg pet bunara) and the remains of the medieval city wall between City Market (Gradska
pijaca) and Gate of St. Krsevan (Vrata svetog Krsevana) amounts to 15,720 m2.
Mali Arsenal is the entry part of a castle, which was, since the 13th century until today, located at the entrance to the
harbor, and is its only part preserved to this day. It is a vaulted ground floor house
7x12 m large, which stood above the moat and included a drawbridge for horsemen
and pedestrians.
Gate of St. Krsevan was open in the city walls in the 1573. Works foreseen in the
project include restoration and conservation of Gate itself from both sides: from the
land side, towards the city, an integral part of the Gate are the remains of an ancient
monumental gate, with dedicatory plate and rounded gable with the city coat of
arms. From the sea side, along with the Lion of St Mark, two carved boys, built as
spolias, are holding coats of arms. From the land side, Gate is 9.5 m high and 4.8 m
wide and from the sea side its height is 7 m and its width is 3.3 m.
For these two sites a complete documentation of the existing situation was elaborated in June and July 2014, based
on the 3D model gained by 3D laser scanning. The advantage of 3D models is the possibility of further analysis,
processing and testing without the need to repeat the field work. Also, this unique model can be digitally stored forever
and processed as required. 3D laser scanning with these innovative solutions plays a major role in projects that deal
with preservation of cultural heritage.
As far as the location of Passage of Emperor Augustus is concerned, complete documentation of an existing condition
of the part of the city walls (the city gate from early antiquity, late antiquity city walls with remains of a tower and a
tower from the middle ages) was elaborated in August 15 2014. The total value of finished and future works on these
three locations and scanning of the entire city walls will approximately be 450.000 EUR.
For the complete fortification system of Zadar city walls, documentation will be delivered till 7 February 2015 and
will contain geodetic base in a 1:200 scale, an architectural shot of the existing condition with all schemes and ground
plans in a 1:200 scale, cross sections and facades in a 1:50 scale and orthophoto representation of the surface of the
city walls - complete from the outer side (towards the sea and the land) and, where possible, also from the inner side
(towards the city) – in a 1:50 scale.
Slovenia: Tourist Information Centre in Postojna
The Opening Event of the new Tourist Information Center, which was constructed
in scope of the project HERA and has been produced with the financial assistance
of the IPA Adriatic Cross-Border Cooperation Programme, was held on 4th July
2014 on street Trzaska in Postojna.
At the opening ceremony, the attendees were addressed by the Mayor of the
Municipality of Postojna Mr. Jernej Verbic and the President of the Tourist
Association of Slovenia, Mr. Peter Misja.
The main purpose of establishing a new Tourist Information Center (TIC) which
is the promotion and presentation of the county, the wider Inner - Karst region
and Slovenia. We want to show to tourists that our region beside Postojna Cave offers many other natural and cultural
attractions, which are worth a visit and stay there even more than one day.
At the TIC, maps, leaflets, and other promotional materials are
provided at no charge and visitors can get information on tourist
attractions, natural and cultural heritage, accommodations, food
and much more. The TIC also offers free internet access (Wi-Fi).
Digital Advertising screen provides to visitors information about
local sights, special offers, events and cultural programs that are
offered regularly throughout the year. Particular emphasis will be
on the virtual presentation of cultural heritage, which is extremely
rich and worthy of special treatment. New Visitor Center will also be
an opportunity for mainly local providers to be able to present their
accommodation and caterers. They will also have the opportunity to
promote all those who are dealing with tourists and provide them
with a variety of tourist and other services.
Finally, the newly constructed TIC is also a very important market niche, especially in cross-border cooperation and
networking as a joint cross-border trademark HERA.
TIC is during the high season open from Monday to Sunday from 9.00 am to 21.00 pm.
About the building…
The building is designed modern and follows the principles of economy
and austerity. The building is subtly placed in space, but still sufficiently
visible and recognizable and takes into account the Postojna - Inner
architecture typical features. The building complies with the principles
of sustainable construction using local materials, as well as the shape and
orientation of the object. The building is mainly skeletons, in some places
closed and is built in two separate volumes, Tourist Information Center
and Sanitary facilities that are connected by a single roof, surrounded by
larch wood. The roof also serves as a spatial signifier and the object gives
special recognition of the symbol “i”, which tourists from a distance
informs what the object is intended. The walls of the TIC are made of glass with a view to tourists from outside can
look and read offer in our region.All infrastructure also takes into account the needs of physically disabled people.
HERA Partnership
Zadar County
Province of
Rimini
Development Agency
of the Una-Sana
Canton Bihać
Municipality of
Postojna
Split Dalmatia
County
University of
Foggia
City of Mostar
Municipality of
Piran
Šibenik-Knin
County
Province of Ravenna
Dubrovnik
Neretva County
Europe Point Teramo
Consortium
Abruzzo Region
Region of Istria
County of
Primorje and
Gorski Kotar
Region of
Ionian Islands
Albanian Development Fund
Ministry of
Sustainable
Development and
Tourism