Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.59.2.8
To Live Inside Dubrovnik’s Historic Core – The Perspective of the Local Community
Nika Đuho
orcid.org/0000-0002-2603-3789
; Catholic University of Croatia, Department of Sociology, Zagreb, Croatia
Maja Golubić
; Catholic University of Croatia, Department of Sociology, Zagreb, Croatia
Karlo Tukša
; Catholic University of Croatia, Department of Sociology, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The aim of this paper was to explore the symbolic meanings and experience of life within
Dubrovnik’s historic core. Dubrovnik’s historic core has a difference in meaning compared to
other cities’ parts, and is today recognized as a popular tourist destination. The experience of
living within Dubrovnik’s old core was examined on the example of the local community – the
study included 9 participants who were born and are still living inside the historic core. As part
of this research, only qualitative methodology was used, in two phases. In the first phase of the
research, the technique of narrative urbanism was used - collecting data through a conversation
and walking around specific localities within the core, through which we were guided by
the participants themselves. In the second phase of the study, the technique of semi-structured
interview on the same sample of the local community was applied. The main findings suggest
that the main attraction of life is the availability of different contents and the ambiental distinctiveness
of the historic core. Nevertheless, it appears that the local community is becoming
a victim of their own history and culture, through examples of the usurpation of everyday life
and the perception of life in disappearance. The specific orientation of this research as well as
the statements of the participants can serve as a warning and starting point in identifying the
desirable transformational possibilities of Dubrovnik’s historic core with its dual role – as a
tourist destination and a desirable place of living. However, a more detailed analysis suggests
that the identity of the local community is not static, and that is realized through two complementary
categories: the category of local community and host community.
Keywords
Dubrovnik’s historic core; local community; narrative urbanism; city story
Hrčak ID:
265457
URI
Publication date:
12.11.2021.
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