Heritage assessment of the landscape and its hydraulic architecture: methodological application in Mula (Murcia region, Spain)

The use of water and its management has always been an articulating element of the territory. However, there is not much work on cataloging these infrastructures. The object of the research has been the design and development of a methodology for characterization and assessment of the hydraulic heritage in the traditional landscape of the orchard. A methodology applied to the landscape and traditional hydraulic architecture in the municipality of Mula (Region of Murcia), where there are constructions such as weirs, ditches, splitters, waterwheels or drainage galleries. The results show the importance of hydraulic heritage in the configuration of the landscape. However, it has been proven that this heritage has less social recognition. Within this group it is evident that the functional infrastructures show a higher heritage consideration. On the contrary, the lack of use of buildings, even though they have some form of protection, leads to deterioration and oblivion. From geographical analysis, it is necessary to value this type of heritage, today relegated by new uses of water.