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Assessing the Value of Railway Heritage for Sustainable Development: The Case Study of the Oraviţa–Anina Railway, Romania

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Listed:
  • Florentina-Cristina Merciu

    (Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 010041 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Cornel Păunescu

    (Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
    Romanian Academy of Technical Sciences, 030167 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Mircea Dorobanţu

    (National Railway Qualification and Training Center, Railway Museum and Documentation Directorate, Public Collection of Romanian Railway History, 010711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • George-Laurenţiu Merciu

    (Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 010041 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

The value of historical railways and their important role in social, economic, technical, political, and cultural terms has led to their inclusion as industrial heritage attractions. This study aims to evaluate the heritage value of the Oraviţa–Anina linear railway, the first mountain railway in Romania. The assessment of the value of the railway involved both quantitative and qualitative methods. The value was assessed on the basis of a rigorous quantitative evaluation of key attributes of heritage railway, using a system of criteria and indicators. On the other hand, the selected qualitative methodology facilitated the critical interpretation of the perception of the local community as a beneficiary of the railway heritage and as an active stakeholder involved in its reuse. The qualitative evaluation of the heritage railway was also highlighted based on a critical analysis of tourists’ perceptions. The results indicate the usefulness of a mixed methodology for the complex evaluation of the value of a heritage railway and its sustainable capitalization. Railway tourism is a sustainable solution meant to stimulate interest in learning about local history and culture, and can at the same time contribute to the fulfillment of knowledge of the motivations that drive tourist demand.

Suggested Citation

  • Florentina-Cristina Merciu & Cornel Păunescu & Mircea Dorobanţu & George-Laurenţiu Merciu, 2022. "Assessing the Value of Railway Heritage for Sustainable Development: The Case Study of the Oraviţa–Anina Railway, Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-43, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:20:p:13262-:d:943095
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