The "National Register of Historic Rural Landscapes" as a tool for protecting the Cultural Landscape of the rural territory. The case of the Valle del Lamone in Italy.

Rapid changes are reshaping rural landscapes in Europe, driven by local and global factors like depopulation and community abandonment. This study explores adaptive strategies for cultural heritage in rural Italian landscapes, advocating for district revival through adaptive reuse and cultural identity leverage for revitalization. Cultural landscapes, shaped by human intervention or tradition, play a dual role in bolstering community spirit and place branding. Drawing on qualitative methods and Italian case studies, adept adaptive reuse strategies elevate cultural identity, vital for economic and cultural renewal. In Brisighella and the Lamone Valley, locals lament the loss of intangible heritage due to depopulation and insufficient preservation efforts. Emigration, driven by political and economic factors, is a primary driver of cultural landscape changes. While promoting heritage preservation and tourism-driven development balance, this study recognizes tourism impacts. Italy's rural areas hold diverse heritage and exploration potential. Settlements like Brisighella and the Lamone Valley blend historical values with precious ecosystems. Advocating Lamone Valley's heritage site status, the study aligns with accreditation criteria, aiming for inclusion in the heritage list.