Protection of landscape and cultural heritage in the process of economic fertilization in Specchia (Italy)

The contribution focuses attention on the meaning to the concept of environmental and cultural heritage. This heritage proposes a concept related to natural membership, to the territory as a cultural capital and resource potential, but also dependent on the will of appreciation by the local community, through its ability to collect and exploit and willingness to give identity of communities organized to a certain geographic area that is characterized not only for the simple combination of natural and cultural conditions, but also for the presence of socio-cultural character, generated by time. This recognition by local communities, makes the process of anthropization of a territory more sustainable over time and guarantee of protection against damage caused by ignorance and disregard of environmental goods and cultural rights. In addition, the ability to promote heritage cognitive, technological and cultural and the ability to respond in an innovative way to the changes represent the factors of greater competitiveness and attractiveness of the territories. In the development of this heritage lies the possibility of incorporating positive energy in the local economy also for tourist use, graft mechanisms virtuous construction and promotion outside of a new territorial identity and to achieve initiatives they see as protagonists local action groups. This issue is analyzed through an example of exploitation of the village of Specchia in the south of Italy, where recovery and enhancement of heritage and activation of the local economy, the second integrated projects, in an area of the province of Lecce, representing not only a reality but also a good practice to be transferred.