Good Practices
Ireland
Solás na Mara
Ireland
Sólás na Mara turns a former fish auction house on Helvick Harbour into a family-run seaweed-bath spa. Local seaweeds and seawater at high tide power low-impact wellness tourism that supports the Gaeltacht.
The seaweed is soaked in warm seawater at high tide, providing minerals such as iodine, potassium, and magnesium, which are used in therapeutic baths at Sólás na Mara.
Sólás na Mara (Irish for ‘solace of the sea’) is a former fish auction house reborn as an intimate, family-run spa. The bathhouse is located on a small working fishing pier in Helvick Harbour, in the middle of the Waterford Gaeltacht region (a Gaeltacht is an area of Ireland where Irish is recognised as the main spoken language of the community). The business takes full advantage of its maritime heritage, by using treatments that rely on a centuries-old Irish tradition of seaweed baths; a practice that has long brought visitors to this coast to ‘take the waters’, well recognised for their healing benefits.
Sustainability is a key feature of the operation, with native seaweeds such as serrated wrack harvested locally then tossed into great cast-iron tubs filled with warm seawater, pumped in directly at high tide. This low-impact practice exploits the naturally occurring resources of the area and has proved popular with tourists looking for sustainable treatments and experiences in a natural environment.
This innovative blue tourism business has become a destination for tourists who are curious to experience the benefits of seaweed, celebrated as a therapy for many conditions, from arthritis to eczema. It has also helped to create a cultural symbiosis between the Waterford Gaeltacht district and its neighbouring town of Dungarvan. Gaeltacht areas traditionally face social and economic challenges. The addition of the bathhouse has helped to address this by attracting a clientele who are interested in low-impact tourism, and who stay to visit the local area’s pubs and restaurants, master craftsmen and artists in their seaside galleries.
Categories:
Maritime architectures, Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
Although Dungarvan was first established as a spa town in 1901, the Sólás na Mara seaweed bathhouse in the Waterford Gaeltacht opened more recently, in 2013, and continues to be operational. It is open year-round, six days a week.
Risks and drawbacks
A key strength of this enterprise is its unique location on a fishing pier in a remote harbour in a Gaeltacht area. However, this also means that the business receives no footfall or passing trade. As such, it is very much a ‘destination’ activity and must work constantly to entice visitors from elsewhere to make the journey.
Public policies
There are many public funding initiatives to support culture, arts and enterprise in Gaeltacht areas:
— Údarás na Gaeltachta recognises that economic development, cultural conservation, language enhancement and job creation are intertwined and central to the sustainable development of Gaeltacht communities. It offers a range of schemes that empower these communities to take an active role in the economic, social and cultural life of their region.
— Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta provides practical support to Gaeltacht families raising children in the Irish language.
— State agencies An Taibhdhearc and Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge implement a National Action Plan to develop, strengthen and promote Irish language-based arts across the Gaeltacht areas.
Indicators
— Population of the Waterford Gaeltacht is 1,816, equivalent to 1.8% of the entire Gaeltacht population in Ireland.
— 149 people are employed full time in client companies of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
References
— 10 Best Seaweed Baths in Ireland to Try in 2024. 2024. Ireland Before You Die. https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/top-10-best-seaweed-baths-in-ireland/.
— Cosgrove, Jennifer. 2024. “Waterford Named in New York Times ‘52 Places to Go’ List for 2024.” The Irish Times, January 10. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/travel/2024/01/10/waterford-named-in-new-york-times-52-places-to-go-list-for-2024/.
The seaweed is soaked in warm seawater at high tide, providing minerals such as iodine, potassium, and magnesium, which are used in therapeutic baths at Sólás na Mara.
Sólás na Mara (Irish for ‘solace of the sea’) is a former fish auction house reborn as an intimate, family-run spa. The bathhouse is located on a small working fishing pier in Helvick Harbour, in the middle of the Waterford Gaeltacht region (a Gaeltacht is an area of Ireland where Irish is recognised as the main spoken language of the community). The business takes full advantage of its maritime heritage, by using treatments that rely on a centuries-old Irish tradition of seaweed baths; a practice that has long brought visitors to this coast to ‘take the waters’, well recognised for their healing benefits.
Sustainability is a key feature of the operation, with native seaweeds such as serrated wrack harvested locally then tossed into great cast-iron tubs filled with warm seawater, pumped in directly at high tide. This low-impact practice exploits the naturally occurring resources of the area and has proved popular with tourists looking for sustainable treatments and experiences in a natural environment.
This innovative blue tourism business has become a destination for tourists who are curious to experience the benefits of seaweed, celebrated as a therapy for many conditions, from arthritis to eczema. It has also helped to create a cultural symbiosis between the Waterford Gaeltacht district and its neighbouring town of Dungarvan. Gaeltacht areas traditionally face social and economic challenges. The addition of the bathhouse has helped to address this by attracting a clientele who are interested in low-impact tourism, and who stay to visit the local area’s pubs and restaurants, master craftsmen and artists in their seaside galleries.
Categories:
Maritime architectures, Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
Although Dungarvan was first established as a spa town in 1901, the Sólás na Mara seaweed bathhouse in the Waterford Gaeltacht opened more recently, in 2013, and continues to be operational. It is open year-round, six days a week.
Risks and drawbacks
A key strength of this enterprise is its unique location on a fishing pier in a remote harbour in a Gaeltacht area. However, this also means that the business receives no footfall or passing trade. As such, it is very much a ‘destination’ activity and must work constantly to entice visitors from elsewhere to make the journey.
Public policies
There are many public funding initiatives to support culture, arts and enterprise in Gaeltacht areas:
— Údarás na Gaeltachta recognises that economic development, cultural conservation, language enhancement and job creation are intertwined and central to the sustainable development of Gaeltacht communities. It offers a range of schemes that empower these communities to take an active role in the economic, social and cultural life of their region.
— Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta provides practical support to Gaeltacht families raising children in the Irish language.
— State agencies An Taibhdhearc and Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge implement a National Action Plan to develop, strengthen and promote Irish language-based arts across the Gaeltacht areas.
Indicators
— Population of the Waterford Gaeltacht is 1,816, equivalent to 1.8% of the entire Gaeltacht population in Ireland.
— 149 people are employed full time in client companies of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
References
— 10 Best Seaweed Baths in Ireland to Try in 2024. 2024. Ireland Before You Die. https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/top-10-best-seaweed-baths-in-ireland/.
— Cosgrove, Jennifer. 2024. “Waterford Named in New York Times ‘52 Places to Go’ List for 2024.” The Irish Times, January 10. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/travel/2024/01/10/waterford-named-in-new-york-times-52-places-to-go-list-for-2024/.
Ireland
Wild Atlantic Way
Ireland
Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500+ km coastal route (2014) with 188 stops across nine counties. Signage-led investment boosted west-coast tourism by 2M+ visitors, mixing seascapes, culture and film sites.
Section of the Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland’s south-west coast, showing the rugged coastline of County Kerry and the dispersed rural landscape overlooking the Atlantic.
The Beacon at Baltimore, County Cork – a navigational landmark along the Wild Atlantic Way, where maritime heritage, rural livelihoods, and coastal landscapes coexist along Ireland’s Atlantic edge.
To mitigate the lingering effects of the global financial crisis, which according to Miriam Kennedy, head of the Wild Atlantic Way, had “decimated” tourism in the west of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland (Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority) devised a “brand” to promote the region and draw visitors to its existing attractions. The Wild Atlantic Way is a route over 2,500 kilometres long, featuring 188 discovery points. The project’s major investment was in road signage and promotion. Since its inception in 2014, tourism numbers to the west of Ireland have increased by more that two million visitors. The Wild Atlantic Way is now one of the biggest attractions on the island, with over half of all visitors to Ireland making at least one stop on any visit.
Weaving through nine coastal counties, the route takes in some of Ireland’s most spectacular landscapes, studded with sea sculpted coves and cliffs, caves and craggy rock formations. These landscapes have attracted the attention of some of the world’s top filmmakers and TV producers, providing locations for Ryan’s Daughter, Star Wars, The Banshees of Inisherin and Normal People.
The Wild Atlantic Way can be explored on foot, bike or by car, and on any timescale. It includes 63 beaches and five national parks, 26 inhabited and hundreds of uninhabited islands, world-renowned golf courses, two Dark Sky Reserves and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Skellig Michael. The success of this seascape as a destination is also intrinsically linked to the famous hospitality of its people, and their millennial old cultural traditions—from traditional music sessions to the freshest seafood.
Categories
Natural features
Time span
The concept of the Wild Atlantic Way was first proposed in 2008 and launched in 2014. It is a brand and a route that is now synonymous with the West Coast of Ireland. It is a year-round destination, and is not time or season bound.
Risks and drawbacks
An over-reliance on a short summer season, however, has resulted in strains on local infrastructure and the risk of environmental degradation, which impacts the long-term sustainability of the region. These concerns are felt throughout the Wild Atlantic Way. Mitigation of these drawbacks need to be addressed.
Public policies
The national government tourism body published an Operational Programme 2015-2019 setting out a strategic implementation framework. This was the first in a series of strategies designed to manage the installation of discovery points, trade and community engagement, environmental management, visitor management, sales and marketing efforts. The main stakeholders are Fáilte Ireland, local authorities, local tourism businesses and leader companies—a combination of central government and local initiatives.
Indicators
After ten years of the Wild Atlantic Way, 2014 to 2024, the Irish government tourist authority released the following statistics:
— 29% overall increase in number of trips to the region
— 59% increase in tourism spend
— 50% increase in number of jobs supported by tourism
References
— 10 Years of the Wild Atlantic Way. 2024. Issuu. https://issuu.com/discoverireland/docs/10_years_of_wild_atlantic_way?fr=sMTNiYzYyOTc1Mzk.
— Davenport, Fionn. 2024. “Ten Years of the Wild Atlantic Way.” The Irish Times, March 17. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/travel/2024/03/17/ten-years-of-the-wild-atlantic-way-it-felt-like-we-were-part-of-something-bigger/.
— Interactive Wild Atlantic Way Map with Sights and Attractions. TheWildAtlanticWay.com. https://www.thewildatlanticway.com/map/.
— Wild Atlantic Way Map with Attractions Plotted. TheIrishRoadTrip.com. https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/wild-atlantic-way-map/.
— Historic Cartography: Historic Environment Viewer. ArcGIS (Heritage Data). https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8.
Section of the Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland’s south-west coast, showing the rugged coastline of County Kerry and the dispersed rural landscape overlooking the Atlantic.
The Beacon at Baltimore, County Cork – a navigational landmark along the Wild Atlantic Way, where maritime heritage, rural livelihoods, and coastal landscapes coexist along Ireland’s Atlantic edge.
To mitigate the lingering effects of the global financial crisis, which according to Miriam Kennedy, head of the Wild Atlantic Way, had “decimated” tourism in the west of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland (Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority) devised a “brand” to promote the region and draw visitors to its existing attractions. The Wild Atlantic Way is a route over 2,500 kilometres long, featuring 188 discovery points. The project’s major investment was in road signage and promotion. Since its inception in 2014, tourism numbers to the west of Ireland have increased by more that two million visitors. The Wild Atlantic Way is now one of the biggest attractions on the island, with over half of all visitors to Ireland making at least one stop on any visit.
Weaving through nine coastal counties, the route takes in some of Ireland’s most spectacular landscapes, studded with sea sculpted coves and cliffs, caves and craggy rock formations. These landscapes have attracted the attention of some of the world’s top filmmakers and TV producers, providing locations for Ryan’s Daughter, Star Wars, The Banshees of Inisherin and Normal People.
The Wild Atlantic Way can be explored on foot, bike or by car, and on any timescale. It includes 63 beaches and five national parks, 26 inhabited and hundreds of uninhabited islands, world-renowned golf courses, two Dark Sky Reserves and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Skellig Michael. The success of this seascape as a destination is also intrinsically linked to the famous hospitality of its people, and their millennial old cultural traditions—from traditional music sessions to the freshest seafood.
Categories
Natural features
Time span
The concept of the Wild Atlantic Way was first proposed in 2008 and launched in 2014. It is a brand and a route that is now synonymous with the West Coast of Ireland. It is a year-round destination, and is not time or season bound.
Risks and drawbacks
An over-reliance on a short summer season, however, has resulted in strains on local infrastructure and the risk of environmental degradation, which impacts the long-term sustainability of the region. These concerns are felt throughout the Wild Atlantic Way. Mitigation of these drawbacks need to be addressed.
Public policies
The national government tourism body published an Operational Programme 2015-2019 setting out a strategic implementation framework. This was the first in a series of strategies designed to manage the installation of discovery points, trade and community engagement, environmental management, visitor management, sales and marketing efforts. The main stakeholders are Fáilte Ireland, local authorities, local tourism businesses and leader companies—a combination of central government and local initiatives.
Indicators
After ten years of the Wild Atlantic Way, 2014 to 2024, the Irish government tourist authority released the following statistics:
— 29% overall increase in number of trips to the region
— 59% increase in tourism spend
— 50% increase in number of jobs supported by tourism
References
— 10 Years of the Wild Atlantic Way. 2024. Issuu. https://issuu.com/discoverireland/docs/10_years_of_wild_atlantic_way?fr=sMTNiYzYyOTc1Mzk.
— Davenport, Fionn. 2024. “Ten Years of the Wild Atlantic Way.” The Irish Times, March 17. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/travel/2024/03/17/ten-years-of-the-wild-atlantic-way-it-felt-like-we-were-part-of-something-bigger/.
— Interactive Wild Atlantic Way Map with Sights and Attractions. TheWildAtlanticWay.com. https://www.thewildatlanticway.com/map/.
— Wild Atlantic Way Map with Attractions Plotted. TheIrishRoadTrip.com. https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/wild-atlantic-way-map/.
— Historic Cartography: Historic Environment Viewer. ArcGIS (Heritage Data). https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8.
France
Observatoire Citoyen du Littoral Morbihannais
France
OCLM tracks Morbihan’s coastline and involves citizens and visitors in monitoring erosion and change. Tools like CoastSnap use smartphones to build data, education and stewardship for sustainable tourism.
Citizen scientists from the Observatoire Citoyen du Littoral Morbihannais conducting fieldwork to monitor dune vegetation, following simplified ecological protocols that contribute to long-term coastal ecosystem datasets.
The CoastSnap monitoring station installed along the Morbihan coastline. This participatory science tool enables the collection of georeferenced, time-series photographs used to analyse coastal morphology and shoreline dynamics.
The Observatoire Citoyen du Littoral Morbihannais (OCLM) directly connects coastal ecosystems and maritime heritage by focusing on the sustainable management and observation of Morbihan’s coastline. Through its monitoring activities, OCLM helps in understanding and mitigating the impacts of natural processes like erosion and human-induced changes, to preserve coastal ecosystems. It also engages the community in safeguarding coastal landscapes, which form part of the region’s cultural identity.
OCLM innovates by integrating citizens into the scientific value chain by democratising data collection, and creates a participatory layer within tourism through the contributions of visitors to research. Projects like CoastSnap use smartphones to track coastal changes, making data collection accessible and inclusive.
By involving locals and tourists, OCLM promotes an inclusive approach where diverse groups contribute to, and learn from, conservation efforts. Its educational activities—workshops, conferences, and publications—foster environmental awareness and encourage sustainable tourist behaviours.
The initiative also aids in developing sustainable coastal management plans, minimising tourism’s environmental impact. OCLM exemplifies innovative blue tourism by combining visitor experiences with ecological conservation, enriching tourism with education and active engagement.
OCLM responds to local challenges such as coastal erosion and climate change, addressing issues where traditional solutions have been insufficient. The participatory model fosters community-driven resilience and local stewardship.
Categories:
Flora & fauna, Natural features
Time span
The OCLM began in 2016 and continues as an ongoing project. It conducts year-round coastal monitoring, with increased public engagement during summer. Regular measurements, citizen science projects like CoastSnap, and educational events are key activities, and adapt to seasons and events.
Risks and drawbacks
Citizen science can produce data of variable quality. The project has a dependence on local funding, and runs the risk of a potential decline in public interest, as well as challenges in expanding beyond Morbihan without additional resources or community engagement.
Public policies
Encouraged by Morbihan Departmental Council through Espaces Naturels Sensibles (ENS) funding, protected through Le Réseau national des observatoires du trait de côte (RNOTC) membership, constrained by national laws (Loi sur l’eau, Grenelle II) and local planning regulations (PLU, SCoT) affecting coastal management and land use.
Indicators
9 locations monitored along the Morbihan coastline
100 volunteers engaged
9,000 photos collected via CoastSnap
8,000 measurements recorded
22,000 visitor participants
558 Facebook, 923 LinkedIn, 356 Instagram followers
12 operational CoastSnap stations
3 founders, 3 employees, 6 civic services for management
Monthly newsletter about projects and findings
Supported by Fondation de France
References
— Le littoral Ploemeurois sous surveillance. 2024. Ouest-France, January 11. https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/ploemeur-56270/le-littoral-plmeurois-sous-surveillance-37c99072-afa7-11ee-85b1-72e2ffcf0aaa.
— Bielak, H. 2025. “Que faire face à l’érosion? Autour de Lorient, les solutions fondées sur la nature font leurs preuves.” Le Télégramme, March 31. https://observatoire-littoral-morbihan.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Que-faire-face-a-lerosion-_-Autour-de-Lorient-les-solutions-fondees-sur-la-nature-font-leurs-preuves-_-Le-Telegramme.pdf.
— Sedrati, M., et al. 2025. Résultats des suivis participatifs OCLM 2024.Vannes: GEO-OCEAN – Pôle UBS. https://observatoire-littoral-morbihan.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bilan_resultats_site_OCLM_2024_FINAL.pdf.
— Cochet, J., and M. Sedrati. 2015. Outils de régénération de la dune sur la Presqu’île de Rhuys – L’expérimentation AlgoBox®: Concept et aperçu des premiers résultats au cours de la période septembre 2014 à juin 2015. Brest: GMGL – DO UMR 6538.
— Dubois, A. 2012. Comportement morphodynamique des plages de poche en milieu mésotidal semi-abrité: Exemple des plages méridionales de la presqu’île de Rhuys, Bretagne sud, France. Doctoral thesis, Université de Bretagne-Sud.
Citizen scientists from the Observatoire Citoyen du Littoral Morbihannais conducting fieldwork to monitor dune vegetation, following simplified ecological protocols that contribute to long-term coastal ecosystem datasets.
The CoastSnap monitoring station installed along the Morbihan coastline. This participatory science tool enables the collection of georeferenced, time-series photographs used to analyse coastal morphology and shoreline dynamics.
The Observatoire Citoyen du Littoral Morbihannais (OCLM) directly connects coastal ecosystems and maritime heritage by focusing on the sustainable management and observation of Morbihan’s coastline. Through its monitoring activities, OCLM helps in understanding and mitigating the impacts of natural processes like erosion and human-induced changes, to preserve coastal ecosystems. It also engages the community in safeguarding coastal landscapes, which form part of the region’s cultural identity.
OCLM innovates by integrating citizens into the scientific value chain by democratising data collection, and creates a participatory layer within tourism through the contributions of visitors to research. Projects like CoastSnap use smartphones to track coastal changes, making data collection accessible and inclusive.
By involving locals and tourists, OCLM promotes an inclusive approach where diverse groups contribute to, and learn from, conservation efforts. Its educational activities—workshops, conferences, and publications—foster environmental awareness and encourage sustainable tourist behaviours.
The initiative also aids in developing sustainable coastal management plans, minimising tourism’s environmental impact. OCLM exemplifies innovative blue tourism by combining visitor experiences with ecological conservation, enriching tourism with education and active engagement.
OCLM responds to local challenges such as coastal erosion and climate change, addressing issues where traditional solutions have been insufficient. The participatory model fosters community-driven resilience and local stewardship.
Categories:
Flora & fauna, Natural features
Time span
The OCLM began in 2016 and continues as an ongoing project. It conducts year-round coastal monitoring, with increased public engagement during summer. Regular measurements, citizen science projects like CoastSnap, and educational events are key activities, and adapt to seasons and events.
Risks and drawbacks
Citizen science can produce data of variable quality. The project has a dependence on local funding, and runs the risk of a potential decline in public interest, as well as challenges in expanding beyond Morbihan without additional resources or community engagement.
Public policies
Encouraged by Morbihan Departmental Council through Espaces Naturels Sensibles (ENS) funding, protected through Le Réseau national des observatoires du trait de côte (RNOTC) membership, constrained by national laws (Loi sur l’eau, Grenelle II) and local planning regulations (PLU, SCoT) affecting coastal management and land use.
Indicators
9 locations monitored along the Morbihan coastline
100 volunteers engaged
9,000 photos collected via CoastSnap
8,000 measurements recorded
22,000 visitor participants
558 Facebook, 923 LinkedIn, 356 Instagram followers
12 operational CoastSnap stations
3 founders, 3 employees, 6 civic services for management
Monthly newsletter about projects and findings
Supported by Fondation de France
References
— Le littoral Ploemeurois sous surveillance. 2024. Ouest-France, January 11. https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/ploemeur-56270/le-littoral-plmeurois-sous-surveillance-37c99072-afa7-11ee-85b1-72e2ffcf0aaa.
— Bielak, H. 2025. “Que faire face à l’érosion? Autour de Lorient, les solutions fondées sur la nature font leurs preuves.” Le Télégramme, March 31. https://observatoire-littoral-morbihan.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Que-faire-face-a-lerosion-_-Autour-de-Lorient-les-solutions-fondees-sur-la-nature-font-leurs-preuves-_-Le-Telegramme.pdf.
— Sedrati, M., et al. 2025. Résultats des suivis participatifs OCLM 2024.Vannes: GEO-OCEAN – Pôle UBS. https://observatoire-littoral-morbihan.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bilan_resultats_site_OCLM_2024_FINAL.pdf.
— Cochet, J., and M. Sedrati. 2015. Outils de régénération de la dune sur la Presqu’île de Rhuys – L’expérimentation AlgoBox®: Concept et aperçu des premiers résultats au cours de la période septembre 2014 à juin 2015. Brest: GMGL – DO UMR 6538.
— Dubois, A. 2012. Comportement morphodynamique des plages de poche en milieu mésotidal semi-abrité: Exemple des plages méridionales de la presqu’île de Rhuys, Bretagne sud, France. Doctoral thesis, Université de Bretagne-Sud.
France
Les Ateliers des Capucins
France
Les Ateliers des Capucins reclaims Brest’s historic naval workshops (18th c.–2004) as a mixed-use cultural hub. The rehabilitation preserves the industrial architecture, reuses machinery as exhibits, and adds businesses, cinema and museums—revitalising a former brownfield through heritage-led, sustainable urban regeneration.
The derelict shipyard interiors of Les Ateliers des Capucins, reflecting damage from World War II and decades of industrial inactivity.
Les Ateliers des Capucins after rehabilitation, showing preserved industrial structures and machinery now occupied with business, leisure and cultural facilities, combining heritage conservation with contemporary uses.
Les Ateliers des Capucins are deeply tied to Brest’s maritime heritage, having served as workshops for building and repairing French navy ships since the 18th century. At their peak, they employed nearly 1,800 workers. Partially destroyed in World War II, the workshops were subsequently rebuilt and continued industrial naval activity until 2004.
The rehabilitation project preserved or reproduced the workshops’ original architecture, integrating former industrial machinery as exhibition pieces and creating spaces for businesses, cafes, offices, a cinema, and public amenities, including Europe’s largest covered hall and 70.8, a museum dedicated to maritime research and scientific progress.
The project revitalised an abandoned industrial area, avoiding a potential urban brownfield while creating a modern, dynamic meeting space for locals and tourists. It exemplifies sustainable urban regeneration by combining heritage conservation, economic activity, and public access. Energy is partially supplied by solar panels, and the site is fully accessible via public transport.
This initiative highlights Brest’s industrial history and pays tribute to its naval workers. It demonstrates how former industrial sites can be transformed into multifunctional cultural spaces, inspiring similar regeneration projects elsewhere.
Categories:
Maritime architectures, Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
The Ateliers des Capucins were an active shipyard until 2004. The rehabilitation project study began in 2005, construction started in 2012, and the site opened to the public in 2016. Since then, it hosts ongoing activities, accessible year-round.
Risks and drawbacks
Challenges included gaining public acceptance for the project during its planning and construction. Ongoing risks involve maintaining continuous usage, ensuring economic sustainability, and monitoring financial balance.
Public policies
The project was led by public authorities. The city of Brest continues to support similar regeneration projects—such as the renovation of the former Pontaniou prison—aiming to reconnect historical heritage with contemporary use.
Indicators
— Local economic benefit in 2022: €166M
— Jobs created: 600–785
— Visitors: over 1 million per year, 10 million since 2016
— 2022 visitor numbers: +25% compared to 2021
References
— Pousse, J. F. & Mollière, J. F., 2019. Les Ateliers des Capucins, Flammarion.
— Guidet, T., 2016. Les Capucins, le nouveau visage de Brest, Place Publique.
— Silva, F. & Rivoal, F., 2023. Impact économique des Ateliers des Capucins sur le territoire du Nord Finistère, ADEUPA.
The derelict shipyard interiors of Les Ateliers des Capucins, reflecting damage from World War II and decades of industrial inactivity.
Les Ateliers des Capucins after rehabilitation, showing preserved industrial structures and machinery now occupied with business, leisure and cultural facilities, combining heritage conservation with contemporary uses.
Les Ateliers des Capucins are deeply tied to Brest’s maritime heritage, having served as workshops for building and repairing French navy ships since the 18th century. At their peak, they employed nearly 1,800 workers. Partially destroyed in World War II, the workshops were subsequently rebuilt and continued industrial naval activity until 2004.
The rehabilitation project preserved or reproduced the workshops’ original architecture, integrating former industrial machinery as exhibition pieces and creating spaces for businesses, cafes, offices, a cinema, and public amenities, including Europe’s largest covered hall and 70.8, a museum dedicated to maritime research and scientific progress.
The project revitalised an abandoned industrial area, avoiding a potential urban brownfield while creating a modern, dynamic meeting space for locals and tourists. It exemplifies sustainable urban regeneration by combining heritage conservation, economic activity, and public access. Energy is partially supplied by solar panels, and the site is fully accessible via public transport.
This initiative highlights Brest’s industrial history and pays tribute to its naval workers. It demonstrates how former industrial sites can be transformed into multifunctional cultural spaces, inspiring similar regeneration projects elsewhere.
Categories:
Maritime architectures, Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
The Ateliers des Capucins were an active shipyard until 2004. The rehabilitation project study began in 2005, construction started in 2012, and the site opened to the public in 2016. Since then, it hosts ongoing activities, accessible year-round.
Risks and drawbacks
Challenges included gaining public acceptance for the project during its planning and construction. Ongoing risks involve maintaining continuous usage, ensuring economic sustainability, and monitoring financial balance.
Public policies
The project was led by public authorities. The city of Brest continues to support similar regeneration projects—such as the renovation of the former Pontaniou prison—aiming to reconnect historical heritage with contemporary use.
Indicators
— Local economic benefit in 2022: €166M
— Jobs created: 600–785
— Visitors: over 1 million per year, 10 million since 2016
— 2022 visitor numbers: +25% compared to 2021
References
— Pousse, J. F. & Mollière, J. F., 2019. Les Ateliers des Capucins, Flammarion.
— Guidet, T., 2016. Les Capucins, le nouveau visage de Brest, Place Publique.
— Silva, F. & Rivoal, F., 2023. Impact économique des Ateliers des Capucins sur le territoire du Nord Finistère, ADEUPA.
France
Glisse Libre
France
Glisse Libre merges art, tech and inclusion, co-designing adaptive water-sport boards with users, engineers and designers. Modular seating and stabilisers boost autonomy and attract visitors.
Adapted surfboards and devices designed by Edgard Flauw for the Glisse Libre initiative, developed to improve accessibility and autonomy in maritime sports.
Inclusive surfing practice in Brittany, encouraging local participation in low-impact maritime leisure activities and promoting access to the sea for people of all abilities.
Centred upon the production of boards for differently abled bodies, the project Glisse Libre, led by artist Edgar Flauw, combines art, technology, and inclusion to reinvent the practice of water sports. More than just a sporting initiative, this project is built on a strong artistic approach aimed at raising awareness among participants and spectators about the importance of accessibility, while challenging cultural norms around disability.
The artistic dimension of Glisse Libre is central. Each board designed as part of the project is unique, both a work of art and a functional tool, inspired by marine nature and elements that connect humans and the environment. Through exhibitions and public demonstrations, the artist seeks to provoke reflection on the role of people with disabilities in society. This approach raises awareness not only among locals but also tourists, highlighting the beauty and richness of inclusion and offering them a new perspective on how objects can serve both aesthetic and practical purposes.
Technically, the boards are the result of an innovative co-design process involving people with disabilities, engineers, and designers. The materials used are lightweight and durable, with modular stabilisers and ergonomic seats, allowing for flexible use depending on individual physical capabilities.
Glisse Libre promotes autonomy and strengthens participants’ sense of belonging. It shifts the perception of the participants themselves, as well as that of the spectators, showing that disability can be a driving force for creativity and innovation. Inclusive activities attract a more diverse clientele. The artistic aspect of the project intrigues and draws visitors, creating a bridge between leisure and societal reflection.
Edgar Flauw’s artistic work is a powerful tool for regional enhancement and environmental awareness. His works, often inspired by nature, establish a strong connection between humans and the environment. His art, deeply rooted in the region, highlights local characteristics and strengthens regional identity, encouraging the discovery of often overlooked aspects from a cultural and ecological perspective.
Categories:
Natural features, Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
Edgar Flauw’s Glisse Libre project began in March 2018 and continued with various phases of prototype creation and testing until July of the same year. Edgar Flauw is reactivating this research through exhibitions accompanied by co-creation and testing workshops.
Risks and drawbacks
Risks include dependency on weather conditions for water activities, potentially high costs related to manufacturing adapted equipment, and the need for specific training for disabled users to ensure the safety and effectiveness of inclusive practices.
Public policies
The project aligns with public policies supporting accessibility and inclusion for disabled people, as well as with coastal space and maritime heritage protection measures encouraged by regional Breton authorities.
Indicators
— Number of participants in workshops and demonstrations (several dozen, annually)
— Satisfaction rate of disabled users (evaluated through qualitative feedback)
— Visitors attracted by art exhibitions related to the project (several hundred, per event)
— Influence on local and tourist awareness of inclusion and nautical innovation (measured by surveys and media coverage)
References
— Buhalis, D. & Darcy, S. (Eds.). 2010. “Accessible Tourism: Concepts and issues”, Aspects of Tourism, Vol. 45, Channel View Publications.
— Cracknell, D. 2019. By the Sea: The Therapeutic Benefits of Being In, On or By the Sea, Aster.
— Fernandes, R. (Ed.). 2018. The Science of Swimming and Aquatic Activities, Nova Science Publishers.
— Murgia, M. 2019. Glisse Libre [Video], Association Ultra / Département Finistère. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhZFWiffjXs
— Pecora R. et al. 2024. “The potential benefit of adapted sailing activity on wellbeing and mental health. A systematic review.” LIRPA International Journal, n.º 81, 57- 75.
Adapted surfboards and devices designed by Edgard Flauw for the Glisse Libre initiative, developed to improve accessibility and autonomy in maritime sports.
Inclusive surfing practice in Brittany, encouraging local participation in low-impact maritime leisure activities and promoting access to the sea for people of all abilities.
Centred upon the production of boards for differently abled bodies, the project Glisse Libre, led by artist Edgar Flauw, combines art, technology, and inclusion to reinvent the practice of water sports. More than just a sporting initiative, this project is built on a strong artistic approach aimed at raising awareness among participants and spectators about the importance of accessibility, while challenging cultural norms around disability.
The artistic dimension of Glisse Libre is central. Each board designed as part of the project is unique, both a work of art and a functional tool, inspired by marine nature and elements that connect humans and the environment. Through exhibitions and public demonstrations, the artist seeks to provoke reflection on the role of people with disabilities in society. This approach raises awareness not only among locals but also tourists, highlighting the beauty and richness of inclusion and offering them a new perspective on how objects can serve both aesthetic and practical purposes.
Technically, the boards are the result of an innovative co-design process involving people with disabilities, engineers, and designers. The materials used are lightweight and durable, with modular stabilisers and ergonomic seats, allowing for flexible use depending on individual physical capabilities.
Glisse Libre promotes autonomy and strengthens participants’ sense of belonging. It shifts the perception of the participants themselves, as well as that of the spectators, showing that disability can be a driving force for creativity and innovation. Inclusive activities attract a more diverse clientele. The artistic aspect of the project intrigues and draws visitors, creating a bridge between leisure and societal reflection.
Edgar Flauw’s artistic work is a powerful tool for regional enhancement and environmental awareness. His works, often inspired by nature, establish a strong connection between humans and the environment. His art, deeply rooted in the region, highlights local characteristics and strengthens regional identity, encouraging the discovery of often overlooked aspects from a cultural and ecological perspective.
Categories:
Natural features, Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
Edgar Flauw’s Glisse Libre project began in March 2018 and continued with various phases of prototype creation and testing until July of the same year. Edgar Flauw is reactivating this research through exhibitions accompanied by co-creation and testing workshops.
Risks and drawbacks
Risks include dependency on weather conditions for water activities, potentially high costs related to manufacturing adapted equipment, and the need for specific training for disabled users to ensure the safety and effectiveness of inclusive practices.
Public policies
The project aligns with public policies supporting accessibility and inclusion for disabled people, as well as with coastal space and maritime heritage protection measures encouraged by regional Breton authorities.
Indicators
— Number of participants in workshops and demonstrations (several dozen, annually)
— Satisfaction rate of disabled users (evaluated through qualitative feedback)
— Visitors attracted by art exhibitions related to the project (several hundred, per event)
— Influence on local and tourist awareness of inclusion and nautical innovation (measured by surveys and media coverage)
References
— Buhalis, D. & Darcy, S. (Eds.). 2010. “Accessible Tourism: Concepts and issues”, Aspects of Tourism, Vol. 45, Channel View Publications.
— Cracknell, D. 2019. By the Sea: The Therapeutic Benefits of Being In, On or By the Sea, Aster.
— Fernandes, R. (Ed.). 2018. The Science of Swimming and Aquatic Activities, Nova Science Publishers.
— Murgia, M. 2019. Glisse Libre [Video], Association Ultra / Département Finistère. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhZFWiffjXs
— Pecora R. et al. 2024. “The potential benefit of adapted sailing activity on wellbeing and mental health. A systematic review.” LIRPA International Journal, n.º 81, 57- 75.
Galicia
Meeting of Traditional Galician Boats
Galicia
Biennial Encontro de Embarcacións Tradicionais de Galicia, run by Culturmar, celebrates and safeguards traditional boats through sailing, crafts and workshops, boosting inclusive, low-impact blue tourism.
CulturMar / The Meeting of Traditional Galician Boats.
Landing of sardines at the port of Vigo, illustrating the enduring role of traditional fishing practices and their connection to Galicia’s maritime heritage and collective memory.
Traditional Galician boats gathered during one of the editions of the Encontro de Embarcacións Tradicionais de Galicia, showcasing craftsmanship, sustainable sailing techniques, and the revival of local maritime culture.
The Encontro de Embarcacións Tradicionais de Galicia (Meeting of Traditional Galician Boats), organised by Culturmar, is a biennial event dedicated to preserving and promoting Galicia’s maritime heritage through traditional boats, central to the region’s fishing, commercial, and cultural identity. These vessels, built with local craftsmanship influenced by external maritime traditions, embody centuries of knowledge and practices.
The event offers visitors an immersive experience, fostering understanding of Galicia’s maritime history and the daily life of its fishing communities. It also revives the building and maintenance of traditional ships, supporting local craftsmen and ensuring knowledge transmission to future generations.
Sustainability is a key component: these boats use natural materials with low environmental impact and are often wind-powered. Interactive activities raise awareness of responsible marine resource management, including traditional sustainable fishing practices such as xeito, a selective sardine fishing method.
The Encontro strengthens collective work through CulturMar and its member organisations, enhancing the visibility of maritime conservation across different coastal cities. Its itinerant nature broadens engagement and encourages international cooperation with maritime communities in Portugal, Brittany, Ireland, and the Mediterranean.
Volunteerism, accessibility, and inclusivity are core principles. Specific actions support families, people with disabilities, and promote gender equality and non-discrimination, making the event a model of sustainable and innovative blue tourism.
Categories
Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
The Encontro de Embarcacións Tradicionais de Galicia has been held biennially since 1993. The 2025 edition took place in Ribeira from 17 to 20 July, maintaining continuity in the promotion of maritime heritage and sustainable tourism practices.
Risks and drawbacks
Challenges include a lack of formal training for new shipbuilders, risk of maritime heritage loss, absence of cultural policies protecting nautical traditions, difficulties in building wooden boats, and limited port space, which threaten the sustainability of traditional fleets.
Public policies
— Real Decreto 784/2021, 7 September, regulating historic ships and singular reproductions
— CulturMar (Federación Galega pola Cultura Marítima e Fluvial)
— Plan da Cultura Marítima de Galicia The Encontro de Embarcacións Tradicionais de Galicia is in line with public policies that promote the protection and active dissemination of maritime heritage. This is particularly relevant in light of Real Decreto 784/2021 of 7 September, which regulates historic ships and unique reproductions. Coordinated by CulturMar, the Galician Federation for Maritime and River Culture, the event is supported by a network of local administrations, regional cultural institutions, and community associations. CulturMar plays a pivotal role in integrating the Encontro within broader cultural policies that celebrate traditional shipbuilding, navigational expertise, and the transmission of knowledge across generations. The event's itinerant nature supports a decentralised cultural policy in Galicia, strengthening the presence of maritime culture along the Atlantic coast and raising awareness of traditional vessels as part of the region's living heritage.
Indicators
— XVI Encontro (Sada, 2023):
— 106 boats, 500 crew members, 80 volunteers, 800 organisational staff.
— 11,000 visitors over 4 days; visitor distribution: Thursday 2,000; Friday 2,500; Saturday 3,500; Sunday 3,000.
— 50% of the budget spent locally on goods and services, generating a measurable economic impact on accommodation, catering, and local providers.
— Recognition as a Public Utility entity by Xunta de Galicia ensures documentation, economic accountability, and heritage preservation.
— The following editions have been held: 1993 - Ribeira, 1995 – Coruxo (Vigo), 1997 – O Grove, 1999 – Rianxo, 2001 – Poio, 2003 — Illa de Arousa, 2005 – Cambados, 2007 – Ferrol, 2009 – Muros, 2011 – Carril (Vilagarcía), 2013 – O Freixo (Outes), 2015 – Cabo da Cruz (Boiro), 2017 – Combarro (Poio), 2019 – A Guarda, 2021 - Moaña, 2023 – Sada, 2025 – Ribeira.
References
— Revista dos encontros. n.d. Culturmar. https://culturmar.org/tipo-de-publicacion/revista-dos-encontros/.
— Nova Ardentía: Revista Galega de Cultura Marítima e Fluvial. n.d. https://www.novaardentia.gal/.
— Fuertes Dopico, O., dir. 2023. Plan da cultura marítima de Galicia. Horizonte 2030. Santiago de Compostela: Consellería do Mar, Xunta de Galicia. https://www.udc.es/Bibliografíacitadas/export/sites/udc/planculturamaritima/_galeria_down/PCUMA_Documento_Marco_Anexos.pdf_2063069294.pdf.
CulturMar / The Meeting of Traditional Galician Boats.
Landing of sardines at the port of Vigo, illustrating the enduring role of traditional fishing practices and their connection to Galicia’s maritime heritage and collective memory.
Traditional Galician boats gathered during one of the editions of the Encontro de Embarcacións Tradicionais de Galicia, showcasing craftsmanship, sustainable sailing techniques, and the revival of local maritime culture.
The Encontro de Embarcacións Tradicionais de Galicia (Meeting of Traditional Galician Boats), organised by Culturmar, is a biennial event dedicated to preserving and promoting Galicia’s maritime heritage through traditional boats, central to the region’s fishing, commercial, and cultural identity. These vessels, built with local craftsmanship influenced by external maritime traditions, embody centuries of knowledge and practices.
The event offers visitors an immersive experience, fostering understanding of Galicia’s maritime history and the daily life of its fishing communities. It also revives the building and maintenance of traditional ships, supporting local craftsmen and ensuring knowledge transmission to future generations.
Sustainability is a key component: these boats use natural materials with low environmental impact and are often wind-powered. Interactive activities raise awareness of responsible marine resource management, including traditional sustainable fishing practices such as xeito, a selective sardine fishing method.
The Encontro strengthens collective work through CulturMar and its member organisations, enhancing the visibility of maritime conservation across different coastal cities. Its itinerant nature broadens engagement and encourages international cooperation with maritime communities in Portugal, Brittany, Ireland, and the Mediterranean.
Volunteerism, accessibility, and inclusivity are core principles. Specific actions support families, people with disabilities, and promote gender equality and non-discrimination, making the event a model of sustainable and innovative blue tourism.
Categories
Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
The Encontro de Embarcacións Tradicionais de Galicia has been held biennially since 1993. The 2025 edition took place in Ribeira from 17 to 20 July, maintaining continuity in the promotion of maritime heritage and sustainable tourism practices.
Risks and drawbacks
Challenges include a lack of formal training for new shipbuilders, risk of maritime heritage loss, absence of cultural policies protecting nautical traditions, difficulties in building wooden boats, and limited port space, which threaten the sustainability of traditional fleets.
Public policies
— Real Decreto 784/2021, 7 September, regulating historic ships and singular reproductions
— CulturMar (Federación Galega pola Cultura Marítima e Fluvial)
— Plan da Cultura Marítima de Galicia The Encontro de Embarcacións Tradicionais de Galicia is in line with public policies that promote the protection and active dissemination of maritime heritage. This is particularly relevant in light of Real Decreto 784/2021 of 7 September, which regulates historic ships and unique reproductions. Coordinated by CulturMar, the Galician Federation for Maritime and River Culture, the event is supported by a network of local administrations, regional cultural institutions, and community associations. CulturMar plays a pivotal role in integrating the Encontro within broader cultural policies that celebrate traditional shipbuilding, navigational expertise, and the transmission of knowledge across generations. The event's itinerant nature supports a decentralised cultural policy in Galicia, strengthening the presence of maritime culture along the Atlantic coast and raising awareness of traditional vessels as part of the region's living heritage.
Indicators
— XVI Encontro (Sada, 2023):
— 106 boats, 500 crew members, 80 volunteers, 800 organisational staff.
— 11,000 visitors over 4 days; visitor distribution: Thursday 2,000; Friday 2,500; Saturday 3,500; Sunday 3,000.
— 50% of the budget spent locally on goods and services, generating a measurable economic impact on accommodation, catering, and local providers.
— Recognition as a Public Utility entity by Xunta de Galicia ensures documentation, economic accountability, and heritage preservation.
— The following editions have been held: 1993 - Ribeira, 1995 – Coruxo (Vigo), 1997 – O Grove, 1999 – Rianxo, 2001 – Poio, 2003 — Illa de Arousa, 2005 – Cambados, 2007 – Ferrol, 2009 – Muros, 2011 – Carril (Vilagarcía), 2013 – O Freixo (Outes), 2015 – Cabo da Cruz (Boiro), 2017 – Combarro (Poio), 2019 – A Guarda, 2021 - Moaña, 2023 – Sada, 2025 – Ribeira.
References
— Revista dos encontros. n.d. Culturmar. https://culturmar.org/tipo-de-publicacion/revista-dos-encontros/.
— Nova Ardentía: Revista Galega de Cultura Marítima e Fluvial. n.d. https://www.novaardentia.gal/.
— Fuertes Dopico, O., dir. 2023. Plan da cultura marítima de Galicia. Horizonte 2030. Santiago de Compostela: Consellería do Mar, Xunta de Galicia. https://www.udc.es/Bibliografíacitadas/export/sites/udc/planculturamaritima/_galeria_down/PCUMA_Documento_Marco_Anexos.pdf_2063069294.pdf.
Galicia
Salgadeiras de Moreiras Museum
Galicia
Salgadeiras de Moreiras Museum restores two sardine-salting factories in Moreiras Bay, offering immersive heritage visits and a research-education hub that links maritime memory with sustainable coastal tourism.
Aerial view of the restored Salgadeiras de Moreiras Museum, integrating the former salting and canning factories within the coastal landscape and preserving the historical connection between architecture, fishing, and marine resources.
One of the former sardine salting factories at Moreiras, O Grove, during the period of abandonment prior to restoration and its inscription on the Ria de Arousa landscape.
The Salgadeiras de Moreiras Museum preserves and showcases Galicia’s maritime heritage through two restored sardine salting factories. Located in the bay of Moreiras—a historically strategic fishing and shellfish-harvesting site—the museum maintains the traditional environment while offering immersive experiences of early 20th-century salting practices.
One factory has been restored as an ethnographic space where visitors can observe historic salting processes, while the other serves as a museum supporting education, research, and museography. By integrating cultural heritage with sustainable tourism, the museum attracts visitors interested in the coastal community’s history while preserving local craft techniques and practices.
The museum addresses both cultural and environmental issues: it documents the decline of traditional fishing practices, provides economic stimulus to the local community, and promotes awareness of marine conservation. By combining tangible and intangible maritime heritage, the initiative enhances visitor understanding of coastal ecosystems and the historical role of local communities in resource management.
Categories:
Maritime architectures, Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
From the early twentieth century the site was used for salting facilities. A bivalve cooking plant remained active until the 1960s. From 1930 to 1950, the dock of these factories served as a base for the maritime transport of goods and passengers. Since 2007, following their restoration, these two former factories have been operating as a museum.
Risks and drawbacks
Seasonal closures, limited resources, and the potential replication of similar facilities along the coast may reduce the museum’s uniqueness and visitor numbers.
Public policies
The Salgadeiras das Moreiras Museum project is part of several public initiatives and planning instruments that promote sustainable tourism, heritage conservation and cultural accessibility. The project aligns with the objectives of the Patronato para el Plan de Excelencia Turística O Grove y Sanxenxo and the Mancomunidad do Salnés, both of which encourage the integrated development of culture and tourism in the region. The Plan Estratégico de Turismo do Salnés 2024–2028 recognises heritage and gastronomy as important aspects of the region's identity, and the Ley 7/2021 de museos y otros centros museísticos de Galicia establishes the legal basis for the museum's establishment and management. Inclusion of the site in the Catálogo do Patrimonio Cultural of the Plan Básico Autonómico, and consistency with the Plan da Cultura Marítima de Galicia, emphasises the museum's importance as cultural and educational infrastructure dedicated to preserving and interpreting the salting industry as maritime heritage.
Indicators
Annual tourist numbers in O Grove continue to rise.
An increasing percentage of the local population are employed in tourism services.
Inclusion in the REMA (Rede de Espazos Museísticos Atlánticos) network supports collaboration and heritage promotion.
References
— Carmona Badía, X. 2011. “Los Goday, en los orígenes de la industria conservera moderna.” In Las familias de la conserva: El sector de las conservas de pescado a través de sus sagas familiares, directed and coordinated by Xoán Carmona Badía, 68–89. Pontevedra: Diputación de Pontevedra; Fundación Cluster de Conservación de Productos del Mar; ANFACO-CECOPESCA.
— Fernández Casanova, C. 1998. “Cambio económico, adaptacións e resistencias nos séculos XIX (dende 1870) e XX.” In Historia da pesca en Galicia, coordinated by Carmen Fernández Casanova, 139–206. Santiago de Compostela: Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
— García Fernández, A. 2006. “Construcións marítimas da nosa primeira industrialización: Da salga á conserva.” Ardentía: Revista Galega de Cultura Marítima e Fluvial 3 (June): 35–40. Cambados, Pontevedra.
— López Capont, F. 1998. El desarrollo industrial pesquero en el siglo XVIII: Los salazoneros catalanes llegan a Galicia. La Coruña: Fundación Pedro Barrié de la Maza.
— Mascato Fontaíña, N., A. Mascato, D. Pereira, and L. Varela. 2020. Inventario do patrimonio marítimo construído da península do Grove. Grove: Lobisome Producións Meijide.
Aerial view of the restored Salgadeiras de Moreiras Museum, integrating the former salting and canning factories within the coastal landscape and preserving the historical connection between architecture, fishing, and marine resources.
One of the former sardine salting factories at Moreiras, O Grove, during the period of abandonment prior to restoration and its inscription on the Ria de Arousa landscape.
The Salgadeiras de Moreiras Museum preserves and showcases Galicia’s maritime heritage through two restored sardine salting factories. Located in the bay of Moreiras—a historically strategic fishing and shellfish-harvesting site—the museum maintains the traditional environment while offering immersive experiences of early 20th-century salting practices.
One factory has been restored as an ethnographic space where visitors can observe historic salting processes, while the other serves as a museum supporting education, research, and museography. By integrating cultural heritage with sustainable tourism, the museum attracts visitors interested in the coastal community’s history while preserving local craft techniques and practices.
The museum addresses both cultural and environmental issues: it documents the decline of traditional fishing practices, provides economic stimulus to the local community, and promotes awareness of marine conservation. By combining tangible and intangible maritime heritage, the initiative enhances visitor understanding of coastal ecosystems and the historical role of local communities in resource management.
Categories:
Maritime architectures, Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
From the early twentieth century the site was used for salting facilities. A bivalve cooking plant remained active until the 1960s. From 1930 to 1950, the dock of these factories served as a base for the maritime transport of goods and passengers. Since 2007, following their restoration, these two former factories have been operating as a museum.
Risks and drawbacks
Seasonal closures, limited resources, and the potential replication of similar facilities along the coast may reduce the museum’s uniqueness and visitor numbers.
Public policies
The Salgadeiras das Moreiras Museum project is part of several public initiatives and planning instruments that promote sustainable tourism, heritage conservation and cultural accessibility. The project aligns with the objectives of the Patronato para el Plan de Excelencia Turística O Grove y Sanxenxo and the Mancomunidad do Salnés, both of which encourage the integrated development of culture and tourism in the region. The Plan Estratégico de Turismo do Salnés 2024–2028 recognises heritage and gastronomy as important aspects of the region's identity, and the Ley 7/2021 de museos y otros centros museísticos de Galicia establishes the legal basis for the museum's establishment and management. Inclusion of the site in the Catálogo do Patrimonio Cultural of the Plan Básico Autonómico, and consistency with the Plan da Cultura Marítima de Galicia, emphasises the museum's importance as cultural and educational infrastructure dedicated to preserving and interpreting the salting industry as maritime heritage.
Indicators
Annual tourist numbers in O Grove continue to rise.
An increasing percentage of the local population are employed in tourism services.
Inclusion in the REMA (Rede de Espazos Museísticos Atlánticos) network supports collaboration and heritage promotion.
References
— Carmona Badía, X. 2011. “Los Goday, en los orígenes de la industria conservera moderna.” In Las familias de la conserva: El sector de las conservas de pescado a través de sus sagas familiares, directed and coordinated by Xoán Carmona Badía, 68–89. Pontevedra: Diputación de Pontevedra; Fundación Cluster de Conservación de Productos del Mar; ANFACO-CECOPESCA.
— Fernández Casanova, C. 1998. “Cambio económico, adaptacións e resistencias nos séculos XIX (dende 1870) e XX.” In Historia da pesca en Galicia, coordinated by Carmen Fernández Casanova, 139–206. Santiago de Compostela: Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
— García Fernández, A. 2006. “Construcións marítimas da nosa primeira industrialización: Da salga á conserva.” Ardentía: Revista Galega de Cultura Marítima e Fluvial 3 (June): 35–40. Cambados, Pontevedra.
— López Capont, F. 1998. El desarrollo industrial pesquero en el siglo XVIII: Los salazoneros catalanes llegan a Galicia. La Coruña: Fundación Pedro Barrié de la Maza.
— Mascato Fontaíña, N., A. Mascato, D. Pereira, and L. Varela. 2020. Inventario do patrimonio marítimo construído da península do Grove. Grove: Lobisome Producións Meijide.
Galicia
Salmoira: Recovery of the Gastronomic History of the Galician Coastline
Galicia
Salmoira revives Galician salting heritage via R&D, gourmet products, zero-waste and immersive “salt tourism” tastings in Pontevedra’s fishers’ guild, partnering with local fishers.
Workers from the Vigo canning factories during a rare moment of rest, while the busy harbour behind them brims with boats, reflecting the city’s bustling industrial and maritime activity.
Locally sourced shellfish and crustaceans served on a bed of edible seaweeds, reflecting the region’s coastal biodiversity and culinary heritage. The restaurant promotes sustainable gastronomy by integrating harvesting knowledge with contemporary cooking practices.
Salmoira is a food technology project consisting of three business lines: Salmoira Gourmet, Zero Waste, and Salmoira Gastro Experiences. Its aim is to recover and promote the gastronomic heritage of the Galician coast, with a focus on reviving traditional seafood and fish salting techniques.
The project studies historical methods for salting, smoking, and pickling species, applying highly sustainable conservation techniques to achieve gastronomic innovation grounded in the cultural roots of the sea. It integrates the recovery of heritage with contemporary innovation, giving rise to a new form of gastronomic tourism: “salt tourism”. Visitors can engage in gastronomic itineraries, immersive experiences, and tastings prepared according to historical methods, providing hands-on learning of traditional flavours and knowledge.
Sustainability is central, using natural materials and low carbon-footprint methods. The project addresses challenges such as the decline of artisanal salting due to industrialisation, ensuring continuity of these practices in contemporary contexts.
Salmoira’s R&D laboratory serves as a centre for innovation, production, and research, exploring traditional fish preservation techniques and valorising local products from the fishing sector. The project is co-funded by a FEMPA grant, managed by GALP Ría de Pontevedra and located in the Moureira neighbourhood (Pontevedra), within the San Telmo Fishermen's Guild facilities. Its strategic location fosters close collaboration with local fishermen and artisans, strengthening the link between tradition and modern innovation.
Categories:
Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
Salmoira began as a project in March 2022 and was established as a limited company in April 2023.
Risks and drawbacks
The artisanal and locally based nature of the project may bring some challenges in terms of scale and continuity. Ensuring that the growing interest in “salt tourism” supports, rather than commercialises, local heritage will be important for its sustainable future. Salmoira may find it difficult to increase production while maintaining the authenticity of its artisanal techniques. As a subsidised initiative, a loss of funding could jeopardise its viability. Dependence on local fishing resources and their seasonal availability could also affect production. Additionally, niche market appeal and limited consumer awareness could hinder broader adoption.
Indicators
Being a new project, impact has yet to be measured. The initiative has received public funding and awards:
— Project co-funded by Grupo de Acción Local do sector Pesquero (GALP) Ría de Pontevedra
— Awarded by Pontevedra Provincial Council’s Smartpeme programme
References
— Asociación Cultural A Cepa. 2009. As mulleres da conserva. Cangas: Asociación Cultural A Cepa.
— Carmona Badía, J. 1985. “La industria conservera gallega, 1840–1905.” Papeles de Economía Española. Serie Economía de las Comunidades Autónomas 16 (Galicia): 177–91. Madrid: Fundación Fondo para la Investigación Económica y Social de la Confederación Española de Cajas de Ahorros (FUNCAS).
— López Capont, F. 1998. El desarrollo industrial pesquero en el siglo XVIII: Los salazoneros catalanes llegan a Galicia. La Coruña: Fundación Pedro Barrié de la Maza. ISBN 84-89748-26-8.
— Romaní García, A. 1991. A revolución tecnolóxica na industria salgadeira en Galicia. Vigo: Unipro.
Workers from the Vigo canning factories during a rare moment of rest, while the busy harbour behind them brims with boats, reflecting the city’s bustling industrial and maritime activity.
Locally sourced shellfish and crustaceans served on a bed of edible seaweeds, reflecting the region’s coastal biodiversity and culinary heritage. The restaurant promotes sustainable gastronomy by integrating harvesting knowledge with contemporary cooking practices.
Salmoira is a food technology project consisting of three business lines: Salmoira Gourmet, Zero Waste, and Salmoira Gastro Experiences. Its aim is to recover and promote the gastronomic heritage of the Galician coast, with a focus on reviving traditional seafood and fish salting techniques.
The project studies historical methods for salting, smoking, and pickling species, applying highly sustainable conservation techniques to achieve gastronomic innovation grounded in the cultural roots of the sea. It integrates the recovery of heritage with contemporary innovation, giving rise to a new form of gastronomic tourism: “salt tourism”. Visitors can engage in gastronomic itineraries, immersive experiences, and tastings prepared according to historical methods, providing hands-on learning of traditional flavours and knowledge.
Sustainability is central, using natural materials and low carbon-footprint methods. The project addresses challenges such as the decline of artisanal salting due to industrialisation, ensuring continuity of these practices in contemporary contexts.
Salmoira’s R&D laboratory serves as a centre for innovation, production, and research, exploring traditional fish preservation techniques and valorising local products from the fishing sector. The project is co-funded by a FEMPA grant, managed by GALP Ría de Pontevedra and located in the Moureira neighbourhood (Pontevedra), within the San Telmo Fishermen's Guild facilities. Its strategic location fosters close collaboration with local fishermen and artisans, strengthening the link between tradition and modern innovation.
Categories:
Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
Salmoira began as a project in March 2022 and was established as a limited company in April 2023.
Risks and drawbacks
The artisanal and locally based nature of the project may bring some challenges in terms of scale and continuity. Ensuring that the growing interest in “salt tourism” supports, rather than commercialises, local heritage will be important for its sustainable future. Salmoira may find it difficult to increase production while maintaining the authenticity of its artisanal techniques. As a subsidised initiative, a loss of funding could jeopardise its viability. Dependence on local fishing resources and their seasonal availability could also affect production. Additionally, niche market appeal and limited consumer awareness could hinder broader adoption.
Indicators
Being a new project, impact has yet to be measured. The initiative has received public funding and awards:
— Project co-funded by Grupo de Acción Local do sector Pesquero (GALP) Ría de Pontevedra
— Awarded by Pontevedra Provincial Council’s Smartpeme programme
References
— Asociación Cultural A Cepa. 2009. As mulleres da conserva. Cangas: Asociación Cultural A Cepa.
— Carmona Badía, J. 1985. “La industria conservera gallega, 1840–1905.” Papeles de Economía Española. Serie Economía de las Comunidades Autónomas 16 (Galicia): 177–91. Madrid: Fundación Fondo para la Investigación Económica y Social de la Confederación Española de Cajas de Ahorros (FUNCAS).
— López Capont, F. 1998. El desarrollo industrial pesquero en el siglo XVIII: Los salazoneros catalanes llegan a Galicia. La Coruña: Fundación Pedro Barrié de la Maza. ISBN 84-89748-26-8.
— Romaní García, A. 1991. A revolución tecnolóxica na industria salgadeira en Galicia. Vigo: Unipro.
Portugal
The North Beach Wave
Portugal
Nazaré’s North Beach, powered by the 200 km Nazaré Canyon, generates 30 m+ winter swells and fuels year-round big-wave surfing, drawing global events and boosting local coastal tourism businesses.
View from the Forte of São Miguel Arcanjo overlooking the giant swells generated by the Nazaré Canyon, during a big-wave surfing session at Praia do Norte, Nazaré. (Peter Walter Turansky, 2019)
Early 20th-century photograph showing the dense urban fabric of the Praia dos Pescadores in Nazaré, built between the hillside and the Atlantic shore. The regular alignment of beach tents and ephemeral wooden structures illustrates the growing role of seasonal tourism alongside the town’s fishing activities. (Estúdio Mário Novais / Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian)
Nazaré’s North Beach waves are a natural phenomenon resulting from the Nazaré Canyon, an underwater gorge more than 200 kilometres long, which plunges to depths of around 5,000 metres close to shore. The proximity of a such a deep canyon to the coast is rare. It channels and amplifies Atlantic swells, producing colossal waves that can exceed 30 metres in height. Initially avoided by fishermen, North Beach has been transformed into a year-round tourist destination thanks to big wave surfing, with the biggest waves typically occurring in winter.
The promotion of surfing has mitigated the seasonality of traditional summer tourism, stimulating local hotels, guesthouses, and rental properties, while surf-related businesses—schools, equipment rentals, and guided tours—have flourished. International competitions, such as the World Surf League Big Wave Tour, have attracted global attention and bolstered the economy of the region.
The practice exemplifies blue tourism by connecting visitors to the raw beauty and dynamics of the Atlantic Ocean, promoting awareness of coastal ecosystems, and fostering sustainable tourism. The initiative has shifted the perception of North Beach from a deserted stretch of coastline to a significant cultural and tourism asset, enhancing local identity and regional economic development.
Categories
Natural features, Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
Surfing began in Nazaré shortly after 1974, but local surfers started promoting the special qualities of North Beach internationally in 2002. Famed big wave rider Garrett McNamara first arrived to North Beach in 2010, and in 2011 broke the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed, attracting surfers and tourists every since. Since then, new records have been set, with current records held by Sebastian Steudtner (26.21m, October 2020) and Maya Gabeira (22.4m, February 2020).
Risks and drawbacks
Potential over-tourism and environmental degradation could threaten coastal ecosystems and the natural landscape if growth is unmanaged.
Public policies
The Municipality of Nazaré established an Office for Sustainable Tourism in 2024 and also created a brand to promote North Beach, organise surf events, and promote related merchandise. Nazaré’s membership in the World Surf Cities Network and its partnership with the World Surf League have enhanced international visibility and generated significant revenues. In 2018, the Digital Wave campaign showcased Nazaré’s colossal waves on a giant LED billboard in New York’s Times Square for one month, in an initiative of Turismo de Portugal reflecting a collaborative effort between national and local authorities to boost Portugal's profile as a surf tourism destination. Additionally, partnerships with luxury and automotive brands have further elevated Nazaré's status, with high-end brands associating their image with the destination's unique surfing culture. Collaborations with universities and research centres have also supported studies of the canyon, coastal ecosystems, and surf-related cultural dynamics.
Indicators
While specific economic and visitor data are limited, the exponential increase in tickets to the São Miguel Arcanjo Fortress, a key vantage point for North Beach waves, serves as an indirect indicator of tourism growth and interest.
References
— Ferreira, F. 2021. A onda da transformação: Surf, turismo e tradição na Nazaré. Master’s thesis, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa.
— Maurício, C. 2021. “Securing a Tourism Future for the Town and the County of Nazaré.” In Destination Top 100 Sustainability Stories. Green Destinations. https://www.greendestinations.org/home/about/destinations-collection/.
— Perkins, H. E., & P. R. Brown. 2012. “Environmental Values and the So-Called True Ecotourist.” Journal of Travel Research 51 (6), 793–803. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287512451133.
— Springwald, S. 2018. Beyond the Perfect Wave: Environmental Awareness of Surf Tourists, a Case Study of Peniche, Portugal. Master’s thesis, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria.
— Tyler, P. et al. (2009) “Europe’s Grand Canyon: Nazaré Submarine Canyon”, Oceanography, Vol.22, n.º1, 46-57.
View from the Forte of São Miguel Arcanjo overlooking the giant swells generated by the Nazaré Canyon, during a big-wave surfing session at Praia do Norte, Nazaré. (Peter Walter Turansky, 2019)
Early 20th-century photograph showing the dense urban fabric of the Praia dos Pescadores in Nazaré, built between the hillside and the Atlantic shore. The regular alignment of beach tents and ephemeral wooden structures illustrates the growing role of seasonal tourism alongside the town’s fishing activities. (Estúdio Mário Novais / Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian)
Nazaré’s North Beach waves are a natural phenomenon resulting from the Nazaré Canyon, an underwater gorge more than 200 kilometres long, which plunges to depths of around 5,000 metres close to shore. The proximity of a such a deep canyon to the coast is rare. It channels and amplifies Atlantic swells, producing colossal waves that can exceed 30 metres in height. Initially avoided by fishermen, North Beach has been transformed into a year-round tourist destination thanks to big wave surfing, with the biggest waves typically occurring in winter.
The promotion of surfing has mitigated the seasonality of traditional summer tourism, stimulating local hotels, guesthouses, and rental properties, while surf-related businesses—schools, equipment rentals, and guided tours—have flourished. International competitions, such as the World Surf League Big Wave Tour, have attracted global attention and bolstered the economy of the region.
The practice exemplifies blue tourism by connecting visitors to the raw beauty and dynamics of the Atlantic Ocean, promoting awareness of coastal ecosystems, and fostering sustainable tourism. The initiative has shifted the perception of North Beach from a deserted stretch of coastline to a significant cultural and tourism asset, enhancing local identity and regional economic development.
Categories
Natural features, Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
Surfing began in Nazaré shortly after 1974, but local surfers started promoting the special qualities of North Beach internationally in 2002. Famed big wave rider Garrett McNamara first arrived to North Beach in 2010, and in 2011 broke the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed, attracting surfers and tourists every since. Since then, new records have been set, with current records held by Sebastian Steudtner (26.21m, October 2020) and Maya Gabeira (22.4m, February 2020).
Risks and drawbacks
Potential over-tourism and environmental degradation could threaten coastal ecosystems and the natural landscape if growth is unmanaged.
Public policies
The Municipality of Nazaré established an Office for Sustainable Tourism in 2024 and also created a brand to promote North Beach, organise surf events, and promote related merchandise. Nazaré’s membership in the World Surf Cities Network and its partnership with the World Surf League have enhanced international visibility and generated significant revenues. In 2018, the Digital Wave campaign showcased Nazaré’s colossal waves on a giant LED billboard in New York’s Times Square for one month, in an initiative of Turismo de Portugal reflecting a collaborative effort between national and local authorities to boost Portugal's profile as a surf tourism destination. Additionally, partnerships with luxury and automotive brands have further elevated Nazaré's status, with high-end brands associating their image with the destination's unique surfing culture. Collaborations with universities and research centres have also supported studies of the canyon, coastal ecosystems, and surf-related cultural dynamics.
Indicators
While specific economic and visitor data are limited, the exponential increase in tickets to the São Miguel Arcanjo Fortress, a key vantage point for North Beach waves, serves as an indirect indicator of tourism growth and interest.
References
— Ferreira, F. 2021. A onda da transformação: Surf, turismo e tradição na Nazaré. Master’s thesis, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa.
— Maurício, C. 2021. “Securing a Tourism Future for the Town and the County of Nazaré.” In Destination Top 100 Sustainability Stories. Green Destinations. https://www.greendestinations.org/home/about/destinations-collection/.
— Perkins, H. E., & P. R. Brown. 2012. “Environmental Values and the So-Called True Ecotourist.” Journal of Travel Research 51 (6), 793–803. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287512451133.
— Springwald, S. 2018. Beyond the Perfect Wave: Environmental Awareness of Surf Tourists, a Case Study of Peniche, Portugal. Master’s thesis, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria.
— Tyler, P. et al. (2009) “Europe’s Grand Canyon: Nazaré Submarine Canyon”, Oceanography, Vol.22, n.º1, 46-57.
Portugal
Do Nothing. South West Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
Portugal
“Do Nothing” coastal management in Alentejo–Algarve limits intervention to protect cliffs, wetlands and biodiversity, prioritising legal protection and low-impact ecotourism over development.
The “Do Nothing” approach refers to the deliberate minimal intervention in the coastal ecosystems of Alentejo and Algarve, a region characterised by steep cliffs, mild climate (~17.5°C annual average), and a rough, wild appearance. In this region, land use includes agriculture, fishing, and small dispersed settlements, while natural habitats such as heaths, tidal lagoons, and wetlands remain largely intact.
This practice seeks to preserve biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and landscape integrity by limiting human impact. Activities compatible with this approach are ecotourism, hiking, and other low-impact recreational activities, avoiding urban development, mass tourism, and industrialisation. Maintaining the natural state of the landscape ensures the functioning of its ecosystem and existent services, while allowing local communities to continue to benefit from its intrinsic ecological and recreational value. The focus here is on intangible measures such as legal protection, minimal infrastructure, and community engagement, rather than active intervention.
The approach aligns with global biodiversity objectives, including the Kunming-Montreal Agreement, which aims for at least 30% of the planet’s terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas to be under effective restoration and protection by 2030.
Categories
Flora & fauna, Natural features
Time span
The practice started in 1988 with the creation of the “Area of Protected Landscape” and was formalised in 1995 with the establishment of the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast (PNSACV). Its legal framework has been adjusted over time to ensure continued protection.
Risks and drawbacks
The legal framework is fragile, and climate change, drought, and over-extraction of water threaten the region. Economic pressures may lead to illegal construction, intensive agriculture, or the exploitation of natural resources, challenging the long-term preservation of habitats and species.
Public policies
— Creation of the “Area of Protected Landscape” (1988) and the Natural Park (1995)
— Integration into the Natura 2000 network (1999) for Sites of Community Importance and Special Protection Areas for Birds
— Management plans that articulate coastal and environmental laws, municipal masterplans, and national directives on habitat and species conservation
Indicators
— The PNSACV covers a terrestrial area of 131,000 ha and a maritime area of 260 km²
— Evidence of a 30% increase in fish abundance in some areas
— Increase in the size of some fish species by 20% within protected zones
References
— Terborgh, J., & C. van Schaik. 2002. “Why the World Needs Parks.” In Making Parks Work: Strategies for Preserving Tropical Nature, edited by J. Terborgh, C. van Schaik, L. Davenport, and M. Rao, 3–14. Washington, DC; Covelo, CA; London: Island Press.
— Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas (ICNF). n.d. Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. Accessed October 1, 2025. https://www.icnf.pt/conservacao/rnapareasprotegidas/parquesnaturais/pnsudoestealentejanoecostavicentina.
— Horta e Costa, B., et al. n.d. Síntese da biodiversidade marinha da área marinha do Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. Technical Report of the MARSW Project. Faro: MARSW Project.
The “Do Nothing” approach refers to the deliberate minimal intervention in the coastal ecosystems of Alentejo and Algarve, a region characterised by steep cliffs, mild climate (~17.5°C annual average), and a rough, wild appearance. In this region, land use includes agriculture, fishing, and small dispersed settlements, while natural habitats such as heaths, tidal lagoons, and wetlands remain largely intact.
This practice seeks to preserve biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and landscape integrity by limiting human impact. Activities compatible with this approach are ecotourism, hiking, and other low-impact recreational activities, avoiding urban development, mass tourism, and industrialisation. Maintaining the natural state of the landscape ensures the functioning of its ecosystem and existent services, while allowing local communities to continue to benefit from its intrinsic ecological and recreational value. The focus here is on intangible measures such as legal protection, minimal infrastructure, and community engagement, rather than active intervention.
The approach aligns with global biodiversity objectives, including the Kunming-Montreal Agreement, which aims for at least 30% of the planet’s terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas to be under effective restoration and protection by 2030.
Categories
Flora & fauna, Natural features
Time span
The practice started in 1988 with the creation of the “Area of Protected Landscape” and was formalised in 1995 with the establishment of the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast (PNSACV). Its legal framework has been adjusted over time to ensure continued protection.
Risks and drawbacks
The legal framework is fragile, and climate change, drought, and over-extraction of water threaten the region. Economic pressures may lead to illegal construction, intensive agriculture, or the exploitation of natural resources, challenging the long-term preservation of habitats and species.
Public policies
— Creation of the “Area of Protected Landscape” (1988) and the Natural Park (1995)
— Integration into the Natura 2000 network (1999) for Sites of Community Importance and Special Protection Areas for Birds
— Management plans that articulate coastal and environmental laws, municipal masterplans, and national directives on habitat and species conservation
Indicators
— The PNSACV covers a terrestrial area of 131,000 ha and a maritime area of 260 km²
— Evidence of a 30% increase in fish abundance in some areas
— Increase in the size of some fish species by 20% within protected zones
References
— Terborgh, J., & C. van Schaik. 2002. “Why the World Needs Parks.” In Making Parks Work: Strategies for Preserving Tropical Nature, edited by J. Terborgh, C. van Schaik, L. Davenport, and M. Rao, 3–14. Washington, DC; Covelo, CA; London: Island Press.
— Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas (ICNF). n.d. Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. Accessed October 1, 2025. https://www.icnf.pt/conservacao/rnapareasprotegidas/parquesnaturais/pnsudoestealentejanoecostavicentina.
— Horta e Costa, B., et al. n.d. Síntese da biodiversidade marinha da área marinha do Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. Technical Report of the MARSW Project. Faro: MARSW Project.
Canary Islands
Marca Púrpura: Association of Canarian Women Architects
Canary Islands
Marca Púrpura drives gender-responsive architecture in the Canary Islands through GAC (2019), FMAC (2024) and participatory waterfront walks, building an open archive and promoting inclusive, resilient cities.
A Marca Púrpura working group discusses strategies for inclusive architecture and urban design, advancing gender-responsive practices in the Canary Islands.
https://marcapurpura.wixsite.com/marcapurpura
In recent years, Marca Púrpura (MP) has led key initiatives that explore the intersection of gender, architecture, and urban space in the Canary Islands, fostering innovation, inclusion, and sustainability in architectural practice and urban design. Notably, it launched GAC (2019), the first meeting to be held in the Canarian context on gender, architecture, and the city. This initiative created a platform for critical dialogue, challenging conventional urban planning models and advocating for more inclusive and gender-responsive cities.
MP also organised FMAC (2024), the Festival de Mujeres Arquitectas de Canarias, an innovative space dedicated to documenting and amplifying the contributions of women architects and urban planners in the region. A key focus of this festival is the creation of an open-access archive, ensuring the visibility of diverse voices and promoting a more equitable representation of women in architectural history. Furthermore, MP has participated in FOCCO, the Foro de las Ciudades Corresponsables, leading the Marcha Exploratoria, an initiative that rethinks urban mobility and accessibility through a gender-sensitive lens. This exploratory walk follows the transition from the port to Las Canteras beach, engaging with the waterfront while analysing the social, environmental, and spatial dynamics that shape public space. By integrating participatory methodologies, this initiative fosters a deeper understanding of how urban environments can be designed to enhance social cohesion and environmental resilience.
In its commitment to sustainability and new models of urban coexistence, MP has also developed the Dispositivo de Cuidados Corresponsables, a project that activates alternative ways of relating to one another in public space. By prioritising care, cooperation, and shared responsibility, this initiative promotes more inclusive and socially sustainable urban environments, where accessibility and well-being are central to design and planning strategies.
Categories
Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
Marca Púrpura is a pioneering association of Canarian women architects, established in 2008 to address the growing need for a dedicated space where the local community can engage in meaningful discussions, share valuable information, and foster collaboration. It continues to operate to this day.
Risks and drawbacks
The associative and activist nature of a local context plays a crucial role in driving social, cultural, and political change, but sustaining momentum over time can be overwhelming. Broader support structures, collaboration, and resources are needed to ensure the sustainability of these movements.
Public policies
The Canary Islands have various public policies aimed at ensuring effective equality between women and men, promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildos, and the Town Councils, including the Canary Islands Equality Law (Ley 1/2010). Support is also provided by the ULPGC, the School of Architecture, and the Canary Islands Arts Sectorial Table.
Indicators
GAC I - Encuentro Internacional de Género, Arquitectura y Ciudad (2019): 500 attendees
Charlas de Azotea – Bimonthly gathering since 2016: 90 women participants per session
FMAC: Festival of Women Architects of the Canary Islands (2024): 130 attendees per day
References
-Guerra, E., Alonso, E. & Tejera, N. (eds.). 2020. Encuentro Internacional Género, Arquitectura y Ciudad. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Servicio de Publicaciones y Difusión Científica de la ULPGC.
-Marca Púrpura. Mujeres Arquitectas de Canarias. https://marcapurpura.wixsite.com/marcapurpura
-Alejandro Hernández, Iván. “Un foro inédito para imaginar ciudades canarias feministas, ecologistas y comunitarias”. La Provincia. Diario de Las Palmas (online), 8 November 2023. https://www.laprovincia.es/sociedad/2023/11/08/foro-inedito-imaginar-ciudades-canarias-94378089.html
- Festival de Mujeres en la Arquitectura de Canarias. COAGC. Cultura, 5 September 2024. https://cultura.arquitectosgrancanaria.es/2024/09/05/240905_festival_mac/
A Marca Púrpura working group discusses strategies for inclusive architecture and urban design, advancing gender-responsive practices in the Canary Islands.
https://marcapurpura.wixsite.com/marcapurpura
In recent years, Marca Púrpura (MP) has led key initiatives that explore the intersection of gender, architecture, and urban space in the Canary Islands, fostering innovation, inclusion, and sustainability in architectural practice and urban design. Notably, it launched GAC (2019), the first meeting to be held in the Canarian context on gender, architecture, and the city. This initiative created a platform for critical dialogue, challenging conventional urban planning models and advocating for more inclusive and gender-responsive cities.
MP also organised FMAC (2024), the Festival de Mujeres Arquitectas de Canarias, an innovative space dedicated to documenting and amplifying the contributions of women architects and urban planners in the region. A key focus of this festival is the creation of an open-access archive, ensuring the visibility of diverse voices and promoting a more equitable representation of women in architectural history. Furthermore, MP has participated in FOCCO, the Foro de las Ciudades Corresponsables, leading the Marcha Exploratoria, an initiative that rethinks urban mobility and accessibility through a gender-sensitive lens. This exploratory walk follows the transition from the port to Las Canteras beach, engaging with the waterfront while analysing the social, environmental, and spatial dynamics that shape public space. By integrating participatory methodologies, this initiative fosters a deeper understanding of how urban environments can be designed to enhance social cohesion and environmental resilience.
In its commitment to sustainability and new models of urban coexistence, MP has also developed the Dispositivo de Cuidados Corresponsables, a project that activates alternative ways of relating to one another in public space. By prioritising care, cooperation, and shared responsibility, this initiative promotes more inclusive and socially sustainable urban environments, where accessibility and well-being are central to design and planning strategies.
Categories
Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
Marca Púrpura is a pioneering association of Canarian women architects, established in 2008 to address the growing need for a dedicated space where the local community can engage in meaningful discussions, share valuable information, and foster collaboration. It continues to operate to this day.
Risks and drawbacks
The associative and activist nature of a local context plays a crucial role in driving social, cultural, and political change, but sustaining momentum over time can be overwhelming. Broader support structures, collaboration, and resources are needed to ensure the sustainability of these movements.
Public policies
The Canary Islands have various public policies aimed at ensuring effective equality between women and men, promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildos, and the Town Councils, including the Canary Islands Equality Law (Ley 1/2010). Support is also provided by the ULPGC, the School of Architecture, and the Canary Islands Arts Sectorial Table.
Indicators
GAC I - Encuentro Internacional de Género, Arquitectura y Ciudad (2019): 500 attendees
Charlas de Azotea – Bimonthly gathering since 2016: 90 women participants per session
FMAC: Festival of Women Architects of the Canary Islands (2024): 130 attendees per day
References
-Guerra, E., Alonso, E. & Tejera, N. (eds.). 2020. Encuentro Internacional Género, Arquitectura y Ciudad. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Servicio de Publicaciones y Difusión Científica de la ULPGC.
-Marca Púrpura. Mujeres Arquitectas de Canarias. https://marcapurpura.wixsite.com/marcapurpura
-Alejandro Hernández, Iván. “Un foro inédito para imaginar ciudades canarias feministas, ecologistas y comunitarias”. La Provincia. Diario de Las Palmas (online), 8 November 2023. https://www.laprovincia.es/sociedad/2023/11/08/foro-inedito-imaginar-ciudades-canarias-94378089.html
- Festival de Mujeres en la Arquitectura de Canarias. COAGC. Cultura, 5 September 2024. https://cultura.arquitectosgrancanaria.es/2024/09/05/240905_festival_mac/
Canary Islands
FEMEPA, Federation of Enterprises of Metal and New Technologies
Canary Islands
FEMEPA boosts competitiveness of Las Palmas metal SMEs and AENAUTICA nautical firms, promoting maritime culture and skills. Partnerships with La Rochelle support training to revive near-extinct ship carpentry in the Canaries.
FEMEPA (Provincial Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises of Metal and New Technologies of Las Palmas) is an independent business organisation that has been uniting entrepreneurs from the metal and new technologies sectors since 1977 through its various associations. As a non-profit entity, endowed with its own legal personality and full legal capacity, it carries out its activities within the territorial scope of the province of Las Palmas (Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura).
FEMEPA maintains a strong connection with the business ecosystem of the islands, where companies specialised in ship repairs and maintenance are located, including painting, carpentry, engine repair, and electrical systems. Additionally, it encompasses companies dedicated to the sale of equipment, sails, and accessories, all of which are grouped under the name AENAUTICA (Provincial Association of Companies in the Trade of Boats, Equipment, and Nautical Accessories).
As part of AENAUTICA's objective of internationalisation, FEMEPA has maintained ties with entrepreneurs in the nautical sector of the city of La Rochelle (France). In this French city, there is a long-standing tradition of shipbuilding related to the restoration and maintenance of vessels. Through this internationalisation process, one of FEMEPA's most significant actions has been to attempt to revive the craft of ship carpentry, a nearly extinct profession in the Canary Islands region, by providing professional training in La Rochelle.
Categories
Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
1977 to present
Risks and drawbacks
The development of this activity has revealed a series of issues common to all FEMEPA activities: a lack of efficient communication between the private sector and the administration (government). Greater openness and focused attention from the administration (local councils, regional ministries, etc.) towards the nautical business sector are needed.
Public policies
The Ciudad de Mar department of the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria maintains a collaboration agreement with FEMEPA. Among the actions planned in the educational sphere, this collaboration facilitates internship opportunities for foreign students—primarily from France, Portugal, and Ireland—in nautical training and ship repair workshops, as well as promoting the improvement of skills among students in the Canaries’ capital, especially in intangible skills and techniques of repair and construction.
Indicators
FEMEPA is currently composed of 1,500 member companies, employing 20,000 workers in the province of Las Palmas. AENAUTICA is composed of more than 100 companies from the province.
FEMEPA received the International Award for Franco-Spanish Collaboration, granted by the Franco-Spanish Chamber of Commerce (Madrid, 2021), in recognition of the work of French and Spanish companies that contribute to fostering entrepreneurship, job creation, sustainability, and collaboration between the two countries.
References
— Federación provincial de la pequeña y mediana empresa del metal y nuevas tecnologías de Las Palmas (FEMEPA). https://femepa.org/web/
— Ramón Ojeda, A. & González Morales, A. 2019. “Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. La ciudad, su litoral y su puerto”, Investigaciones Geográficas, nº 71, 119-134.
— Rodríguez Zaragoza, J. D. 2022. Embarcaciones históricas y tradicionales de Canarias: construcción naval y carpintería de ribera en las islas. Canarias: Consejería de Turismo, Industria y Comercio, Dirección General de Ordenación y Promoción Turística.
— Romero Santana, F. M. 2021. Estudio de la competitividad internacional del sector de las reparaciones navales de Gran Canaria: propuestas estratégicas para el período 2020-2023. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Acceda, Open Scientific Documentation of the ULPGC.
FEMEPA (Provincial Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises of Metal and New Technologies of Las Palmas) is an independent business organisation that has been uniting entrepreneurs from the metal and new technologies sectors since 1977 through its various associations. As a non-profit entity, endowed with its own legal personality and full legal capacity, it carries out its activities within the territorial scope of the province of Las Palmas (Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura).
FEMEPA maintains a strong connection with the business ecosystem of the islands, where companies specialised in ship repairs and maintenance are located, including painting, carpentry, engine repair, and electrical systems. Additionally, it encompasses companies dedicated to the sale of equipment, sails, and accessories, all of which are grouped under the name AENAUTICA (Provincial Association of Companies in the Trade of Boats, Equipment, and Nautical Accessories).
As part of AENAUTICA's objective of internationalisation, FEMEPA has maintained ties with entrepreneurs in the nautical sector of the city of La Rochelle (France). In this French city, there is a long-standing tradition of shipbuilding related to the restoration and maintenance of vessels. Through this internationalisation process, one of FEMEPA's most significant actions has been to attempt to revive the craft of ship carpentry, a nearly extinct profession in the Canary Islands region, by providing professional training in La Rochelle.
Categories
Material and immaterial cultures
Time span
1977 to present
Risks and drawbacks
The development of this activity has revealed a series of issues common to all FEMEPA activities: a lack of efficient communication between the private sector and the administration (government). Greater openness and focused attention from the administration (local councils, regional ministries, etc.) towards the nautical business sector are needed.
Public policies
The Ciudad de Mar department of the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria maintains a collaboration agreement with FEMEPA. Among the actions planned in the educational sphere, this collaboration facilitates internship opportunities for foreign students—primarily from France, Portugal, and Ireland—in nautical training and ship repair workshops, as well as promoting the improvement of skills among students in the Canaries’ capital, especially in intangible skills and techniques of repair and construction.
Indicators
FEMEPA is currently composed of 1,500 member companies, employing 20,000 workers in the province of Las Palmas. AENAUTICA is composed of more than 100 companies from the province.
FEMEPA received the International Award for Franco-Spanish Collaboration, granted by the Franco-Spanish Chamber of Commerce (Madrid, 2021), in recognition of the work of French and Spanish companies that contribute to fostering entrepreneurship, job creation, sustainability, and collaboration between the two countries.
References
— Federación provincial de la pequeña y mediana empresa del metal y nuevas tecnologías de Las Palmas (FEMEPA). https://femepa.org/web/
— Ramón Ojeda, A. & González Morales, A. 2019. “Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. La ciudad, su litoral y su puerto”, Investigaciones Geográficas, nº 71, 119-134.
— Rodríguez Zaragoza, J. D. 2022. Embarcaciones históricas y tradicionales de Canarias: construcción naval y carpintería de ribera en las islas. Canarias: Consejería de Turismo, Industria y Comercio, Dirección General de Ordenación y Promoción Turística.
— Romero Santana, F. M. 2021. Estudio de la competitividad internacional del sector de las reparaciones navales de Gran Canaria: propuestas estratégicas para el período 2020-2023. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Acceda, Open Scientific Documentation of the ULPGC.