Aims and Scopes

The mission of the GPAC project is to promote research and innovation in the field of heritage and cultural landscapes, conceived “as a
modern episteme” characterized by its social transversality, in so far as, its knowledge, management and profitability involves very different disciplines and can benefit very diverse players. Interdisciplinarity is one of our finest forms of introduction.

GPAC seeks to confront the scientific problem of sectorialization generally faced by scientific approaches in the field of heritage and cultural landscapes. Faced with the still dominant reductionist tendency, a comprehensive strategy is defended that responds effectively to the challenges of an extremely complex context of application, through the elaboration of intervention models that implement knowledge and practical utility, research and management.

Consequently, the general scientific objective is to contribute effectively to the production of diagnostic-assessment-management models of Heritage and Cultural Landscapes; models which, through formalized protocols, can be transferred to the stakeholders of our social fabric, especially those who have public management responsibilities or are interested in its governance.

Cadena de Valor

Research Lines

The scientific program of GPAC rests on the Heritage Value Chain. The design of this value chain is conceived in such a way that any practice (cognitive or material) that operates with the Heritage and Cultural Landscapes can be contextualized within a process. Its classification in a process and its linking with previous and subsequent phases implies the activation of a value component in each of the phases, so that the creation of meaning can be maintained along the itinerary, avoiding the reification of the heritage asset and preventing its de-contextualization and consequent devaluation as an entity of meanings and values.

 

The program is organized along 6 lines of research that coincide with the parts of our Value Chain. This sequence takes place following a gradient of activities closely related to each other, each of which constitutes a specific line of research for the GPAC: 1. Identification; 2. Documentation and Registration; 3. Valuation and Significance; 4. Intervention and Conservation; 5. Dissemination and Socialization; 6 Impact and Reflection

Our Work

All of this is carried out within the 3 Activities integrated in the scientific practice value chain: research> transfer> transmission. GPAC RESEARCH involves basic research, targeted research and the techno-scientific developments that derive from both. 43 research projects and 14 doctoral theses have already been arranged for the sexennium 16-21.

TRANSFER by GPAC is carried out through different mechanisms: knowhowand technical assistance contracts; user-centred research; patents. Our research into Heritage and Cultural Landscapes is allowing us to advise on and participate over the coming years in strategic projects for the Basque Administration, such as the New Cultural Heritage Law; the renovation of the valuation criteria and the protection of Architectural Heritage; the new UNESCO presentation and promotion, for the declaration as a World Heritage Site of 2 candidacies: La Rioja and Rioja Alavesa Wine and Vineyard Cultural Landscape; Valle Salado de Salinas de Añana.

TRANSMISSION brings together those activities that inform the progress of the research to society through education (GPAC participates in the creation and co-management of 2 Official Masters and 2 Doctoral Programs at the UPV/EHU, in addition to teaching on a dozen master’s degrees from other universities), the publication of the results achieved, the promotion, dissemination, communication and socialization actions.

We want to emphasize the importance internationalization actionshave for GPAC in the sexennium 16-21. It is in this direction in which GPAC has grown more since the previous calls, by committing to international research networks configured by various public and private agents.

Memoria producción científica 2016-2017