Valorisation of the Saint James Way - Portuguese Coastal Way
Published on 28 December 2018
Portugal
Norte
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The good practice is an emblematic project, result of an intermunicipal collaboration network (partnership between 10 Municipalities of the Northern Region of Portugal), in favour of a joint and integrated strategy of valorisation of the Saint James Way - Portuguese Coastal Way, as a tourist-oriented historical-cultural public asset that contributes to the enrichment of the regional tourist offer and to the development of cultural tourism.
This intermunicipal network presents a unique brand image and an integrated and unified communication that enhances the intrinsic value of the Portuguese Coastal Way, based on a clear rationalisation of resources, allowing to do more and better for less.
The project includes the standardisation of signage along the Way, the promotion of the cultural event “Sons no Caminho”, the creation of a logo, guides and brochures, a website and mobile application, publication of a scientific book, requalification of spaces and audiovisual production about the Way.
Among the products developed, a highlight for the web portal that helps the user to discover heritage, to prepare backpack and to plan the way, step by step. The smartphone application (iOS & Android) acts as an interactive guide and allows to download the route created on the web platform with all the points of interest to visit, selected by the user. As a way of involving pilgrims, it also allows users to leave their testimony and share the experience in social networks.
This intermunicipal network presents a unique brand image and an integrated and unified communication that enhances the intrinsic value of the Portuguese Coastal Way, based on a clear rationalisation of resources, allowing to do more and better for less.
The project includes the standardisation of signage along the Way, the promotion of the cultural event “Sons no Caminho”, the creation of a logo, guides and brochures, a website and mobile application, publication of a scientific book, requalification of spaces and audiovisual production about the Way.
Among the products developed, a highlight for the web portal that helps the user to discover heritage, to prepare backpack and to plan the way, step by step. The smartphone application (iOS & Android) acts as an interactive guide and allows to download the route created on the web platform with all the points of interest to visit, selected by the user. As a way of involving pilgrims, it also allows users to leave their testimony and share the experience in social networks.
Resources needed
Total eligible investment: EUR 1 680 446,40
FEDER: EUR 1 428 379,44
FEDER: EUR 1 428 379,44
Evidence of success
The involvement of 10 municipalities around an integrative strategy for valuing a common cultural route is clear evidence of success (joint governance).
The success of the project results is also evident:
- A cultural route with a common and uniform graphic identity;
- Route completely signalled and with requalified spaces;
- Portal and web application with hundreds of experiences and testimonies shared among pilgrims;
- Growing demand of the Portuguese Coastal Way.
The success of the project results is also evident:
- A cultural route with a common and uniform graphic identity;
- Route completely signalled and with requalified spaces;
- Portal and web application with hundreds of experiences and testimonies shared among pilgrims;
- Growing demand of the Portuguese Coastal Way.
Potential for learning or transfer
One of the significant constraints to the valuation of cultural assets at the macro-level results from an institutional or governance problem stemming from the absence of an integrated and consistent strategy between the different levels of territorial intervention involved.The existence of an integrated strategy presupposes the concertation and standardisation of the action between the different administrative levels involved, based on a network of close collaboration and co-responsibility. The Portuguese Way to Saint James, as a cross-border cultural asset, also faces this challenge. For that, this project was considered good practice and a flagship initiative in the national context. The challenge of governance of cultural routes, that it's common to other European countries, make this good practice has an excellent potential for replication. Also replicable is the involvement of the community and the pilgrimsin the valorisation of the routes themselves, through the availability .
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Consortium of 10 Municipalities of the Northern Region of Portugal
Portugal
Norte