Profile

Biography

I obtained my degree in Conservation of Architectural and Environmental Heritage from Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria (Italy) in 2006, followed by a PhD entitled ‘Decision Support Tools for Cultural Heritage Management’ which I received from the same University in 2011. My PhD research focus was on the cultural landscape of the “Calabrian Greek Area” (Italy), designing a cultural heritage management plan, with a view to studying processes of territorial changes, the theme of sustainable development and the revitalization of the "sense of place".

I am currently undertaking a two year POR FSE 2007/2013 Post Doctoral Fellowship. My research project attempts to reveal the underlying structures through which cultural landscape plays a role in communities. It is concerned with the relations between people and the landscape they inhabit. The case studies selected are Museum Gardens and King’s Manor in York and Potternewton Park in Leeds.

Publications

Selected publications

• CASSALIA G., MALASPINA M. (2010), “Spring School in local development: valutazioni e governance” in LaborEst n°5 - Laruffa editore, Reggio Calabria, IT, 54-61; 
  
• CASSALIA G. (2009), “I siti UNESCO: il ruolo del patrimonio immateriale identitario nei processi di sviluppo locale”, in LaborEst n°3 - Laruffa editore, Reggio Calabria, IT, 66-69;
  

Full publications list

• MOLLICA E., CASSALIA G., ET ALIA (in press), Programmazione e governance per lo sviluppo locale. Percorsi di ricerca per un manuale di tutela e valorizzazione del territorio, Laruffa editore, Reggio Calabria, IT;
  
•  CASSALIA G., ET ALIA (2010), “Analisi a scala architettonica delle trasformazioni antropiche”,65-68, “Il rilevo geometrico e materico dell’edificio” 103-106, in: BIANCO A., GULLÌ M. E POSTORINO A. (edited by), Linee guida per il recupero dei centri storici di Palizzi e Pietrapennata, Laruffa editore, Reggio Calabria, IT;
  
• CASSALIA G., ET ALIA (2010),“Spring School for Local Development 2011: i risultati delle attività didattico - laboratoriali e gli scenari per la valorizzazione di Africo “Antico””, in LaborEst n°6 - Laruffa editore, Reggio Calabria, IT, 32-40;
  
• CASSALIA G., SAPONE A. (2010),“La diffusione della conoscenza del patrimonio identitario come strumento per la conservazione del patrimonio storico-culturale: percorsi di laboratorio nella Vallata del Gallico”, in LaborEst n°6 - ISBN 978-88-7221-380-3 - Laruffa editore, Reggio Calabria, IT, 26-31;
• CASSALIA G. (2009), “Il Festival, la comunità locale e il turismo culturale: DEAfest 2009, risultati e scenari per una nuova programmazione”, in LaborEst n°4 - Laruffa editore, Reggio Calabria, IT, 57-61;
  
• 
  
• CASSALIA G., CALARCO M., MALASPINA M., VENTURA C., (2008), “Il Laboratorio Territoriale PACE”, in LaborEst n°2 - Laruffa editore, Reggio Calabria, IT, 22-26;
  
• CASSALIA G. (2008), “DeaFest2008, Festival della Natura, della Cultura e delle Tradizioni nella Vallata del Gallico”, in LaborEst n°2 - Laruffa editore, Reggio Calabria, IT, 96-98;
  
• CASSALIA G., ET ALIA (2008), “Attività di animazione territoriale: progetti volti alla valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale della Vallata del Gallico”, in LaborEst n°1 - Laruffa editore, Reggio Calabria, IT, 17-20;
  
• CASSALIA G., ET ALIA (2007), “Riqualificare l’esistente : comfort termoigrometrico e ripristino strutturale”, in Ponte, n° 10, Ottobre 2006, ISSN 1129 – 3918 - Dei Tipografia del genio civile, Roma, IT, 11-19;
  
• CASSALIA G., ET ALIA (2007), “La stima dei costi nella riqualificazione dell’esistente”, in Ponte, gennaio/febbraio 2007 - Dei Tipografia del genio civile, Roma, IT, n° 1/2, 15-19.
  

Research

Overview

My research aims to define needs, context and programmatic responses, based on local resources and on enabling sustainable forms of economy, the rediscovery of local identity, and the conservation of cultural heritage and environment, through direct interaction between communities and their landscape, environment, culture, traditions and local development.

Since 2006 I have been associated with PAU Department of Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria (Italy), where my research interests are focused on the conservation and enhancement of Calabrian cultural heritage. I am a member of LaborEst research staff (Laboratory of Economics and Estimative Ratings) working on the design of technical-scientific tools of participatory planning and sustainable local development processes.

I am also part of the journal staff for “LaborEst journal - pages of Economics and evaluation of plans, programs and projects”, founded by Prof. Edoardo Mollica in 2008, aimed at professionals, technicians of Public Administrations, as well as the academic and scientific sectors.

Current projects

" Cultural Landscape Management Plan for the "Greek Area" (Calabria, Italy) ". Decision support tools and the cultural heritage management within the involvement and participation of local communities;

"Restoration and conservation of the abandoned village of Africo Antico (Calabria, Italy)”. Local identity, value, intangible heritage and community “sense of place”;

“The role of universities in territorial development: Spring School in Local Development and Aspromonte National Park”. Living learning student placement and knowledge exchange, planning the conservation and enhancement of the cultural heritage of the National Park;

"DEAfest festival of nature, culture and traditions of the Gallico Valley”. A festival to promote local and cultural resources.

Research group(s)

Conservation and Heritage Management

Teaching

Undergraduate

External activities

Memberships