Inclusive development & civic wealth in UNESCO sites. A pilot project to regenerate the stables of the Duke Federico da Montefeltro in Urbino

The study focuses on how local administrations can activate and foster the process of linking cultural heritage to civic wealth creation by engaging different stakeholders in urban regeneration initiatives. The research design relies on the observation of a project known as “the Relaunch of the DATA space” – the stables of the Duke Federico da Montefeltro – in Urbino (Italy). The premises that activated local communities to collaborate on the project have been reconstructed and interpreted under the theoretical lens of civic wealth creation. The methodology adopted to reconstruct the processes put in place, the premises and factors that activated the mechanisms supposed to create civic wealth and the outcomes generated, was based on a qualitative approach. Multiple sources (both primary and secondary sources) were used to grasp stakeholders’ opinions on culture-led regeneration initiatives and to identify approaches for citizen engagement, including semi-structured interviews addressed to key actors involved in the project, analysis of public documents and public discussions, municipality website and the city strategic plan. Findings highlight that the rediscovery and reuse of one’s cultural heritage rooted in a common identity may become the glue that favours networking and the community’s wellbeing. However, as civic wealth creation requires the key stakeholders’ expectations come together, our case study reveals that collaboration among stakeholders strongly necessitates the support of the local administration as a facilitator/orchestrator, pursuing balance among different visions and needs over time.