[MIS21-P05] Reorganization of “sites” in Unzen Volcanic Area UNESCO Global Geopark ver.2020
Keywords:Reorganization of sites, Self evaluation, sites values, Usage plan of sites
In FY2016, the Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark Council reviewed the number of sites from 189 to 130, and classified the sites into four types of categories as follows. 1: geological sites, 2: ecological sites, 3: Historical / cultural sites, 4: composite sites. In particular, the composite site is defined by the Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark Council based on its own standards. The typical site is “Hara Castle Ruins” which is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and at the same time, the basement rocks that has important geological value. However, in the GGN (Global Geopark Network) self-evaluation sheet, there is no item of composite site, and it is not consistent with the GGN evaluation axis at the time of re-evaluation. Besides that in managing the site (protecting and preserving), it was difficult to clearly communicate the value of the site to local residents and visitors. in managing the site (protecting and preserving), it was difficult to clearly communicate the value of the site to local residents and visitors.
Against this background, from 2018 to 2019, the Unzen Volcanic Area Council decided to reorganize complex sites in the area as following 3 types; geological sites, natural sites and historical / cultural site. At the same time, we reorganized the sites in the point of view of managing the existing 130 sites in the future as follows; whether the location and scope of the sites will not be unclear, whether they will be subject to the nature or cultural property protection system, whether it has potential for using education and tourism activities. As a result, the total number of sites as of March 2020 was 50, of which 16 were geological sites, 6 were natural sites, and 28 were historical / cultural sites. Observation decks and other places where you can observe the scenery of the site are placed as view spots. The 50 sites that have been reorganized are important sites that the Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark Council would like to keep together with local residents, especially for the future. In the future, we will continue to add or modify new sites that need to be protected when they become newly found or when the status of site management changes.
The reorganization and review of the site will be a good opportunity to share the value of the site which can be regarded as a "local treasure," with various stakeholders, such as residents, the government and researchers. In addition, it is important for the strategy for developing geo-tourism, such as changing the content of multilingual commentary boards, general information boards, leaflets and websites. From now on we will create a site record that describes the management and utilization plan of the reorganized site among the stakeholders, and based on this, will carry out activities to take over the site in a sustainable way to the future.
Against this background, from 2018 to 2019, the Unzen Volcanic Area Council decided to reorganize complex sites in the area as following 3 types; geological sites, natural sites and historical / cultural site. At the same time, we reorganized the sites in the point of view of managing the existing 130 sites in the future as follows; whether the location and scope of the sites will not be unclear, whether they will be subject to the nature or cultural property protection system, whether it has potential for using education and tourism activities. As a result, the total number of sites as of March 2020 was 50, of which 16 were geological sites, 6 were natural sites, and 28 were historical / cultural sites. Observation decks and other places where you can observe the scenery of the site are placed as view spots. The 50 sites that have been reorganized are important sites that the Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark Council would like to keep together with local residents, especially for the future. In the future, we will continue to add or modify new sites that need to be protected when they become newly found or when the status of site management changes.
The reorganization and review of the site will be a good opportunity to share the value of the site which can be regarded as a "local treasure," with various stakeholders, such as residents, the government and researchers. In addition, it is important for the strategy for developing geo-tourism, such as changing the content of multilingual commentary boards, general information boards, leaflets and websites. From now on we will create a site record that describes the management and utilization plan of the reorganized site among the stakeholders, and based on this, will carry out activities to take over the site in a sustainable way to the future.