02147nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653003800055653001900093653003100112100001800143700001900161245006000180856015300240300001200393490000600405520152200411020002001933                                       d  bSpringer10aMoldovan national planning system10aUrban planning10aUrban planning legislation1 aGruia Badescu1 aCatalina Preda00aMoldovan Cultural Territorial Systems First Experiences  uhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85052378180&doi=10.1007%2f978-3-319-20753-7_16&partnerID=40&md5=033a7924dd94ec3bfdd758fb7d53816f  a215-2390 v13 aPlanning and heritage policies in independent Moldova must be seen in the context of a multilayered, turbulent transition reflecting an economic downfall, territorial instability, and a fluctuating political identity. Despite political and economic turmoil, Moldova’s planning and heritage legislation was harmonized with European practices. Nevertheless, holes in legislation as well as the incongruence of law and practice have led to abuses and damage to Moldova’s heritage and to planning obstacles. Regarding the shift in scale from the national level to the southern district of Cahul, this chapter further discusses the challenges of planning and heritage in a rural area with rich intangible heritage but with a poor infrastructure and severely low budget. The local-level analysis also suggests ambivalence toward built heritage as well as the predicament of public participation. The implementation of a cultural territorial system approach in the Cahul district, to link natural and cultural heritage, spatial planning, and local stakeholders, is discussed as an opportunity for local and community development. A discussion of various actions—including mapping heritage and landscape, building local networks, and geotourism as a relevant development paradigm and a catalyst approach—suggests that even with few financial resources, rural regions and small historic centres can approach creatively and successfully the promotion of local development through a cultural territorial system approach.  a2194315X (ISSN)