The “Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato”: New Identities and Continuation of a Cultural Landscape

Abstract

Drawing upon the previous chapters, the significance of identity emerges as a crucial factor in the preservation and continuity of a cultural landscape. Consequently, gaining an understanding of migratory phenomena becomes pertinent for exploring future prospects concerning the social dimension of the socio-ecological system. In the context of the “Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato,” individuals from North Macedonia represent the most prominent ethnic group in terms of population within two cities that fall under the purview of the UNESCO site’s six components. To shed light on their perception of the landscape in which they reside and work, qualitative questionnaires were submitted to these newcomers. Additionally, local communities were also invited to participate in the same questionnaire, facilitating a comparative analysis between the two social groups. Furthermore, the owners of wineries within the UNESCO site were included in the questionnaire to ascertain potential variations in responses between qualified and non-qualified participants. In total, 452 volunteers contributed their perspectives, highlighting diverse interpretations of landscape-related transformations. The findings reveal distinct patterns in terms of the sense of belonging and rootedness, perceptions of the local landscape and its alterations, the role of vineyard landscape management as a stakeholder, integration and community cohesion, as well as prospects for future generations in the medium to long term, and prospects for the present generation in the short term.