Regional Mountain Conference

This study investigates the role played by local knowledge and cultural heritage in fostering community resilience to natural hazards in Val Resia, a mountain valley recognized within the Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve. Conducted as part of the RETURN project funded by the PNRR, the research aimed at co-developing an understanding of how intangible values – such as cultural identity, collective experiences, and local practices – are key factors in strengthening resilience to natural hazard risks within complex mountain socio‑ecological systems, and how these values can be linked to different phases of disaster risk management in the valley. 

The project used transdisciplinary participatory methods, engaging with community members, local associations, and stakeholders affiliated with the Biosphere Reserve to reflect on the unique cultural identity of Val Resia and its role in the community’s historical resilience to natural hazards. Empirical data collection was conducted with the support of local actors, co-defining workshop modalities through the identification of core topics of interest for the community, stakeholder inclusion, and participatory methods. Data was coded, analysed, and tested against a conceptual framework. 

Key findings highlight the community’s attachment to the territory, expressed through local cultural practices and rich local knowledge, which contribute to coping capacities and adaptive strategies in contexts marked by systemic risks and the growing pressures of environmental change and land‑use competition in mountain areas. Deeper insights into the results present possible contributions of the identified elements and expressions of cultural heritage and local knowledge to different phases of community-based disaster risk management. The study also revealed the challenges of investigating the connection between cultural heritage and resilience through participatory processes, with insights on the adopted methods and practical recommendations. 

Aligned with the Biosphere Reserve governance principle, our research underscores the importance of community involvement in co-producing knowledge to develop risk management strategies rooted in the fundamental relationships between communities, cultural heritage, and the environment. The main intended output of this study is to contribute to the development of a replicable model for communities facing similar hazards and systemic pressures, emphasizing the role of cultural heritage in fostering resilient mountain societies and guiding adaptation processes.