Classified "A" by ANVUR in the fields 11/D1, 11/D2 Scientific in the field 14.
Abstract:
This article applies the construct of the 'learning city' to the context of territorial communities. These communities, facing difficulties resulting from marginalization processes—a consequence of globalization which has concentrated opportunities and wealth in predominantly urban hubs—seek to devise strategies for resistance and revitalization. They do so by identifying opportunities for sustainable local development, relying on their specific characteristics, which can attract alternative forms of tourism as opposed to the 'extractive' ones linked to the 'showcasing' (vetrinizzazione) of places. The article highlights the educational role that can be played in supporting awareness-building and self-agency within these small communities, also considering the contribution of 'smart' strategies in enhancing their tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Realizing that the true wealth of small communities lies precisely in the community bond brings with it the commitment to preserve it. From this awareness and commitment, strategies aimed at identifying potential opportunities for local development emerge. When speaking of local development, one is not simply looking at the economic impacts of the actions implemented, but also (and above all) at the social, cultural, and educational ones. The article discusses these themes by presenting a case study in which its authors have been involved for several years, supporting the active valorization of the cultural assets of the communities in southeastern Salento. This is achieved through the creation of an Ecomuseum, conceived – drawing on insights from community museology – as a tool for transforming cultural heritage into a strategic resource. The aim is to stimulate widespread engagement capable of directing the efforts of citizens, associations, and institutions toward shared objectives. In this way, cultural heritage can become a fulcrum for social cohesion, innovation (social, technological, economic), and community self-education, key elements of smart communities.
