Chapter 6: Co-construction of Visionary Anticipations Available to Purchase

​This chapter focus​es on the application of the Thread in the context of regional planning and development by the Department of Town Planning and Housing, part of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus. The area of study encompases fifteen wine villages spread on the mountain of Troodos. The challenge of addressing authentic public participation motivated the’ Ministry of Interior to apply The Thread for territorial cohesion. Territorial cohesion, place-based approach, and community-led local development are interlinked concepts employed in spatial planning. The concept of heritage acquires greater significance with the introduction of the territorial cohesion policy, when viewed in the context of the spread of globalization. Heritage is a major force, especially in declining rural areas. The chapter focuses on an innovative and effective way of public participation that allows the expression of citizens’ knowledge and preferences. The Thread was selected due to its efficiency in gathering the collective wisdom of a wide range of different stakeholders, regardless of their educational and cultural background. It supported structuring the stakeholder’ ideas on the current situation (problems), the desired situation (vision), and actions/options to achieve it. More than 150 individuals from about 60 different organizations were engaged in twelve Co-laboratories. The Thread enabled the co-construction of a visionary anticipation and an action plan for attaining it.