An interdisciplinary methodology for the identification and visualization of the heritage of modern roads

Abstract

Roads, particularly since the advent of motorized traffic, have hugely impacted contemporary landscapes. Although their significance was noted in the 1980s, specific roadway heritage studies are scarce. Research in different disciplines has identified certain features of roads, but an integrated approach to roadway heritage or a consensus on what this constitutes are lacking. This article proposes an interdisciplinary methodology that addresses roadway heritage assessment. Roadways are interpreted within the framework of the semantic openness that currently characterizes heritage studies, territory being the basic element of interpretation. Rather than a fragmented approach to conservation, the research defines integrated heritage configurations where natural, cultural and historical features combine to produce a cohesive form of heritage. GIS technology is used with an online database to assess the complexity of roadway heritage. ICT strategies to raise public awareness are outlined. The methodology is applied to assess the historical N-340 Mediterranean roadway corridor in Spain