The Impact of Urbanization and Human Activities on the Preservation of Fortresses in the Wine-Growing Regions of the Danube

Jovanović, Radmila and Manić, Emilija (2025) The Impact of Urbanization and Human Activities on the Preservation of Fortresses in the Wine-Growing Regions of the Danube. In: Transformative Power of Travelling: From Research to Discovery Experience : Proceedings of the E-ROUTES Project Conference, Golubac, Serbia, June 5–6, 2025. Serbian Library Association, Belgrade, pp. 229-244. ISBN 978-86-87177-25-3

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Abstract

Cultural heritage in Serbia has significant potential for tourism development, either as an independent and leading tourism product or as part of an integrated tourism offering at a specific destination. However, it is often the case that in the process of creating the tourism offer of various destinations, cultural heritage is insufficiently emphasized or inadequately protected in situations where it is exposed to greater human activity impacts. This article researches the impact of urbanization and human activities on elements of cultural heritage in Serbia, using the example of fortresses in the wine-growing regions of the Danube. Wine-growing areas in Serbia are increasingly becoming tourist destinations, and their tourism value is further enhanced through the proper valorization of the cultural heritage found within them. Therefore, it is possible to speak of the combined impact of human activity on both the areas themselves and the cultural heritage elements within them. The paper analyzes the wine-growing areas in the Danube Region (Srem, Belgrade, Smederevo, and Negotin), focusing on fortresses as examples of cultural heritage. The Human Influence Index (HII) was used to identify the vulnerability zones of the wine-growing areas and the fortresses within them, ranging from significant, partial, or minimal changes caused by urbanization and human activity. The results of the HII analysis showed that the fortresses in Petrovaradin, Belgrade, and Smederevo are in the zone of highest vulnerability, where urbanization and human influence are most pronounced (fortresses of exceptional significance). The Fetislam Fortress is in a moderate vulnerability zone (a fortress of great significance), which would also apply to the fortresses in Bač and Golubac, while the Ram Fortress is in the zone of lowest vulnerability (fortress of lesser significance). The findings provide a solid foundation for improving the monitoring and management of human impact in tourist destinations, with a focus on potential changes in the level of protection for elements of natural and cultural heritage.

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