Awareness of local communities about the value of their city’s cultural heritage and the need to protect it on the example of selected historic towns in the Małopolska region (Poland)

A significant gap exists between the inherent cultural value of historic towns and the awareness of their local communities regarding its protection. Research in Muszyna and Piwniczna-Zdrój, two small towns in Poland’s Małopolska region, revealed that while these areas possess rich architectural heritage—including UNESCO-listed wooden churches—their inhabitants often lack a deep understanding or appreciation for the urbanistic, architectural, and cultural significance of their surroundings. The study, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, identified critical educational needs to foster community engagement in preserving indigenous heritage. Findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to cultivate a sense of stewardship among locals, ensuring long-term safeguarding of these irreplaceable sites.

Kuśnierz-Krupa, D., Sandu, I., Tišliar, P., Bednarz, Ł., Dmytrenko, A., Ivashko, O.,. (2024). Awareness of local communities about the value of their city’s cultural heritage and the need to protect it on the example of selected historic towns in the Małopolska region (Poland). Technical Transactions, 1(2024), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.37705/techtrans/e2024007