The Spatial Turn in the Heritage Field : A case study of the Arctic during the crisis of places.

Abstract: Modern research on the shared points of natural and cultural heritage has opened new opportunities for the investigation of the dimensions of this natureculture phenomenon. Theo bjective of this study is to develop this subject by analysing the dialogue between the most critical human geographies and the heritage field. The theories on social space and place, non-places, liminality or phenomenological dwelling help both to find the character of a place and observe threats in the crisis of “loss of place” processes under postmodern conditions. These background phenomena that I name here as the Spatial Turn is linked to the heritage field through the (2008) Québec Declaration on the Preservation of Spirit of Place. This heritage factor in the search for the Spirit of Place is put into practice with the Arctic region as a case study. Analysing the Spirit of Place of the area, we shall also search for some of the threats and prospects for the region that will see the most changes in its natural and cultural heritage in the next years.