Studying historical rural landscapes beyond their archaeological and cultural significance, as ha... more Studying historical rural landscapes beyond their archaeological and cultural significance, as has typically been addressed in previous research, is important in the context of current environmental challenges. Some historical rural landscapes, such as Roman land divisions, have persisted for more than 2000 years and may still contribute to sustainability goals. To assess this topic, the hydraulic and vegetation network of the centuriation northeast of Padua were studied, emphasising their multiple benefits. Their length, distribution, and evolution over time (2008–2022) were vectorised and measured using available digital terrain models and orthophotographs in a geographic information system (GIS). The results revealed a significant decline in the length of water ditches and hedgerows across almost all examined areas, despite their preservation being highlighted in regional and local spatial planning documents. These findings indicate the need for a better understanding of the local dynamics driving such trends and highlight the importance of adopting a more tailored approach to their planning. This study discusses the GIS metrics utilised and, in this way, contributes to landscape monitoring and restoration actions. Finally, a multifunctional approach to the sustainable planning of this area is proposed here—one that integrates the cultural archaeological heritage in question with environmental preservation and contemporary climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
The dry stone wall landscape surrounding the town of Cres is a unique cultural landscape; it is o... more The dry stone wall landscape surrounding the town of Cres is a unique cultural landscape; it is one of the largest well-preserved historical olive groves in the Croatian Adriatic, while simultaneously serving as pasture for sheep. Still, there are currently no studies that capture this landscape as a multifunctional whole or which acknowledge its relevance within the current multidisciplinary discussions. The aim of this paper is to clarify past and current circumstances surrounding and affecting it. The study focuses on two main pillars of landscape preservation: (1) dry stone wall structures and (2) agro-pastoral practices; giving an overview of its historical formation and current management and trends. The goal is to establish knowledge that can be used as a foundation for the management of this area and present a good practice example for the preservation of historical landscapes in the Mediterranean region. The research involved combined desk and fieldwork: cartographic data analysis, literature analysis, GIS elaboration, terrestrial and aerial photographs and observations, followed by interviews with local informants. Continuous investing in the production of quality olive oil and the evolution of the landscape into a multifunctional agro-pastoral-touristic space is what enabled its preservation. This multifunctionality can only be matched by a diversity of scientific studies and this study aimed at providing the first step-a foundation for the identification of the values of the Cres landscape, with the scope of better precising further planning and management.
Multicellular sheepfolds form part of the dry stone wall pastoral heritage in the UK, Switzerland... more Multicellular sheepfolds form part of the dry stone wall pastoral heritage in the UK, Switzerland, Iceland, and Croatia. Abandonment, and the marginal appearance of the ones on the islands of Cres and Lošinj (locally: mrgari) in the literature propelled this study, which aims at a more comprehensive research approach, starting from the premise of their cultural value. Site exploration was based on a literature review, cartographic analysis, interviews with the local inhabitants, and field observations. Finally, multicellular sheepfolds are inventoried, described, and assessed within a brief evaluation model that supported a selection of those that are currently most representative and/or those most appropriate for renewal.
Studying historical rural landscapes beyond their archaeological and cultural significance, as ha... more Studying historical rural landscapes beyond their archaeological and cultural significance, as has typically been addressed in previous research, is important in the context of current environmental challenges. Some historical rural landscapes, such as Roman land divisions, have persisted for more than 2000 years and may still contribute to sustainability goals. To assess this topic, the hydraulic and vegetation network of the centuriation northeast of Padua were studied, emphasising their multiple benefits. Their length, distribution, and evolution over time (2008–2022) were vectorised and measured using available digital terrain models and orthophotographs in a geographic information system (GIS). The results revealed a significant decline in the length of water ditches and hedgerows across almost all examined areas, despite their preservation being highlighted in regional and local spatial planning documents. These findings indicate the need for a better understanding of the local dynamics driving such trends and highlight the importance of adopting a more tailored approach to their planning. This study discusses the GIS metrics utilised and, in this way, contributes to landscape monitoring and restoration actions. Finally, a multifunctional approach to the sustainable planning of this area is proposed here—one that integrates the cultural archaeological heritage in question with environmental preservation and contemporary climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
The dry stone wall landscape surrounding the town of Cres is a unique cultural landscape; it is o... more The dry stone wall landscape surrounding the town of Cres is a unique cultural landscape; it is one of the largest well-preserved historical olive groves in the Croatian Adriatic, while simultaneously serving as pasture for sheep. Still, there are currently no studies that capture this landscape as a multifunctional whole or which acknowledge its relevance within the current multidisciplinary discussions. The aim of this paper is to clarify past and current circumstances surrounding and affecting it. The study focuses on two main pillars of landscape preservation: (1) dry stone wall structures and (2) agro-pastoral practices; giving an overview of its historical formation and current management and trends. The goal is to establish knowledge that can be used as a foundation for the management of this area and present a good practice example for the preservation of historical landscapes in the Mediterranean region. The research involved combined desk and fieldwork: cartographic data analysis, literature analysis, GIS elaboration, terrestrial and aerial photographs and observations, followed by interviews with local informants. Continuous investing in the production of quality olive oil and the evolution of the landscape into a multifunctional agro-pastoral-touristic space is what enabled its preservation. This multifunctionality can only be matched by a diversity of scientific studies and this study aimed at providing the first step-a foundation for the identification of the values of the Cres landscape, with the scope of better precising further planning and management.
Multicellular sheepfolds form part of the dry stone wall pastoral heritage in the UK, Switzerland... more Multicellular sheepfolds form part of the dry stone wall pastoral heritage in the UK, Switzerland, Iceland, and Croatia. Abandonment, and the marginal appearance of the ones on the islands of Cres and Lošinj (locally: mrgari) in the literature propelled this study, which aims at a more comprehensive research approach, starting from the premise of their cultural value. Site exploration was based on a literature review, cartographic analysis, interviews with the local inhabitants, and field observations. Finally, multicellular sheepfolds are inventoried, described, and assessed within a brief evaluation model that supported a selection of those that are currently most representative and/or those most appropriate for renewal.
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Papers by Tanja Kremenic