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Tourism, land use changes and cultural heritage of the Primošten-Rogoznica coastal area (Littoral Croatia)

Primošten and Rogoznica are the two southern most coastal municipalities in the Šibenik-Knin County in the central part of Littoral Croatia. Both were traditional agricultural and fishery communities however since the 1960s both are experiencing significant spatial and social changes due to the development of tourism. The aim of this research is to analyze land use changes between the 1960s and today. Tourism is driving force of land use change in these communities during this timeframe. Land use patterns from agricultural landscape can be considered an aspect of cultural heritage. Features of Mediterranean agricultural areas like traditional stone architecture (houses and drystone walls) or agricultural planting patterns (vineyards and olive groves) are very pronounced in Primošten-Rogoznica area. A mixed method research design was used to analyse land use change in the study area. Tourist activities data was obtained from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics and georeferenced aerial photo and cadaster GIS data were also gathered. All the data was spatial registered and organized in a GIS database for analysis. Results showed that during the timeframe of the change detection, farmland was abandoned and depopulation of the hinterland areas around Primošten and Rogoznica occurred. Also during this timeframe an increased saturation of the narrow coastal belt took place. Numerous rental houses were built in the region and altered the traditional landscape. The driving factor of change, sea and sun, can no long support increased development in the study area. For continued growth in Primošten and Rogoznica the surrounding hinterland needs to be examined. Some development steps have already been undertaken by local stakeholders regarding rural tourism, but further development can focus on the landscape factors of the region's cultural heritage. This development will need to done in a sustainable manner to preserve the Primošten-Rogoznica area.

tourism, land use changes, cultural heritage, Primošten, Rogoznica

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