Revaluating CUNA Places (CUltural Place of High Relevance for NAture): Rome as a Multifaced Example of Outstanding Values and Potentials

The Global Frameworks for Enhancing Natural and Cultural Capital, as ex- pressed in the Charter of Rome (2014), have relevant importance in the broader context of sustainable development goals (SDGs). The intricate connection between cultural and nat- ural heritage emerges in various documents from UNESCO, IUCN, and ICOMOS; how- ever, the categories and methods for their assessment are not completely defined. Evolv- ing from the concept of “mixed properties” used in the UNESCO definitions, we introduce the concept of CUNA places: cultural places of high relevance for nature. It provides a methodological tool for identifying and typifying these places based on their values, at- tributes, and significance. Then, we propose definitions and categories for three different CUNA typologies, comprising 16 categories, considering both tangible and intangible her- itage. We also provide a preliminary application to the city of Rome, where a rich histori- cal heritage intersects with outstanding natural values. All the typologies and categories of CUNA places are present in Rome, and further analysis could show the multifaced aspects represented here. On a broader scale, such an application offers the opportunity to enhance the heritages that could be valorized, strengthening the territorial identity, promoting sustainable development, and generating income for conservation efforts.