Project Methodology, Implementation and Deliverables

Considering that cultural heritage plays an important role in the economic, cultural and social revitalization of urban peripheries, the project analyzes the challenges and possibilities of heritage development in the urban fringes of Una Europa cities. Our approach is interdisciplinary (geography, economy, history of art…) and intersectoral (scholars, local stakeholders, culture and heritage institutions, NGOs…).

The project consists of:

1. Analysis and digital documenting of the defined case studies in each city/metropolis by the dedicated local teams and associated Master students that is currently taking place. Through bibliographic research, media analysis and interviews with stakeholders, we research the on-going urban dynamics, heritagization processes and different aspects of redevelopment approaches.

2. The next step will focus on comparing the case studies – the local teams will compare processes of heritagization. They will document and analyse encounters and disagreements around the heritage of these areas to lay the foundations for the “dynamic production” of new cultural heritages. They will compare how cultural heritage emerges from public activism and participation based on the study of “institutional” projects to revitalize cultural heritage in the 8 case studies of urban fringes and suburbs: social housing, industrial heritage and even spaces of recent historical memory (related for example to the workers’ struggle, and neighborhood associationism.

3. Finally, the third phase will be dedicated to the dissemination of results – the works will allow producing a first draft of a position paper/manifesto on cultural heritage of urban fringes. It will be presented and discussed during a workshop bringing together the local teams and stakeholders. The final position paper/manifesto will also be presented at a press conference. Furthermore, the results will also be published in a special issue in an open-sciences journal.

Deliverables

A 2-days workshop on “Heritage at the edge”

The Workshop (Paris, March 17-18, 2022), will bring together the researchers as well as the associated local authorities and stakeholders.

The added value of the WS rests on its capacity of offering a transversal, international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral gaze in areas which are/will be determinant for the urban/metropolitan future of all our cities.

A special issue in an open-sciences journal

A call for papers will be issued on the basis of the Workshop. It will be addressed to participating researchers within Una Europa as well as researchers beyond our own grouping working on cultural heritage in urban peripheries.

A Manifesto / Position paper for Cultural Heritage on urban fringes co-signed by colleagues from all 8 universities

Today, cultural heritage on urban fringes represents, for the local and regional communities, an opportunity for a holistic, dynamic and organic urban narrative. This is a chance for contemporary metropolises and their inhabitants. This implies however a new gaze on heritage, sensitive to urban stratification and the understanding of the multiple connexions between cultural heritage, sustainable development and societal and human wellbeing. The Manifesto will be presented in a press conference (Paris or Brussels) at the end of the project.