Cultural heritage as a key to engagement and participation in Learning Cities programmes

Cultural heritage emerges as a pivotal element in fostering engagement and participation within Learning Cities programmes, serving as a catalyst for urban learning ecosystems. The study re-examines the case of Mantua and Sabbioneta, initially part of the Mobartech industrial research project, to demonstrate how cultural heritage—both tangible and intangible—can drive collective action when paired with participatory interpretation methods. Despite not being designed as a Learning City initiative, its institutional collaboration (involving municipalities and UNESCO offices) and inclusive approach to heritage interpretation revealed significant evaluative potential for urban learning frameworks. This underscores the need for tailored mechanisms to assess such processes effectively.

De Nicola, A., & Zuccoli, F. (2026). Cultural heritage as a key to engagement and participation in Learning Cities programmes. Form@Re - Open Journal per La Formazione in Rete, 26(1), 229–237. https://doi.org/10.36253/form-19784