‘근대화산업유산’을 활용한 산업관광과 장소기억의 형해화

Selection of Place Memory and Industrial Tourism Using the ‘Modernization Industrial Heritage’ : Focusing on the Case of Besshi Mine in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture of Japan

This thesis examined the effects of industrial tourism using the modernization industrial heritage under the name of regional revitalization on the community, targeting Besshi Mine located in Niihama City of Ehime Prefecture. After Besshi Mine was abandoned, the local residents attempted to historicize the multi-layered memories related to the place of mine, by publishing publications containing all sorts of experiences and stories about Besshi Mine. They might be voluntarily describing the place memories due to the fear of losing all the personal and old memories because of the abandoned mine. In this aspect, to the local residents, Besshi Mine was not only a repository of memories containing diverse experiences of individuals, but also the site of historical perception to realize/commemorate the fact of war and compulsory mobilization. Since its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, the tourists of Maintopia Besshi have been increased because of the high popularity of industrial tourism. However, it is questionable if this trend would be sustainable. Moreover, considering the additional costs for repairing/maintaining the decrepit amenities and exhibition, it would be necessary to more closely think about how much the industrial tourism of Maintopia Besshi designed as resources for the regional revitalization could be economically contributing to the tourism industry and community.