IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v12y2023i8p1481-d1202372.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Cultural Landscape Emerges: Analyzing the Evolution of Two Historic North Pole Expedition Bases in Virgohamna, Svalbard, from Trash to a Protected Cultural Heritage Site

Author

Listed:
  • Anne Cathrine Flyen

    (Building Department, Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research, 0155 Oslo, Norway
    Department of Architecture and Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

Abstract

The identification and preservation of cultural landscapes worthy of protection is a challenging task, as their significance is often not immediately apparent. Analyzing the process through which a site or landscape became a heritage site and understanding the historical context and the factors that contributed to its designation allows making informed decisions on the management and preservation of the site. To provide research-based knowledge, this paper aims to analyze the transformation of the degraded remains of the North Pole expedition bases of Andrée and Wellman in Virgohamna, Svalbard, into a protected historic landscape and the subsequent emergence of the site as a current popular tourist destination. Virgohamna serves as an illustrative case for examining the heritagization process of cultural heritage sites in Svalbard. This article adopts a multidisciplinary approach, drawing upon case studies, mapping and categorizing the historic and current landscape, the condition and vulnerability assessment of historic remains, behavior studies on visiting tourists and guides on-site, expert interviews, and document studies. The findings highlight the complex processes that have influenced the making of the cultural heritage landscape in Virgohamna, the enduring narrative associated with the site, and the need for continued efforts to ensure the preservation and dissemination of its historical significance. Analyzing the process through which Virgohamna has become a heritage site and understanding the historical context and the factors that have contributed to its designation as a heritage site has the potential to enhance comprehension regarding historical importance and heritage values. Furthermore, it might facilitate engaging stakeholders and formulating management approaches and provide insights for policy suggestions. The comprehensive examination serves as a foundation for responsible and sustainable heritage management, ensuring the preservation and promotion of Virgohamna’s cultural heritage for present and future generations.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Cathrine Flyen, 2023. "A Cultural Landscape Emerges: Analyzing the Evolution of Two Historic North Pole Expedition Bases in Virgohamna, Svalbard, from Trash to a Protected Cultural Heritage Site," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-37, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:8:p:1481-:d:1202372
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/8/1481/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/8/1481/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhiqiang Gong & Zhuting Zhang & Jianqin Zhou & Jiami Zhou & Wenhui Wang, 2022. "The Evolutionary Process and Mechanism of Cultural Landscapes: An Integrated Perspective of Landscape Ecology and Evolutionary Economic Geography," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Huan Yang & Ling Qiu & Xin Fu, 2021. "Toward Cultural Heritage Sustainability through Participatory Planning Based on Investigation of the Value Perceptions and Preservation Attitudes: Qing Mu Chuan, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-14, January.
    3. Simensen, Trond & Halvorsen, Rune & Erikstad, Lars, 2018. "Methods for landscape characterisation and mapping: A systematic review," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 557-569.
    4. Ana Pastor Pérez & David Barreiro Martínez & Eva Parga-Dans & Pablo Alonso González, 2021. "Democratising Heritage Values: A Methodological Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-26, November.
    5. Giuseppe De Luca & Ahmadreza Shirvani Dastgerdi & Carlo Francini & Giovanni Liberatore, 2020. "Sustainable Cultural Heritage Planning and Management of Overtourism in Art Cities: Lessons from Atlas World Heritage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-11, May.
    6. Ionut Cristi Nicu & Knut Stalsberg & Lena Rubensdotter & Vibeke Vandrup Martens & Anne-Cathrine Flyen, 2020. "Coastal Erosion Affecting Cultural Heritage in Svalbard. A Case Study in Hiorthhamn (Adventfjorden)—An Abandoned Mining Settlement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nina Almasifar & Tülay Özdemir Canbolat & Milad Akhavan & Roberto Alonso González-Lezcano, 2021. "Proposing a New Methodology for Monument Conservation “SCOPE MANAGEMENT” by the Use of an Analytic Hierarchy Process Project Management Institute System and the ICOMOS Burra Charter," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Nadja Penko Seidl & Mateja Šmid Hribar & Jelka Hudoklin & Tomaž Pipan & Mojca Golobič, 2021. "Defining Landscapes, and Their Importance for National Identity—A Case Study from Slovenia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Shulong Dong & Jiangming Ma & Yanhua Mo & Hao Yang, 2022. "GIS-Based Watershed Unit Forest Landscape Visual Quality Assessment in Yangshuo Section of Lijiang River Basin, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-28, November.
    4. Richard Stoffle & Octavius Seowtewa & Cameron Kays & Kathleen Van Vlack, 2020. "Sustainable Heritage Tourism: Native American Preservation Recommendations at Arches, Canyonlands, and Hovenweep National Parks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-34, November.
    5. Vesna Rajčević & Tanja Mišlicki Tomić & Irena Medar-Tanjga & Mlađen Trifunović & Neda Živak & Aleksandra Petrašević, 2023. "The Role of Landscape in Sustainable Tourism Development—A Study of Identification and Evaluation of Landscape Qualities of the Vrbanja Basin in Bosnia and Herzegovina," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-19, April.
    6. Rędzińska, Katarzyna & Szulczewska, Barbara & Wolski, Przemysław, 2022. "The landscape thresholds analysis as an integrated approach to landscape interpretation for planning purposes," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    7. Péter Csorba & Krisztina Bánóczki & Zoltán Túri, 2022. "Land Use Changes in Peri-Urban Open Spaces of Small Towns in Eastern Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-18, August.
    8. Barbara Sowińska-Świerkosz & Malwina Michalik-Śnieżek, 2020. "The Methodology of Landscape Quality (LQ) Indicators Analysis Based on Remote Sensing Data: Polish National Parks Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, April.
    9. Mariana Borcoman & Daniela Sorea, 2023. "Ethnic Soups from Rupea Area (Romania) as Resources for Sustainable Local Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-21, January.
    10. Sang-Jun Park & Kyung-Tae Lee & Jin-Bin Im & Ju-Hyung Kim, 2022. "The Need for Smart Architecture Caused by the Impact of COVID-19 upon Architecture and City: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, June.
    11. Rui Zhang & Chang Zhang, 2022. "Classification and Application of Digital Technologies in Landscape Heritage Protection," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-18, September.
    12. Amalia Vaneska Palacio Buendía & Yolanda Pérez-Albert & David Serrano Giné, 2021. "Mapping Landscape Perception: An Assessment with Public Participation Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis Techniques," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, June.
    13. Antonio Santoro & Martina Venturi & Mauro Agnoletti, 2021. "Landscape Perception and Public Participation for the Conservation and Valorization of Cultural Landscapes: The Case of the Cinque Terre and Porto Venere UNESCO Site," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-24, January.
    14. Hawar Himdad J. Sektani & Mahmood Khayat & Masi Mohammadi & Ana Pereira Roders, 2021. "Erbil City Built Heritage and Wellbeing: An Assessment of Local Perceptions Using the Semantic Differential Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-19, March.
    15. Francesca Di Turo & Laura Medeghini, 2021. "How Green Possibilities Can Help in a Future Sustainable Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-14, March.
    16. Theano S. Terkenli & Aikaterini Gkoltsiou & Dimitris Kavroudakis, 2021. "The Interplay of Objectivity and Subjectivity in Landscape Character Assessment: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches and Challenges," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-19, January.
    17. Ahmadreza Shirvani Dastgerdi & Giuseppe De Luca & Carlo Francini, 2020. "Reforming Housing Policies for the Sustainability of Historic Cities in the Post-COVID Time: Insights from the Atlas World Heritage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    18. Vassiliki Vlami & Stamatis Zogaris & Hakan Djuma & Ioannis P. Kokkoris & George Kehayias & Panayotis Dimopoulos, 2019. "A Field Method for Landscape Conservation Surveying: The Landscape Assessment Protocol (LAP)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-20, April.
    19. Ling Cao & Jie Yin, 2023. "Research on Sharing Behavior Strategy of Cultural Heritage Institutions Based on Evolutionary Game Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-23, June.
    20. Yingxue Wang & Jiaheng Du & Jingxing Kuang & Chunxu Chen & Maobiao Li & Jin Wang, 2023. "Two-Scaled Identification of Landscape Character Types and Areas: A Case Study of the Yunnan–Vietnam Railway (Yunnan Section), China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-18, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:8:p:1481-:d:1202372. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.