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Globalization and Cultural Heritage - The Case of Split

Although there is no strict definition of the term, nor the clear answer to the question “ What is globalization?” ; there is a widespread notion that “ One cannot stay aside” . Globalization is characterized by communication flows of people, capital and ideas ; changes in means of production and changes in the role of the cities. Information technology and knowledge are gaining new important roles, cultural phenomena are being deterritorialized. Cities and places are becoming alike, and networks of cities are being formed. New actors are included into the process of urban planning and development. It is quite clear which cities can be considered global cities and what is their role in globalized world. On the other hand, the role of small cities is not clear, while they are without doubts influenced by the process of globalization. This may be especially problematic in cases of cities rich with heritage where global influences can be a threat to local identities and cultural milieus. Preserving the identity of place may be the only way of getting a place in the network of global cities, where everything seems similar but individual differences create attractions. The case of Split is analyzed since it represents a good example of post-socialist-period transitional city largely influenced by regional changes and global impacts. The present position of city is characterized by changed regional position of the city, almost total deindustrialization and changes in social structure and urban governance. The new role of the city in the post-industrial period needs to be defined. New actors in urban development of Split include big international investors that are making their projects with no regard to local conditions. While future of the city cannot be imagined without these private investments, in a city that lacks planning vision (as it is the case in Split) it is also a big threat to the local identity. The identity that is based on rich cultural heritage and that is the only certain basis for the future. The global capital has global models of flow, but in the cities like Split it is the public sector management that has the irreplaceable role for defining a general strategy of development on a city scale and for the protection of public interests in various development projects. This, unfortunately, was not the case in Split. Fortunately on the other hand, globalization also brings unification in terms of new actors in urban planning that are gaining important role in the development process. New “ power parallelogram” includes non-government and non-profit agencies as well as the no-more silent public opinion that are not only profit-oriented. So far, this is the only guarantee for avoidance of mistakes that could threat the future of the city, and that are already drawn in one of the global offices of global investors.

globalization; urban planning; Split

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