KTU experts reveal why cultural heritage is important for community unity

(Press-News.org) Why do some communities unite in times of crisis, while others fall apart? The study of Kaunas University of Technology researchers revealed a surprising link – cultural heritage is not just a historical asset, but also a powerful tool that helps people build a sense of belonging and act collectively when challenges arise.

Along with trust and emotional attachment to place, it becomes a foundation for communities to care for their environment, maintain relationships, and respond to crises together.

“A resilient community is a group of people who can unite, work together to overcome challenges, and care for their surroundings and neighbourhood. It doesn’t mean there are no problems or that all issues can be solved, but a resilient community looks for solutions and maintains relationships even in difficult times,” says Eglė Januškienė a PhD student at KTU, co-author of the study on resilient communities.

According to the study, the resilient communities are open, interconnected, and willing to share responsibility. In contrast, vulnerable communities often experience isolation, lack of information, and a sense of helplessness.

Cultural heritage as a foundation for resilience

Interestingly, the KTU study revealed that cultural heritage plays a vital role in fostering community resilience. “Cultural heritage is a key part of a vibrant community identity – it helps people understand both their uniqueness and their connectedness,” says Indrė Gražulevičiūtė-Vileniškė, associate professor at KTU.

According to her, cultural heritage forms the foundation of community identity, nurturing a sense of place, continuity, ownership, and belonging. Preserving heritage not only strengthens historical ties but also promotes trust, collective responsibility, and shared vision for the future – qualities that help communities withstand external pressures.

Emotional attachment to a place also matters. As Dr Aušra Mlinkauskienė, associate professor at KTU and one of the authors of the study, explains, when people take care of parks, old buildings, or symbolic sites, they reinforce their bond with the environment and create traditions that are passed down through generations. This encourages volunteering, builds social capital, strengthens trust, and boosts a community’s ability to address local issues independently.

Invisible factors such as a sense of belonging, local spirit, and social ties are just as important. Though absent from budgets and city plans, they are crucial for mobilising communities in times of crisis. “These are the elements that often ensure unity, mutual support, and creative problem-solving,” says Gražulevičiūtė-Vileniškė.

Another key ingredient of resilience is trust. “Trust among community members and between citizens and institutions acts like glue – it helps communities come together more quickly and solve problems more effectively,” says Prof. Dr Lina Šeduikytė. She emphasises that trust is not just an emotion – it’s a structural element that enables responsible, efficient action, especially in times of need. The more transparency, inclusion, and dialogue there are between institutions and citizens, the stronger and more resilient the community becomes.

A rich heritage but limited citizen power

While cultural heritage and trust are crucial, true resilience also requires genuine public involvement in city planning and decision-making. The KTU researchers and foreign partners conducted a study in Lithuania as part of the Erasmus+ project UPRUN. The study found that although Lithuanians value their heritage and environment, many feel powerless to influence their surroundings.

“Urban planning may include formal surveys, but real opportunities to participate are often lacking. There’s little feedback, and information doesn’t always reach everyone. This causes frustration and erodes trust in institutions,” says Dr Mlinkauskienė.

Gražulevičiūtė-Vileniškė adds that true inclusion goes beyond surveys – it requires meaningful engagement in decision-making, workshops, and interactive platforms where people’s ideas are seen and implemented.

Researchers from KTU’s Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture (SAF) stress that participation must be inclusive – not just for the most active or educated citizens. Information should be accessible in different formats, both online and in person. “We have to go to the people, not wait for them to come to us,” says Januškienė. According to her, resilience begins with listening, empathy, and recognising diversity as a strength.

Many other European cities face similar challenges – passivity, limited engagement, mistrust of institutions, and planning processes that exclude real community input.

“Studying communities in Lithuania is a particularly valuable case because it reflects the broader situation in many post-communist countries – there is a rich heritage and active local communities, but also structural barriers to full citizen participation. It’s akin to a laboratory of transition, where old governance models collide with the demands of modern citizenship and democracy,” says Prof. Šeduikytė.

She believes that a resilient city is not a utopian dream – it’s an achievable goal. It’s a city where citizens are engaged, and heritage is not just a museum exhibit, but a living part of the urban fabric.

“Such cities are not built by one big decision, but through many small, purposeful steps – honest dialogue, trust-building, and collaborative initiatives. This is how we create the city of the future, where the community is not just a bystander, but an active creator,” she says.

The article Fostering Resilient Communities Through the Interaction of Heritage, Policy, and Participation: Insights from a Lithuanian Case Study, is available here.

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