Local inventory of 214 roads collects oral accounts and details heritage elements

The Office of Heritage of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that the inventory phase of the island's first catalogue of roads is complete. The project is spearheaded by CINESI, a transport and mobility consultancy, and, as Raquel Guasch, heritage councillor, explained, "it will document existing local roads and highlight elements such as dry stone walls, drainage systems, water use and cobblestone sections that tell part of featured entries' story as assets of the island's heritage". Currently, the inventory encompasses 214 roads with more than 220 linear kilometres.

After the current phase, a multidisciplinary team made up of engineers, geographers, anthropologists, historians and jurists will document and take inventory of geometric characteristics like widths, road surfaces, state of preservation, as well as walls and other elements. They will document the oral history of roads based on key local accounts and compile documentary and cartographic mention of the same. Lastly, when applicable, they will analyse legal aspects of some roads. Some 15 interviews have already focused on collecting oral accounts. In its final form, the document will be structured into summary sheets bringing together all related information on each road, as well as a detailed plan with georeferenced information and photos.

In the words of Councillor Guasch, the roughly three year project "will leave Formentera with a tool that is essential to grasping our history".

CINESI consultancy benefits from the collaboration of Observatori de la Vida Quotidiana, Francesca Bayre, Sònia Roura and Clavell Canals Consulting.

21 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera