The Post-Industrial Landscapes of Central Urals, Russia: Heritage Value, Tourist Potential, and Unrealized Opportunities

Abstract

The focus of present study is the Central Urals region of Russia known for its abundant industrial and mining heritage, dating back to the eighteenth century. After decades of contempt and physical neglect, industrial heritage sites in Russia, and specifically in the Central Urals, are gaining notable interest. However, the tremendous tourist opportunities in the Central Urals are hampered by the lack of tourist infrastructure, deficit of support from local authorities, and shortage of advertisement and visibility. This case study shows how the interplay of local perceptions and business interests in the post-Soviet space defines the pace of change. The authors’ recommendations for revitalizing industrial and mining heritage tourism in the Central Urals are three-fold: improving the quality of domestic tourist sites and amenities before appealing to the international tourist community, pursuing the intersectoral cooperation of various interested actors including regional and local administration, private businesses, investors, and residents, and, finally, obtaining the UNESCO status for numerous unique industrial heritage sites in the region.