Mining heritage tourism and local development: perceptions of the community of Lota in Chile

Abstract

The authors comment upon how cultural and tourist land reuse is becoming increasingly popular
among planners, both as a conservation and regeneration strategy in former mining areas. However,
they also feel that despite growing attention, little research has been undertaken as to local
perceptions and views upon this approach to territorial regeneration. In the light of this opinion,
the article explores the main weaknesses and strengths at the local level in Lota itself. Focus group
work in this respect, revealed that the emotional value of both the tangible and intangible aspects
of mining’s cultural heritage, still persist as the main strength and potential for local regeneration.
They add to this caveat some considerations as to the principle weaknesses in the framework of
heritage preservation in Chile seeing these as a; lack of any working integration as between
heritage tourism management and the other goals of local development; and, to boot, a shortage
of policies for encouraging the capacity for undertaking local self improvement agency and
collective initiatives.