Involving social participation in the preservation of heritage: the experience of Greater Poland and Kujavia

Architectural heritage is a substantial component of every nation's culture, on both a national and local level. Each piece of architecture has its material and immaterial impact - even if relatively small - on our understanding of the entire culture, the social perception of culture and the meaning it carries for the local identity. To preserve architectural heritage efficiently, especially when dealing with small remote heritage sites, a research program involves social participation intended to program the reuse of the object and its surrounding. The investigation for reasons to initiate or hold intervention has to take into account cultural, educational and economic aspects alike, as equally significant. From the economic perspective, the creation of a strong connection between a society and pieces of heritage may be the last chance for many forgotten architectural objects, otherwise doomed to destruction.